911 


!    ' 


i      •  ill  illl'»|! 


C.  K.  UUUll,iN 


ELOCUTION; 


OR, 


MENTAL  AND  VOCAL  PHILOSOPHY: 

INVOLVING  THE  PRINCIPLES  OF 

READING  AND  SPEAKING; 


AND  DESIGNED 


FOR  THE  DEVELOPMENT  AND  CULTIVATION 


BOTH  BODY  AND  MIND, 


IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH  THE 


NATURE,  USES,  AND  DESTINY  OF  MAN : 


ILLUSTRATED  BY 


TWO  OR  THREE  HUNDRED  CHOICE  ANECDOTES  ; 

THREE  THOUSAND  ORATORICAL  AND  POETICAL  READINGS;  FIVE  THOUSAND 

PROVERBS,  MAXIMS  AND  LACONICS,  AND  SEVERAL  HUNDRED 

ELEGANT  ENGRAVINGS. 


BY  C.   P.  BRON^ON,  A.  M.,  M.  D. 


24th  EDITION—TWENTY  FIFTH  THOUSAND. 


LOUISVILLE :  MORTON  &  GRISWOLD. 

NEW  YORK :    A.  S.  BARNES  &  CO. PHILADELPHIA  :    THOMAS, 

COWPERTHWAITE  &  CO.,  AND  GRIGG  &  ELLIOTT. 
BOSTON  :    OTIS  BROADERS  &  CO. 


ADVERTISEMENT. 


THE  FUNDAMENTAL  PRINCIPLES  OF  THIS  SYSTEM. 

Some  years  ago,  the  Author  was  extensively  engaged  as  a  Public  Speaker ; 
and,  in  consequence  of  the  habit  of  speaking,  principally,  with  the  muscles  of 
the  throat  and  breast,  he  finally  broke  down, — falling  senseless,  after  speaking 
about  an  hour  and  a  half:  that  was  followed  by  a  protracted  illness;  during 
which,  he  providentially  discovered  the  Causes,  and  also  the  Remedies,  of  the  dif- 
ficulties under  which  he  had  labored;  and  now,  for  months  in  succession,  by  the 
aid  of  these  principles,  he  often  speaks  from  six  to  ten  hours  a  day,  without  the 
least  inconvenience:  the  principal  cause  of  which  is,  that  the  effort  is  made 
from  the  dorsal  and  abdominal  region.  Few  are  aware  of  the  comprehensive 
nature  of  the  principles  here  partially  unfolded  ;  and  probably  the  Author  would 
now  be  in  a  similar  state,  had  it  not  been  for  the  teachings  afforded  by  children 
and  Indians.  To  secure  a  perfectly  healthy  distribution  of  the  vital  fluids 
throughout  the  body,  and  a  free  and  powerful  activity  of  the  mind,  there  must 
be  a  full  and  synchronous  action  in  the  brain,  the  lungs,  and  the  viscera  of  the 
abdomen;  the  soul  operating,  naturally,  on  the  dorsal  and  abdominal  muscles, 
and  thus  setting  in  motion  the  whole  body. 

That  he  was  the  first  to  teach  the  specific  use  of  those  muscles,  for  a  healthy 
breathing,  and  the  exercise  of  the  vocal  organs,  as  well  as  blowing  on  wind  in- 
struments for  hours  together,  without  injury,  he  has  not  the  least  doubt;  and,  if 
any  person  will  produce  evidence  to  the  contrary,  from  any  medical  writer,  or 
teacher  of  elocution,  previous  to  1830,  he  shall  be  handsomely  rewarded.  The 
time  is  fast  approaching,  when  this,  and  its  kindred  subjects,  will  be  duly  ap- 
preciated ;  and  it  will  be  seen  and  felt,  that  without  a  practical  knowledge  of 
these  important  principles,  no  one  can  become  a  successful  speaker,  or  teacher : 
and  the  opinion  is  advisedly  expressed,  that  they  will  produce  as  great  a  revo- 
lution in  regard  to  the  promotion  of  health,  the  art  of  reading  and  speaking  with 
science  and  effect,  and  the  perfect  development  and  cultivation  of  mind,  voice, 
and  ear, — as  the  discovery  of  the  mariner's  compass,  or  the  invention  of  the 
steam  engine,  in  navigation,  manufacture,  and  travel ; — and,  to  be  the  medium 
of  introducing  such  a  system,  by  which  so  many  thousands  have  been  greatly 
benefited,  and  hundreds  of  lives  saved,  is  the  occasion  of  devout  gratitude  to  the 
Infinite  Author  of  all  that  is  good  and  true. 

i 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1845,  by  C.  P.  Brobtson, 
In  the  Clerk's  office  for  the  District  Court  of  Kentucky. 


Stereotyped  by  J.  A.  James,  Cincinnati. 
Printed  by  Morton  &  Griswold,  Louisville,  Ky 


r  iv 

41! 

B*7 

(8 


vmyt~  

santa  bakbabj 


See  the    last  Page.  3 

Testimonials  and  References.  Ition,  combined  with  other  causes,  oroduccd  bronchi 

Five  classes  were  formed  in  the  Academical  de-|tis>  from  w'lich  l  nave  Deen  suffering  more  than  18 
partmcnt  of  Yale  College,  and  three  in  the  Theolog-  months-.     By  your  directions,  1  can  speak  and  sing 


ical  Department.    The  following  is  an  extract  from 
the  testimonials  of  the  latter: 

Resolved,  That  we  consider  his  system  exceeding- 
ly well  adapted  to  develop  and  train  the  voice,  and 
give  expression  to  the  passions ;  and  we  believe  it 
calculated  to  promote  the  health  of  public  speakers. 
Being  persuaded  that  we  have  derived  essential  ad 
vantage  from  his  instructions,  we  hereby  express 
our  thanks  for  the  assiduity  and  skill  with  which  he 
has  directed  us  in  our  practice,  and  most  cordially 
recommend  him  to  the  patronage  of  all  who  would 
cultivate  their  voices  witii  a  view  to  public  speakin. 

Extract  — From  Professors  of  Princeton  College 
and  Theological  Seminary,  N.J. — We  have  had  good 
opportunities  for  witnessing  the  success  of  Mr  Bron 
son.  His  method  of  using  the  organs  of  speech  with 
most  advantage,  is  preferable  to  any  we  have  known 
He  is  distinguished  from  other  teachers  of  elocution 
by  the  fact,  that  instead  of  trying  to  impart  his  own 
style  of  declamation,  he  aims  at  cultivating  the  voice 
and  then  leaves  the  pupil  to  nature. 

Extract. — From  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bingham,  Marietta, 
O.  to  Professor  Stuart,  Andover,  Mass. — "  Will  you 
permit  u.e  to  introduce  to  your  acquaintance,  Prof. 
Bronson,  a  popular  and  successful  Lecturer  on  Elo- 
cution. He  has  been  for  some  time  past,  lecturing 
to  the  Professors  and  students  in  this  College.  As 
a  Lecturer  on  Elocution  I  have  never  seen  his  supe- 
rior. Our  Professors,  who  have  been  under  the  in 
struction  of  Dr  Barber,  say  the  same.  lie  has  made 
his  subject  one  of  very  thorough  study — and,  what 
is  best  of  all,  he  has  studied  Nature 

Extract — From  the  Facultv  of  Marietta  College, 
Ohio. — "  Prof.  Bronson  has  just  closed  a  very  suc- 
cessful course  of  instruction  on  Elocution  in  thi; 
6titution.  The  principles  which  he  teaches  appear 
to  be  founded  on  a  philosophical  view  of  man.  His 
illustrations  are  copious  and  pertinent;  and  in  his  la- 
bors to  train  the  voice  and  develop  and  cultivate 
the  affections  and  passions  he  is  indefatigable.  His 
whole  course  of  instruction  is  marked  by  a  rigid 
deference  to  Natnre,  and  is  truly  simple  and  unaf- 
fected. We  take  pleasure  in  recommending  him  to 
an  intelligent  community. 

Prop  Bronson  is  a  gentleman  of  much  original 
ity  of  thought,  extensive  reading  and  remarkable 
powers.  His  Lectures,  beyond  the  charm  of  novel- 
ty, are  very  interesting. — Albany  Evening  Journal. 
We  warmly  recommend  Prof.  Bronson's  reading 
and  recitations  to  the  attention  of  all  those  who  are 
partial  to  effectual  and  powerful  elocution.  They 
are  an  excellent  substitute  for  dramatic  exhibitions 
— Daily  Signal,  N.  Y 

We  feel  anxious  that  a  knowledge  of  Mr.  Bronson's 
pecular  views  should  be  extended,  believing  them 
Mghly  important,  not  only  in  juvenile  education, 
but  to  the  professional  speaker. — National  Gazette, 
Philadelphia. 

Prof.  Bronson's  new  theory  in  relation  to  the  sci- 
ence of  Elocution,  is,  in  our  judgment,  founded  in 
truth,  the  author  being  a  practical  illustration  of  the 
soundness  of  his  doctrine. —  Oneida  Whig,  (Utica) 
N.   Y. 

From  the  Philadelphia  Daily  World. 
We  render  no  more  than  justice  in  pronouncing 
Prof  Bronson's  Recitations  the  best  we  ever  heard. 
His  recitation  of  "  The  Maniac,  "  by  Lewis,  was 
terrific.  We  never  before  saw  confirmed,  hopeless 
raving  insanity  so  thorougly  counterfeited  by  any 
actor.  In  the  course  of  his  recitations  he  explains 
his  discoveries  (for  such  they  are,)  in  Elocution 

From  the  Rev.  Mr.  Cook,  of  Hartford,  Conn  , 
who  received  only  twelve  lessons. 

Pro?.  Bronson — Dear  Sir — My  Physician,  Dr. 
Sherwood,  of  N.  Y.,  directed  me  to  you  for  aid  in 
recovering  the  use  of  my  voice.  A  habit  of  speaking 
solely  with  the  muscles  of  my  breast  and  throat, 
attributable  in  part  at  least  to  Dr.  Barbers  instruc- 


freely  without  irritating  my  throat.  My  voice  has 
its  natural  tone  and  compass ;  and  I  have  the  de- 
lightful prospect  of  soon  resuming  my  accustomed 
labors 

"  Professor  Bronson's  Recitations  are  the  best  we 
ever  heard." — National  Intelligencer. 

Prof  Bronson's  Lectures  and  Recitations,  have 
given  universal  delight.— -Louisville  Journal. 

"  The  Recitations  of  Mr.  Bronson.  are  almost  per- 
fect-"— Baltimore  Atheneum  and  Visitor. 

"  Mr.  Bronson's  success  has  been  most  com  pie  te. 
—  U.  S.  Gazette. 


"  Mr.  B.  exhibits  with  surprising  ease  and  power 
the  wonderful  capabilities  of  the  human  voice,  and 
illustrates  convincingly  the  practibility  and  impor- 
tance of  cultivating  its  powers. — Teachers,  public 
speakers,  and  the  youth  of  both  sexes,  should  avail 
themselves  of  this  opportunity.'' — Newark  Adv. 

"  His  superior  as  a  speaker,  we  have  yet  to  meet, 
eitherat  the  bar,  in  the  pulpit,  or  on  the  floor  of  a 
legislative  body." — Ohio  Stale  Journal,  Columbus. 

A  lady,  (Mi's.  G.  of  Boston,)  says — "Having  been 
much  injured  by  tight  lacing  when  very  young  and 
also  by  keeping  in  a  bent  position  at  school  for  years, 
I  was  bent  forward  in  such  a  manner  as  to  suppose 
I  was  afflicted  with  permanent  distortion  of  the  spine. 
Still  I  resolved  10  join  the  class,  and  prove  the  truth 
or  falsehood  of  professor  B's.  predictions,  that  I 
should  become  straight  by  faithfully  attending  to 
the  principles.    In  a  few  days  1  was  restored.'' 

Extract — Letter  from  a  distinguished  lady  in 
Boston.  -'Prof.  Bronson  ;  Sir — I  wish  to  express  to 
you  my  grateful  acknowledgements  for  the  great 
benefit  I  nave  received  from  your  system.  I  have 
for  many  years  been  afflicted  with  extreme  weakness 
of  the  lungs,  which  fatigue,  either  in  exercise,  con- 
versation or  reading,  produced  not  only  hoarseness, 
but  loss  of  voice  I  have  found,  upon  trial,  my  ex- 
pectations more  than  realized.  I  can  now,  with  per- 
fect ease,  converse,  or  read  aloud,  hour  after  hour 
without  the  least  fatigue. 

At  the  close  of  his  Lectures  in  the  Apollo,  the 
following  resolution  was  unanimously  adopted  by  a 
crowded  house  of  ticket-holders  : 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  the  members  of  this 
meeting  be  presented  to  Prop.  Bronson  for  his 
successful  efforts  (in  connection  with  Mr.  F.  H. 
Nash,  his  Assistant,)  to  interest,  amuse  and  instruct 
them.  They  conclude,  by  expressing  their  high  ad- 
miration of  Prof  Bronson's  sincerity,  zeal  and  abi- 
lity in  the  cause  of  truth  and  humanity,  and  tende- 
ring to  him  their  best  wishes,  that  success  and 
prosperity  may  attend  him  in  his  noble  and  gene- 
rous enterprise.        AMOS  BELDEN,  Chairman. 

E.  Parmly,  Secretary-*' 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Classes,  the  Rev.  Chahlks 
G.  Sommers,  Chairman,  and  Dr  Amos  Johnson, 
Secretary,  the  following  Resolution  was  unani- 
mously adopted : 

Resolved,  That  the  Ladies  and  Gentlemen,  who 
have  attended  a  series  of  Lessons  and  Lectures,  by 
Prof.  Bronson,  on  Elocution,  Music  and  Physiolo- 
gy, feel  great  pleasure  in  expressing  their  high 
sense  of  his  urbanity,  uncompromising  regard  for 
truth,  as  the  basis  of  Religion  and  sound  Philoso- 
phy ;  as  well  as  their  entire  belief  that  his  method 
of  imparting  knowledge  is  as  natural  and  interest- 
ing, as  it  is  novel;  and  that  it  is  admirably  calcula- 
ted to  promote  the  health  of  the  Body,  and  the  im- 
provement of  the  Mind.  The  Classes  desire  also  to 
express  their  indebtedness  to  Mr.  Nash,  Prof.  B.'s 
accomplished  Associate,  whose  critical  knowledge 
of  Vocal  Science,  so  happily  connected  with  un- 
usual Melody  and  Power  of  Voice,  eminently  quej- 
fies  him  for  an  Instructor  in  Music. 


PREFACE 
TO   THE   FIFTH   EDITION. 


In  this  work,  the  Author  has  given  some  of  the  results  of  his  study  and 
practice,  in  the  department  of  Mental  and  Vocal  Philosophy,  for  the  last 
fifteen  years.  Persons,  who  are  familiar  with  the  subjects  discussed,  can 
see  how  much  he  is  indebted  to  books,  and  how  much  to  investigation  and 
experience.  Whatever  is  good  and  true  in  it,  belongs  to  all  ;  for  it  is 
from  above.  If  there  be  anything  false  and  evil,  the  Author  holds  him- 
self responsible  for  it.  His  endeavor  has  been,  to  furnish  a  book,  which 
may  be  useful  to  every  one.  He  believes  that  a  greater  variety  will  be 
found  in  this,  than  in  any  other  work  on  the  subject ; — a  variety,  too,  which 
will  induce  deep  and  careful  thinking,  and  right  feeling  ;  and  which  tends 
directly,  to  the  end  in  view,  to  wit :  the  development  and  application,  of 
those  principles  of  Mind  and  Voice,  which  the  Author  has  been  engaged 
in  practicing  and  teaching,  in  our  principal  towns  and  cities,  and  Institutions 
of  Learning  :  notices  of  which  may  be  seen  among  the  accompanying  tes- 
timonials. 

This  work  is  an  abridgment  of  what  the  Author  has  written,  in  three 
connected,  yet  separate  volumes,  as  yet  unpublished,  embracing  the  sub- 
jects of  Body  and  Mind,  their  natures,  relations,  and  destinies  :  the  work, 
next  in  order,  is  Physiology  and  Psychology,  which,  it  is  expected,  will 
be  published  the  coming  year. 

One  reason  why  no  more  quotations  are  made  from  the  Bible  is,  that  the 
Sacred  Volume  is  nearly  ready  for  <he  press, — prepared  with  such  a  no- 
tation as  will  aid  the  reader,  to  pronounce  and  emphasize  it,  at  sight — it 
being  both  a  Pronouncing  and  Rhetorical  Bible :  it  was  commenced  sev- 
eral years  ago,  at  the  request  of  clergymen  and  others,  who  have  attended 
the  Author's  Biblical  Readings  and  Recitations ;  and  would  probably  have 
been  laid  before  the  public  before  this,  but  for  the  destruction  of  a  portion 
of  it  by  fire. 

The  following  work  is  now  "  cast  upon  the  waters,"  in  a  stereotyped 
form,  not  likely  soon  to  be  changed.  An  affectionate  Teacher's  kindest 
regards  to  his  Pupils,  and  respects  to  a  candid  and  generous  public. 

New  York,  1845. 


PHYSIOLOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 


1.  ETery  Art,  and  Science,  has  its  Externals, 
and  its  Internals,  its  Generals  and  Particulars; 
which  must  be  understood  Analytically,  and  Syn- 
thetically, if  we  would  practice  either  successful- 
ly. The  Internals  of  Elocution,  are  Thoughts 
and  Feelings,  and  its  Externals  comprise  all  that 
is  addressed  to  our  five  senses  :  its  Generals  are 
Mind  and  Body,  with  their  various  Languages, 
or  modes  of  manifestation.  Comparatively,  Lan- 
guage— is  the  Tune,  Body— the  Instrument,  and 
Mind— the  Performer:  hence,  the  necessity  of 
becoming  acquainted,  theoretically  and  practi- 
cally, with  their  Natures,  Relations  and  Uses. 

3.  As  the  subjects  of  Mind  and  Language, 
are  partially  unfolded  in  the  following  work,  in 
this  part,  something  must  be  said  of  the  Body, 
the  harp  of  ten  thousand  strings  :  particularly  in 
regard  to  structure,  position,  and  the  organs  to  be 
used  for  the  production  and  modification  of 
sounds,  in  Speech  and  Song:  also  of  Gestures, 
or  Actions ;  illustrated  by  appropriate  Engravings, 
which  may  be  imitated  by  the  Pupil,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  bringing  the  Body  into  subjection  to  the 
Mind;  without,  however,  any  reference  to  spe- 
cific Recitations, — lest  he  should  become  artifi- 
cial, instead  of  natural. 

3.  The  more  we  contemplate  Man,  the  more 
we  see  and  feel  the  truth,  that  he  is  a  Microcosm 
indeed  ;  a  minature-world, — an  abstract  of  crea- 
tion,— an  epitome  of  the  universe, — a  finite  repre- 
sentation of  the  Infinite  Deity  !  Well  saith  the 
heathen  motto,  "  Know  thyself  !"  and  the  poet — 

"  The  proper  study  of  mankind — is  Man." 
And  it  may  truly  be  said,  that  there  is  nothing 
in  the  Mineral,  Vegetable  and  Animal  Kingdoms, 
that  cannot  be  found,  essentially,  in  the  human 
body  ;  and  nothing  in  the  world  of  Mind,  that  is 
not  shadowed  forth  in  his  spiritual  nature:  hence, 
the  grandeur,  the  magnificence — of  our  subjects, 
and  our  objects. 

4.  The  three  grand  essentials  of  the  Body  pro- 
per, are  the  Osseus,  or  bony  system,  which  fixes 
its  form,  and  gives  it  stability  :  the  Muscular,  or 
fleshy  system,  which  is  designed  to  act  on  the 
Osseus ;  and  Nervous  system,  acting  on  the  Mus- 
cular :  while  the  Mind,  acts  on  and  through  the 
Nervous ;  receiving  its  life  and  power  from  Him, 
who  is  emphatically  "THE  LIFE ::'  thus,  we  can 
look  through  Nature,  up  to  Nature's  God.  Ob- 
serve, the  Analytical  course  is  from  outermosts  to 
innermosts,  from  effects  to  causes ;  and  the  Syn- 
thetical progress  from  innermosts  to  outermosts ; 
or  from  causes  to  effects. 

5.  Nerves  of  Organic  Life.  Every  thing 
must  have  a  beginning :  and  nothing  is  made  per- 
fect at  once.  Now  in  the  body,  there  is  a  cer- 
tain portion,  called  Nerves  of  Organic  Life  ;  be- 
cause they  are  the  first  formed,  and  constitute 
the  grand  medium,  through  which  the  soul  builds 


up  the  Body,  with  the  materials,  furnished  by  the 
external  world.  The  Soul  is  the  architect,  and 
the  body  its 
workmanship. 
Here  is  a  good 
representation  of 
this  nervous 

mass,  which  is  a 
kind  of  brain, 
(or  series  of 
brain,)  that  pre- 
sides over  those 
glands,  or  work- 
shops, that  take 
charge  of  the 
food,  digest  it, 
and  watch  over 
its  changes,  till 
it  is  made  into 
blood,  and  then 
appropriated  to 
the  body.  The 
nervous  centre, 
called  Semilunar 
Ganglion  and  So 
lar  Plexus,  may 
be  seen  at  a,  a,  a, 
a;  it  is  situated 
under  the  dia- 
phragm and  part- 
ly behind  the 
stomach :  other 
subordinate  cen- 
tres may  be  seen 
at  e,  e,  e,  e;  also 
in  other  places, 
that  need  not  be 
designated,  as 
they  are  very 
numerous  :  these 
centres  are  like 
miner  posts  in  a 
state,  or  king- 
dom. At  i,  is 
seen  a  pair  of 
chords,  called  trisplanchnic  nerves :  and  at  o,  o, 
are  seen  other  nerves,  with  their  little  brains;  oi 
centres,  where  they  come  together,  forming  a  line 
along  the  spine,  from  the  bottom  of  the  chest,  tc 
the  top  of  the  neck.  From  this  large  collection 
of  Organic  Nerves,  others  proceed  to  every  pan 
of  the  system,  uniting  in  smaller  centres,  and 
forming  ganglions  in  the  palms  of  the  hands, 
balls  of  the  fingers,  &c.  Our  Astronomical  sys- 
tem is  called  the  Solar  System,  because  the  Sun 
is  its  centre,  watching  over  our  planets ;  so,  of 
these  nervous  centres  of  the  grand  and  smaller 
departments  of  our  miniature-universe.  Owing 
to  the  intimate  connection  of  these  nerves  with 


VI 


PHYSIOLOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 


their  numerous  centres,  and  with  the  nerves  of 
the  whole  body,  they  are  sometimes  called  the 
Great  Sympathetic  Nerves,  and  Nerves  of  Vege- 
table Life.  There  are  three  orders  of  these 
Nerves :  one  going  to  the  blood-vessels  and  other 
parts  of  the  vascular  system  ;  one  to  the  contrac- 
tile tissues  or  muscles  of  involuntary  motion : 
and  one  to  the  nerves  of  organic  sensation,  con- 
veying the  impressions  made  on  the  organs. 


6.  In  this  view  of  the  Nerves  of  Respiration, 
(originating  in  the  Medulla  Oblongata,  which  is  an 
extension  of  the  Cerebellum,  (&,)  or  seat  of  Volun- 
tary Motion,  and  of  the  Cerebrum,  (a,)  or  seat  of 
Rationality.)  may  be  seen  the  nerve  (c.)  that  goes 
to  the  Diaphragm  (i,)  and  is  concerned  in  the  office 
of  breathing,  which  generally  acts  without  the  aid 
of  the  Will;  but  yet  is  controllable  by  the  AVill,  to 
a  certain  extent;  for  we  may  breathe  fast  or  slow, 
long  or  short.  Next  above  this,  is  the  Spinal  Ac- 
cessory Nerve,  used  in  moving  the  breast,  &c,  in 
respiration ;  one  of  its  fellow  roots  goes  to  the 
tongue,(rf,)  and  is  concerned  in  mastication,  swal- 
lowing, speaking,  &c.  [Some  nerves  are  thrown 
back,  the  belter  to  be  seen.]  Next  in  order  is  the 
pneumosgastric,  or  lungs-and-stomach  nerve  (/, 
g,  h,)  which  sends  a  branch  to  the  meat-pipe,  la- 
rynx and  wind-pipe,  (e,)  also  to  the  cardiac,  or 
heart  plexus,  just  above,  and  a  little  at  the  right 
of  (g) ;  a  recurrent  branch  goes  to  the  larynx,  &c; 
»ther  branches  go  to  the  face,  to  exhibit  the  feelings. 
All  interweave,  and  bring  the  vocal  organs  into 

inportant  relations  with  the  heart  and  lungs,  with 
feelings  and  thoughts;  while  the  main  body  goes 

o  the  stomach,  and  unites  with  the  great  centre 


of  organic  life,  or  solar  plexus.  The  roots  of  these 
nerves  are  in  the  cerebellum,  the  seat  of  motion, 
a  receptacle  of  life.  Now,  we  see  why  intensity 
of  thought,  carking  cares,  &c,  impede  respiration, 
and  infringe  on  the  laws  of  health,for  want  of  the 
proper  co-operation  with  the  nerves  of  organic 
life ;  inducing  dyspepsia,  and  even  consumption ; 
hence,  the  painful  mode  of  teaching  children  to 
read  by  a  book:  away  with  this  false  system,  un- 
less you  would  inhumanly  sacrifice  the  rising  gen- 
eration on  the  altar  of  evil ;  let  the  ear,  or  right 
feeling  predominate :  please  work  out  the  whole  ; 
for  you  can  do  it:  a  hint  is  sufficient  for  those  who 
think. 


7.  Here  is  an  excellent  representation  of  the 
Nerves  of  Voluntary  Motion,  and  of  Sense,  which, 
with  the  nerves  of  Organic  Life,  and  the  Respira- 
tory Nerves,  constitute  the  inmosts  of  the  body ; 
also,  a  posterior,  or  back  view,  of  the  two  brains, 
which  is  the  scat  of  the  Mind,  the  constituents  of 
which,  are  Will  and  Understanding.  The  letter 
c,  indicates  the  cerebrum,  or  large  brain,  where 
the  Understanding,  Rationality,  or  thought  is  lo- 
cated; and  cv,  the  cerebellum,  or  little  brain, 
under,  and  adjoining  the  cerebrum,  where  the 


PHYSIOLOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 


Vll 


Horizontal  black  line  is:  here  is  the  seat  of  the 
Will,  Affections,  Passions  or  Emotions ;  also  the 
seat  of  the  Motive  power  of  the  body ;  and  from 
these  proceed  the  spinal  marrow,  [me.)  enveloped 
in  three  different  membranes,  lying  in  the  hollow 
of  the  back  bone,  and  branching  off  by  thirty  pairs 
of  spinal  nerves  into  a  gTeat  many  ramifications 
over  every  part  of  the  body;  pb,  the  brachial 
plexus,  a  reunion  or  assemblage  of  the  different 
nerves  distributed  to  the  arms,  or  upper  extremities; 
and  ps,  the  plexus,  or  folds  of  nerves,  that  form 
the  great  sciatic  nerves,  descending  to  the  legs, 
or  lower  extremities.  From  the  spinal  marrow, 
the  nerves  arise  by  two  sets,  or  bundles  of  roots; 
the  front  (anterior,)  one  serving  for  motion,  and 
the  back  (posterior,)  are  the  nerves  of  feeling,  or 
sensibility.  Now,  in  all  voluntary  actions  of  the 
body,  whether  reading,  speaking,  singing,  or 
working,  there  should  be  a  perfect  harmony  and 
co-operation  of  the  Organic  Nerves,  Respiratory 
Nerves,  and  Motary  Nerves;  hence,  the  volun- 
tary effort  must  be  made  from  the  abdomen,  where 
is  the  great  centre  of  Organic  Nerves,  in  connec- 
tion with  those  of  Respiration. 

8.  Here  is  a 
striking  view 
of  the  Muscu- 
lar, or  fleshy 
portions,  that 
form  the  me- 
dium of  com- 
munication V  A& 
between  the 
Nerves  and 
the  Bones : 
there  are  sev- 
eral hundreds, 
acting  on  the 
bones  like 
ropes  on  the 
masts  of  ships: 
let  them  be 
trained  in  per- 
fectsubjectioit. 
to  the  Soiii, 
through  ths 
Mind ;  so  thaV 
whatever  is 
felt  &  thought, 
may  be  bodied 
forth  to  the  life. 
Now  let  us  put 
these  three 
systems,  the 
Nerves,  Mus- 
cles and 
Bones,  togeth- 
er, and  con- 
template the 
whole  as  a 
unit,  bound  up 
in  the  skin, 
and  acting  in 
obedience  to  its  rightful  owner,  the  Mind ;  while 
lhat  mind  is  subservient  to  the  Creator  of  mind. 


9.  We  now  descend  to  the  hard  parts  of  the 
body,  which  have  the  least  of  life  in  them.  This 
is  a  very  correct  representation  of  the  Osseous 
system,  or  the  bony  parts   which  may  be  aptly 


called  the  basis,  or  foundation,  of  the  splendid 
temple  we  live  in;  which  is  three  stories  high; 
viz.  the  cavity  below  the  diaphragm,  the  one  above 
it,  and  the  skull.  Examine,  minutely,  each  part, 
the  situation  and  attachment  of  the  different  bones 
of  the  head,  the  five  short  ribs,  and  the  seven  long 
ones,  the  breast-bone,  &c.  In  a  complete  human 
frame,  there  are  250  bones:  they  afford  us  the 
means  of  locomotion.  Do  you  see  any  analogy 
between  the  body  and  language? 

10.  Zoology — (the  doctrine  or  science  of  life,) 
is  a  necessary  element  of  education.  Whose  cu- 
riosity has  not  been  excited  by  the  innumerable 
living  beings,  and  things,  with  which  we  are  sur- 
rounded? Is  it  not  desirable  to  scrutinize  their 
interiors,  and  see  how  they  are  made,  and  under- 
stand their  various  uses?  Look  at  a  man,  a  fish, 
a  spider,  an  oyster,  a  plant,  a  stone ;  observe  their 
differences,  in  many  respects,  and  their  similari- 
ties in  others :  they  all  have  essence,  form,  use. 
The  tendency  of  the  study  of  the  three  kingdoms 
of  nature,  the  Animal,  Vegetable,  and  Mineral, 


Vlll 


PHYSIOLOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 


is  to  emancipate  the  human  mind  from  the  dark- 
ness and  slavery  of  ignorance,  into  the  light  and 
liberty  of  rational  humanity.  The  things  of  the 
Animal  kingdom  live,  and  move  from  an  interior 
power ;  those  of  the  Vegetable  kingdom  grow ; 
and  those  of  the  Mineral  kingdom  do  not  live  or 
grow ;  they  simply  exist. 

11.  Three  objects  are  designed  by  this  engra- 
ving :  first,  to  show  the  body,  clothed  in  its  own 
beautiful  envelop,  the  skin,  which  is  the  conti- 
nent of  our  most  wonderful  piece  of  Mechanism  : 
second,  to  call  attention  to  the  fact,  that  it  is  full 
of  pores,  or  little  holes,  through  which  passes  out 
of  our  systems  more  than  half  of  what  we  eat 

^« 


and  drink,  in  the  form  of  what  is  called  insensi- 
ble perspiration,  which  is  indicated  by  the  cloudy 
mist,  emanating  from  every  part  of  the  surface ; 
and  as  our  bodies  wear  out,  by  degrees,  and  are 
renewed  every  seven  years,  and  the  skin  being 
the  principal  evacuating  medium  for  the  worn-out 
particles  of  the  system;  the  great  importance 
of  keeping  it  in  a  clean,  and  consequent  healthy 
condition,  by  daily  washing  in  soft  cold  water, 
must  be  evident  to  every  one  of  reflection,  it  be- 
ing the  safety-valve  of  the  body  :  and  thirdly,  to 
indicate  a  higher  truth,  that  of  the  passing  off  of 
a  sul. lie  and  invisible  fluid  from  the  mind,  in  ac- 
cordance with  its  state  ;  which  is  often  perceived 
when  certain  persons  are  present ;  also  when 
powerful  speakers  are  pouring  forth  their  highly 
wrought  affections,  and  brilliant  thoughts ;  so  as 
to  give  the  mind  a  kind  of  ubiquity,  co-extensive 
with  their  tones  and  audible  words,  ruling  im- 
mense audience's  with  absolute  sway,  and  de- 
monstrating the  power  of  truth  and  eloquence. 

Animals  and  Plants  increase  by  nutrition : 
Minerals  by  accretion.  In  infancy,  we  weigh 
but  a  few  pounds :  at  adult  age,  we  exceed  one 
hundred  pounds.  Whence,  but  from  foreign  sub- 
stances, are  the  materials  of  which  our  organs 
are  composed?  In  sickness,  extreme  emaciation 
proves  that  our  bodies  may  lose  a  portion  of  their 
bulk,  and  give  back  to  the  world  what  was  once 
its  own.    Thus,  composition  and  decomposition, 


constituting  the  nutritive  function  of  which  living 
bodies  are  the  centre,  are  revealed  to  us  by  evi- 
dences too  plain  to  be  misunderstood :  may  we  have 
power  to  appreciate  them,  being  assured  that  all 
truths  are  in  perfect  harmony  with  each  other. 

13.  Here  is  a  representation  of  the  Human 
Form  clothed  and  engaged  in  some  of  the  uses 
of  Elocution.    But  it  is  necessary  to  enter  more 


into  the  particulars  of  our  subject ;  which  is  done 
in  the  succeeding  parts  of  this  introduction  :  how- 
ever, let  the  reader  bear  in  mind,  that  only  the  out- 
lines of  subjects  are  giv^n  in  the  book,  designed 
for  such  as  are  determined  to  dig  for  truth  and 
eternal  principles,  as  for  hidden  treasures ; 
whose  motto  is  "  Press  On." 

Animals  and  Plants  endure  for  a  time,  and 
under  specific  forms,  by  making  the  external 
world  a  part  of  their  own  being ;  i.  e.  they  have 
the  power  imparted  to  them  of  self-nourishment, 
and  when  this  outward  supply  ceases  they  die, 
having  completed  their  term  of  duration  :  hence, 
death,  to  material  existences,  is  a  necessary  cor> 
sequence  of  life.  Not  so  with  minerals:  they  ex- 
ist so  long  as  external  forces  do  not  destroy  them : 
and  if  they  increase,  it  is  simply  by  the  juxtapo- 
sition of  other  bodies;  and  if  they  diminish,  it  is 
by  the  action  of  a  force,  or  power,  from  with- 
out. Has  not  every  thing  its  circle?  How  in- 
teresting must  be  the  history  of  all  things,  ani- 
mate and  inanimate!  Oh  that  we  had  eyes  to  see, 
and  ears  to  hear,  every  thing  that  is  manifested 
around  us,  within  us,  and  above  us ! 

13.  If  we  would  have  the  Mind  ael  on  the 
Body,  and  the  Body  react  on  the  Mind,  in  an  or- 


PHYSIOLOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 


IX 


derly,  and,  consequently,  beneficial  manner,  it  is 
necessary  that  the  body  be  in  a  natural  and  up- 
right position.  The  following  engraving  repre- 
sents the  Thorax,  or  Chest,  which  contains  the 
Heart  and  Lungs ;  and  reason  teaches,  that  no  or- 
gans should  be  in  the  least  infringed  upon,  either 
by  compressions,  or  by  sitting  in  a  bent  position. 
The  Lungs  are  reservoirs  for  the  air,  out  of  which 
we  make  sounds,  by  condensation.  All  are  fami- 
liar with  the  hand-bellows:  observe  the  striking 
analogy  between  it  and  the  body,  in  the  act  of 
speaking,  singing  and  blowing.  The  wind-pipe  is 
like  its  nosle,  the  lungs  like  the  sides,  and  the  ab- 
dominal and  dorsal  muscles,  like  its  handles;  of 
course,  to  blow  with  ease  and  power,  one  must 
take  hold  of  the  handles;  to  speak  and  sing  right, 
the  lower  muscles  must  be  used ;  for  there  is  only 
one  right  way  of  doing  anything. 


Larynx, 


7  Long  Ribs,  . 
Diaphragm,  .  . 
5  Short  Ribs,  . 
Dorsal  and 
Abdominal 
Muscles 

14.  This  is  a  view  of  a  well  developed  and 
naturally  proportioned  chest ;  with  space  for  the 
lungs,  the  short  ribs  thrown  outwardly,  affording 
ample  room  for  the  free  action  of  the'  organs :  it  is 
the  true  model  of  the  form  of  one  who  would  live 
to  a  good  old  age. 

15.  Tight  Dressing.  No  one  can  enjoy  good 
health,  or  perform  any  kind  of  labor  with  ease,  or 
read,  speak,  or  sing,  when  the  thorax  is  habitual- 
ly compressed.  It  diminishes  the  capacity  of  the 
lungs,  for  receiving  the  necessary  quantity  of  air 
to  purify  the  blood,  and  prevents  the  proper  action 
of  the  diaphragm.  The  following  engraving  shows 
the  alarming  condition  of  the  chest,  -when  com- 
pressed by  tight  lacing;  a  practice  that  has  hur- 
ried, and  is  now  hurrying,  hundreds  of  thousands 
to  a  premature  grave ;  besides  entailing  upon  the 
offspring  an  accumulation  of  evils,  too  awful  to 
contemplate.  What  is  the  difference  between 
killing  one's  self  in  five  minutes  with  a  razor,  and 
doing  it  in  five  years  by  tight  lacing,  or  any  other 
bad  habit?  Our  clothing  should  never  be  so  tight 
as  to  prevent  the  air  from  coming  between  it  and 
the  body. 

16.  Here  follows  an  outline  of  the  chest,  or 
thorax  of  a  female,  showing  the  condition  of  the 
bones  of  the  body,  as  they  appear  after  death,  in 
every  one  who  has  habitually  worn  stays  and 
corsets,  enforced  by  tight  lacing.  '  But,'  says  one, 
'  I  do  not  lace  too  tight.'  If  you  lace  at  all,  you 
most  certainly  do,  and  will,  sooner  or  later,  expe- 


rience the  dreadful  consequences.  Observe,  all 
the  short  ribs,  from  the  lower  end  of  the  breast- 
bone, are  unnaturally  cramped  inwardly  toward 
the  spine,  so  that 
the  liver,  stomach, 
and  other  digestive 
organs  in  that  vici- 
nity, are  pressed 
into  such  a  small 
compass,  that  their 
functions  are  great- 
ly interrupted,  and 
all  the  vessels, 
bones  and  viscera  are  more  or  less  distorted  and 
enfeebled.    Cease  to  do  evil,  and  learn  to  do  well. 

17.  This  engraving, 
of  a  bell-shaped  glass, 

C,  C,  shows  how  the 
air  gets  into  the  lungs, 
and  some  of  its  effects. 
A  head  is  placed  on 
the  cork,  T,  represent- 
ing the  wind-pipe,  and 
having  a  hole  through 
it.  L,  represents  a 
bladder,  tied  to  the 
lower  end  of  the  cork, 
to  indicate  a  lung.    At 

D,  is  seen  the  dia- 
phragm. The  cavity 
of  the  bell  represents 

the  inside  of  the  thorax,  where  the  heart  and  lungs 
are:  there  is  no  communication  with  the  external 
air,  except  through  the  hole  in  the  cork;  air,  en- 
tering through  that  hole,  can  go  only  into  the  blad- 
der. Now,  when  the  centre  of  the  diaphragm  is 
raised  to  D,  the  bladder  will  be  flaccid  and  devoid 
of  air ;  but  when  it  is  dropped,  to  the  situation  of 
the  dotted  line,  a  tendency  to  a  vacuum  will  be 
the  consequence,  which  can  be  supplied  with  air, 
only  through  the  hole  in  the  cork ;  the  air  expand- 
ing the  bladder  to  its  full  extent,  is  shown  by  the 
dotted  circle,  around  L ;  and  when  the  diaphragm 
is  elevated  again,  the  air  will  be  forced  from  the 
bladder ;  thus,  the  lungs  are  inflated  and  exhaus- 
ted by  this  alternate  operation  of  the  diaphragm, 
and  of  the  contraction  and  elongation  of  the  ab- 
dominal muscles ;  hence,  the  comparison  between 
the  vocal  organs  proper,  and  a  pair  of  bellows,  is 
distinctly  seen. 

Muscular  Action.  These 
two  engravings  represent  some 
muscular  fibres  in  two  states: 
the  upper  one  at  rest,  with  a  re- 
laxed nervous  filament  ramified  through  the  fibres, 
as  seen  under  the  microscope ;  and  the  lower  one  in 
_  a  state  of  contraction,  and  the  fi- 
bHySp^,  bres  in  zigzag  lines,  with  a  simi- 
lar nervous  filament  passing  over 
them:  apply  the  principle  to  all 
muscles.  The  subject  might  be  greatly  extended; 
but  for  further  information,  see  the  Author's  large 
work  on  Physiology  and  Psychology,  which  will 
be  published  as  soon  as  convenient. 


PHYSIOLOGICAL  INTRODUCTION. 


IS.  Here  is  a  representation  of  the  Air  Cells 
in  the  Lungs,  laid  open  and  highly  magnified 
The  body  is  formed  by  Blood,  which  consists  of  the 
nutritious  portions 
of  our  food,  and 
is  in  the  form  of 
very  small  glob- 
ules, or  little 
round  balls :  a 
representation  of 
■which  is  here  pre- 
sented as  seen 
through  a  micro- 
scope, magnified 
one    thousand 

#  times, 
three 
or  four 
minutes,  as  a  gen- 
eral rule,  the 
blood  flows  thro'- 
out  the  whole 
body ;  and,  of 
course,  through 
the  lungs,  where 
it  undergoes  a  purification :  hence  may  be  seen 
the  importance  of  an  upright  position,  and  perfect 
inflation  of  the  lungs ;  no  one  can  live  out  his 
days  without  them. 

19.  Here  are  two  attitudes,  sitting,  and  stand- 
ing, passive  and  active.    Beware  of  too  much 


stiflhess,  and  too  much  laxity, of  the  muscles;  be 
natural  and  easy.  Avoid  leaning  backwards  or 
forwards,  to  the  right  or  left:  and  especially,  of 
resting  your  head  on  your  hand,  with  the  elbow 
on  something  else :  by  which  practice,  many 
have  caused  a  projection  of  one  shoulder,  indu- 
ced spinal  affections,  &c.  Beware  of  every  thing 
that  is  improper  :  such  as  trying  how  much  you 
jean  lift  with  one  hand,  &c. 

20.  Here  follows  a  representation  of  the  position 
of  the  diaphragm,  and  illustrations  of  its  actions, 
in  exhaling  and  inhaling.  Figure  1,  in  the  left 
engraving,  represents  the  diaphragm  in  its  great- 
est descrni.  when  we  draw  in  our  breath  :  2,  mus- 
cles of  lli<-  abdomen,  when  protruded  to  their  full 
extent,  in  inhaling  :  1,  in  the  right  engraving,  the 
diaphragm  in  its  greatest  ascent  in  expiration:  2, 
the  muscles  of  the  abdomen  in  action,  forcing  the 


viscera  and  diaphragm  upwards :  the  lungs  co- 
operate with  the  diaphragm  and  abdominal  mus- 
cles; or  rather,  the  soul,  mind,  nerves  and  mus- 
cles act  unitedly,  and  thence  with  ease,  grace  and 
effect.  Observe,  the  Stomach,  Liver,  &,c.  are  be- 
low the  diaphragm,  and  are  dependent  on  it,  in  a 
measure,  for  their  actions. 


21.  Here  is  a  view  of  the  Heart,  nearly  sur- 
rounded by  the  Lungs,  with  the  different  blood- 
vessels going  to,  and  from  them :  these  organs  are 
shown  partially  separated;  tho'  when  in  their  nat- 
ural positions,  they  are  quite  compact  together, 


and  wholly  fill  up  the  cavity  of  the  chest :  every 
one  has  two  hearts,  for  the  two  different  kinds  of 
blood,  and  each  heart  has  two  rooms:  a,  right 
auricle,  that  receives  all  the  blood  from  every  part 
of  the  body,  through  the  vena  cava,  or  large  vein, 
which  is  made  up  of  the  small  veins,  e,  e,  e,  e,  e; 
it  thence  passes  into  the  right  ventricle,  i,  thence 
into  both  lungs,  where  it  is  purified:  after  which 
it  passes  into  the  left  auricle,  and  left  ventricle, 
then  into  the  aorta,  o,  and  the  carotid  and  subcla- 
vian arteries  (u,  and  v,)  to  every  part  of  the  body  ; 
returning  every  three  or  four  minutes. 


ORATORICAL  AND  POETICAL  GESTURES. 


XI 


22.  This  engTaving  represents  the  larynx,  or 
vocal  box,  at  1,  near  the  lop  of  the  wind-pipe,  2; 
the  bronchial 
tubes,  or 

branches  of 
the  trachea, 
3,  4,  going  to 
each  lung  ; 
the  left  lung  is 
whole ;  the 
substance  of 
the  right  one 
/s  removed,  to 
show  the  ra-^j- 
mifications  ot  \ 
the  bronchial  y 
twigs,  termi- 
nating in  the 
air-cells,  7,  7, 
8,  like  leaves 
on  the  trees. 
The  bronchi- 
al tubes  are 

the  three   f%«|o 

branches  of  isJS.k-,>c> 
the  wind- 
pipe, and  enter  the  lungs  about  one  third  of  the 
distance  from  the  upper  end:  hence,  how  foolish 
for  persons  having  a  sore  throat,  or  larynx,  to  sup- 
pose they  have  the  bronchitis ;  which  consists  in 
a  diseased  state  of  the  bronchia ;  generally  brought 
on  by  an  improper  mode  of  breathing,  or  speak- 
ing, &c,  with  exposure.  The  remedy  may  be 
found  in  the  practice  here  recommended,  with  a 
free  use  of  cold  soft  water  over  the  whole  body, 
and  bandages  wet  with  the  same,  placed  about 
the  chest  and  neck,  to  be  removed  every  few 
hours,  as  they  become  dry. 


23.  Here  is  a  horizontal  view  of  the  Glottis : 
N,  F,  are  the  arytenoid  cartilages,  connected 
with  the  chordae  vocales,  (vocal  cords,  or  liga- 
ments,) T,  V,  stretching  across  from  the  top  of  the 
arytenoid  to  the  point  of  the  thyroid  cartilage : 
these  cords  can  be  elongated,  and  enlarged  to  pro- 
duce lower  sounds,  and  contracted  and  diminished 
for  higher  ones :  and,  at  the  same  time,  separated 
from  each  other,  and  allowing  more  conden- 
sed air  to  pass  for  the  former  purposes ;  or  brought 
nearer  together,  to  favor  the  latter :  there  are  a 
great  many  muscles  attached  to  the  larynx,  to 
give  variety  to  the  modifications  of  voice  in 
speech  and  song 


24.  Here  is  a  front  view  of  the  Vocal  Organs: 
e  is  the  top  of  the  wind-pipe,  and  within  and  a 
little  above  d  is  the  larynx,  or  vocal  box,  where 
all  voice  sounds  are 
made :  the  two 
horns  at  the  top,  rep- 
resent the  upper  ex- 
tremities of  the  thy- 
roid cartilage:  the 
tubes  up  and  doivn> 
and  transverse,  are 
blood-vessels :  be- 
ware of  having 
anythingtight 
around  the  neck, 
also  of  bending  the 
neck  much,  impeding  the  free  circulation  of  the 
blood,  and  determining  it  to  the  head. 

ORATORICAL  AND  POETIC Ai/aCTION. 

Positions  of  Feet  and  Hands. 


Xll 


ORATORICAL  AND  POETICAL  GESTURES. 


ORATORICAL  AND  POETICAL  GESTURES. 


XIV 


ORATORICAL   AND   POETICAL  GESTURES. 


ORATORICAL  AND  POETICAL  GESTURES. 


XVI 


ORATORICAL  AND  POETICAL  GESTURES. 


wj 

-J*> 

^^X"rf!j&r^ 2%Sg$k 

yk 

i  u 

ii] 

Im 

{)(/ 

1PI 

jy^ 

— -    ^^M^T"-*lN 

Notes.  The  Elocutionary  Engravings  are  de- 
signed for  studies ;  they  involve  every  variety  of 
Thought  and  Feeling,  and  their  modes  of  manifes- 
tation: some  are  to  be  imitated,  others  avoided, 
because  of  their  awkwardness :  judge  ye.  The 
dotted  lines  show  the  directions  the  hands  have 
taken,  till  brought  to  their  present  position.  Some 
paragraphs  are  transposed,  and  extra  ones  intro- 
duced, the  better  to  accommodate  the  engravings. 
See  the  Passions,  &c,  for  further  information. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


17 


[A  in  ALE.] 


1.  This  syste?i  unfolds  the  true  Philoso- 
phy of  Mixd  and  Voice,  in  accordance  with 
the  nature  of  Man,  and  the  structure  of  Lan- 
guage. The  Elements  are  first  presented ; 
then,  the  common  combinations,  followed  by 
the  more  difficult  ones ;  all  of  which  are  to  be 
practiced  in  concert,  and  individually,  after 
the  Teacher.  These  exercises  essentially  aid 
in  cultivating  the  Voice  and  Ear,  for  all  the 
objects  of  Speech  and  Song  .•  while  the  Prin- 
ciples and  Practice  tend  to  develop  and  per- 
fect both  mind  and  body,  agreeably  to  the 
Laws,  that  should  govern  them.  The  Vowels 
must  first  be  mastered,  then  the  Consonants  ; 
and  the  exercises  interspersed  with  reading, 
and  rigid  criticism  on  the  Articulation  and 
Pronunciation. 

N.  B.  The  words  printed  in  italics  and  CAPITALS,  are  more  or 
less  emphatic;  though  other  words  may  be  made  so,  according  to 
the  desired  effect :  the  dash  ( — )  indicates  a  pause  for  inhalation : 
connecting  words  are  sometimes  excepted. 

3.  A  has  four  regular  sounds  :  First 
Name  sound,  or  long:  ALE; 
ate,  a-zure;  rare  a-pri-cots; 
scarce  pa-tri-ots;  fair  brace- 
lets for  la-tent  mus-/a-ches; 
kai-ry  ma-gi  and  sa-pi-ent  lit- 
er-a-ti  for  pa-trons ;  ?ia-tion-al 
ca-ter-er  for  ra-di-a-ted  sta- 
mens, and  sa-li-ent  pas-try  with  the  ha-lo 
gra-tis ;  the  ra-tion-al  plain-tiff  tears  the  cam- 
bric, and  dares  the  stairs  for  the  sa-vor  of 
rm-sins ;  they  drain  the  cawe-brakes  and  take 
the  bears  by  the  nape  of  the  neck ;  the  may-or's 
pray-er  to  Mayn-ton  Sayre  is — to  be-ware  of 
the  snares  pre-par'd  for  the  matron's  shares : 
cu-men  has  both  syllables  accented;  but  it 
ehould  never  be  pronounced  ah-xaen  (2d  a,) 
nor  aiu-men. 

3.  Position.  Sit,  or  stand  erect,  with  the 
shoulders  thrown  back,  so  as  to  expand  the 
chest,  prevent  the  body  from  bending,  and 
facilitate  full  and  deep  breathing.  Open  the 
mouth  wide  enough  to  admit  two  fingers, 
side-wise,  between  the  teeth,  and  keep  the 
lips  free  and  limber,  that  the  sounds  may 
flow  with  clearness  and  precision  ,■  nor  let 
there  be  too  much,  nor  too  little  moisture  in 
the  mouth.  A  piece  of  hard  wood,  or  ivory, 
an  inch,  or  an  inch  and  a  half  long,  of  the 
size  of  a  pipe-stem,  with  a  notch  in  each  end, 
if  placed  between  the  teeth,  perpendicularly, 
wnile  practicing,  will  be  found  very  useful  in 
acquiring  the  habit  of  opening  wide  the  mouth. 

■4.  E  has  this  sound  in  certain  words;  among 
which  are  the  following  :  ere,  ere-long- ;  feint 
heirs ;  the  Aei-nous  Bey  pur-veijs  a  bo-quet ; 
(bo-ka  ;)  they  rein  their  prey  in  its  ey-ry,  and 
pay  their  freight  by  weight ;  hey-dey  '.  o-bey  the 
eyre,  and  do  o-Jei-sance  to  the  Dey ;  they  sit 
Ute-a.  -tate  (ta-tah-tate,)  at  trey  :  also,  there 
and  where,  in  all  their  compounds,— there-af, 
there-by,  there-fore,  there-m,  there-on,  there- 
toith;  where-at,  where  -by,  where-fore,  where- 
3 


in,  where-on,  where-with,  &r\  :  also,  in  the  con- 
traction of  ever  and  never, — as  where-e'er  I  go, 
where-e'er  I  am,  I  ne'er  shall  see  thee  more. 
"  How  blest  is  lie,  who  ne'er  consents,  By  ill  ad- 
vice to  walk." 

Anecdote.  Plato  —  defines  man  —  "An 
animal,  having  two  legs,  and  no  feathers." 
This  very  imperfect  description  attracted  the 
ridicule  of  Di-o^-e-nes ;  who,  wittily,  and  in 
derision,  introduced  to  his  school — a  fowl, 
stripped  of  its  feathers,  and  contemptuously 
asked, — "Is  this  Plato's  man?" 

M^OteS.  I.  Don't  caricature  this  sound  of  a  and  e  before 
r,  by  giving  it  undue  stress  and  quantity,  in  such  words  as — air, 
(ay-ur,)  pa -rent,  ;pae-rent,)  dare,  (Jay-ur,)  chair,  there,  where,  &c., 
nor  give  it  a  flat  sound,  as  some  do  to  e  in  bleat,  pronouncing  it 
bloat.  To  give  this  sound  properly,  separate  the  teeth  an  inch, 
project  the  lips,  and  bring  forward  the  corners  of  the  mouth,  lite 
a  funnel.  2.  It  would  be  just  as  proper  in  prose,  to  sav,  where- 
eevcr  I  go,  where-ttx<er  I  am,  I  neever  shall  see  thee  more  ;  as  to 
say  in  poetry,  where-far  I  am,  I  near  shall  see  thee  more.  3.  £  in 
weight,  whey,  (i,  y,  gh  are  silent,)  and  a  in  age,  whale,  &c,  are 
just  alike  in  sound  ;  and  as  this  sound  of  e  does  not  occur  among 
its  natural,  or  regular  sounds,  as  classed  by  our  orthoepists,  it  m 
called  "irregular  ;"  i.  e.  it  borrows  this  name  sound  of  a;  or  m 
sounded  like  it  4.  Some  try  to  make  a  distinction  between  a  in 
fate,  and  a  in  fair,  calling  it  a  medial  sound  :  which  error  is  ow- 
ing to  t  being  an  abrupt  element,  and  r,  a  prolonged  one  :  but  M> 
one  can  make  a  good  sound  of  it,  either  in  speech  or  song,  when 
thus  situated,  by  giving  it  a  sound  unlike  the  name  sound  of  a  ;  be- 
ware of  unjust  prejudices  and  prepossessions.  I  say  na-shun-al, 
ra-shun-al,  &c,  for  the  same  reason  that  I  say  no-tioual  and  de-uo- 
tional ;  because  of  analogy  and  effect. 

Proverbs.  1.  Accusing — is  proving,  when 
malice  and  power  sit  as  judges.  2.  Adversity — 
may  make  one  wise,  but  not  rich.  3.  Idle  folks 
— take  the  most  pains.  4.  Every  one  is  architect 
of  his  own  fortune.  5-  Fine  feathers  make  fine 
birds.  6.  Go  into  the  country  to  hear  the  news 
of  the  town.  7.  He  is  a  good  orator — who  con- 
vinces himself.  8.  If  you  cannot  bite,  never  show 
your  teeth.  9.  Lawyers'  houses — are  built  on  the 
heads  of fools.  10.  Little,  and  often,  fill  the  purse. 
11.  Much,  would  have  more,  and  lost  all.  12. 
Practice — makes  perfect. 

The  Bible — requires,  in  its  proper  deliv- 
ery, the  most  extensive  practical  knowledge 
of  the  principles  of  elocution,  and  of  all  the 
compositions  in  the  world ;  a  better  impres- 
sion may  be  made,  from  its  correct  reading, 
than  from  the  most  luminous  commentary. 

Varieties.  1.  Love  what  you  ought  to  do, 
and  you  can  easily  do  it ; — oiled  wheels  run 
freely.  2.  Cicero  says,  that  Roscius,  a  Ro- 
man orator,  could  express  a  sentence  in  as 
many  different  ways  by  his  gestures,  as  he 
himself  could  by  his  words.  3.  Why  is  the 
letter  A,  like  a  honey-suckle  1  Because  a  B 
follows  it.  4.  Never  speak  unless  you  have 
something  to  say,  and  always  stop  when  you 
have  done.  5.  The  most  essential  rule  in  de- 
livery is — Be  natural  and  in  earnest.  6.  Our 
education  should  be  adapted  to  the  full  de- 
velopment of  body  and  mind.  7.  Truth  can 
never  contradict  itself,-  but  is  eternal  and  im- 
mutable— the  same  in  all  ages :  the  states  of 
men's  reception  of  it — are  as  various  as  the 
principles  and  subjects  of  natural  creation. 


B2 


As  good  have  no  time,  as  make  bad  use  of  it. 


18 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


5.  Elocution-\s  an  Art,  that  teachesme  how 
to  manifest  my  feelings  and  thoughts  to 
others,  in  such  a  way  as  to  give  them  a  true 
idea,  and  expression  of  how,  and  ichat,  I  fee  I 
and  think  ,■  and,  in  so  doing,  to  make  them 
feel  and  think,  as  I  do.  Its  object  is,  to  enable 
me  to  communicate  to  the  hearers,  the  whole 
truth,  just  as  it  is ;  in  other  words,  to  give  me 
the  ability,  to  do  perfect  justice  to  the  subject, 
to  them,  and  to  myself :  thus,  involving  the 
philosophy  of  end,  cause,  and  effect, -the  cor- 
respondence of  affection,  thoughts  and  icords. 

6.  The   second  sound  of  A  is  grave, 
or  Italian.    Ah  ;  alms,  far ;  pa- 
pa   calms    ma  -  ma,   and   com-     *^yJ*J 
manis  Charles  to   craunch  the  / 
ci-monds  in  the  haun-led  paths ;  ' 
his    ma-ster    de-mrm-ded    a|  a.        /" 
haunch    of   par -bridge    of  fa-  \    \~T^J 
ther;   aunt  taun-ted  the  laun-  m  in  far.] 
dress    for   salve    from    the    ba- 

rca-na  tree;  Jar-vis  farms  sar-sa-pa-riZ-la  in 
A-mer-i-ca ;  ma-nii-la  balm  is  a  charm  to 
halve  the  qualms  in  Ra-re/z-na ;  he  a.-bides  in 
C/a'-na.  and  vaunts  to  have  saun-tered  on 
the  a-re-na,  to  guard  the  r£/-la  hearths  from 
harm-iul  ef^u-vi-a;  they_/tau»-ted  on  the  so- 
fa, ar-gu-ing  for  Quarles'  psalms,  and  for-mu- 
la  for  jaun-dice  in  Mec-ea  or  Me-tfi-na;  a 
calf  sot  the  chol-e-m  in  Cu-ba,  and  a-rose  to 
run  the  gaunt-let  for  the  ayes  and  noes  in  A- 
c£/-da-ma. 

7.  In  making  the  vowel  sounds,  by  expel- 
ling them,  great  care  must  be  taken,  to  con- 
vert all  the  breath  that  is  emitted,  into  pure 
sound,  so  as  not  to  chafe  the  internal  surface 
of  the  throat,  and  produce  a  tickling,  or 
hoarseness.  The  happier  and  freer  from  re- 
straint, the  better:  in  laughing,  the  lower 
muscles  are  used  involuntarily;  hence  the 
adage,  'laugh,  and  be  fat.'  In  breathing, 
reading,  speaking,  and  singing,  there  should 
be  no  rising  of  the  shoulders,  or  heaving  of 
the  bosom  ;  both  tend  to  error  and  ill  health. 
Beware  of  using  the  lungs,  as  it  is  said;  let 
them  act,  as  they  axe  acted  upon  by  the  lower 
muscles. 

Notes.  I.  This,  strictly  speaking,  is  the  only  natural 
sound  in  all  languages,  and  is  the  easiest  made :  it  merely  requires 
tbe  under  jaw  to  be  dropped,  and  a  vocal  sound  to  be  produced  : 
■■vels  are  derived  from  it;  or,  rather,  are  modifications 
■  >■.  _'.  When  a  is  an  article,  i.  e.  when  used  by  itself,  it  always 
"-is  this  sound,  but  must  not  be  accented  ;  as,  "a  man  saw  a  horse 
Al  a  sheep  in  a  meadow:"'  except  as  contrasted  with  the;  as,  "I 
tfiid  fie  nian,  not  a  man,"  3.  When  a  forms  an  unaccented  syl- 
.atde,  it  has  this  sound  :  as,  a-wake,  a-lile,  a-like,  a-ware,  a-tone, 
ray,  Ice.  4.  It  has  a  similar  sound  at  the  end  of  words, 
ei'fier  with,  or  wi!bout  an  A:  as,  AVah,  /fan-nab,  Sa-rah,  Af-ri- 
ca.  A-mer-i-ca,  i-o-ta,  dog-ma,  &c.  Beware  of  saying,  Nc-er,  Sa- 
rv.  &c.  5.  It  generally  has  this  sound,  when  followed  by  a  single 
-  ui  the  same  syllable :  as,  ar-son,  ar-tist,  kc. ;  also  in  star-ry,  (full 
of  «tarf,)  and  tar-ry,  (besmeared  with  tar.) 

Education.  The  derivation  of  this  word 
—will  assist  us  in  understanding  its  mean- 
ing; it  being  composed  of  the  Latin  word 
e-du-co,  to  lead  or  draw  out  All  develop- 
ments, both  of  matter  and  spirit,  are  from 


within — out;  not  from  without — ui.  The 
beautiful  rose — does  not  grow  by  accretion, 
like  the  rocks ;  its  life  flows  into  it  through 
the  nutriment,  imbibed  from  the  earth,  the 
air,  and  the  icater,  which  are  incorporated 
with  the  very  life  -blood  of  the  plant  asame- 
dium  :  it  is  a  manifestation  of  the  Life  that 
fills  all  things,  and  rlows  into  all  things,  ac- 
cording to  their  various  forms.  The  analogy 
holds  good  as  it  respects  the  human  mind  ; 
tho'  vegetables  are  matter,  and  mind — is 
spirit ;  the  former  is  of  course  much  more 
confined  than  the  latter.  The  powers  of  the 
mind — must  be  developed  by  a  power  from 
within,  and  above  itself;  and  that  is  the  best 
education,  which  will  accomplish  this  most 
rapidly,  and  effectually,  in  accordance  with 
the  laws  of  God, — which  always  have  refer- 
ence to  the  greatest  good  and  the  most  truth. 

Anecdote.  A  clergyman,  whose  turn  it 
was  to  preach  in  a  certain  church,  happening 
to  get  wet,  was  standing  before  the  session- 
room  fire,  to  dry  his  clothes ;  and  when  his 
colleague  came  in,  he  asked  him  to  preach  for 
him ;  as  he  was  very  wet.  a  No  Sir,  I  thank 
you;"  was  the  prompt  reply :  "preach  your- 
self,-  you  will  be  dry  enough  in  the  pulpit. ," 

Proverbs.  1.  A  burden  that  one  ckooses,  Is 
not  felt.  2.  A  guilty  conscience  needs  no  accu- 
ser. 3.  jBfter-WTt  is  every  body's  wit.  4.  Enough 
— is  as  good  as  a  feast.  5.  All  is  but  lip  wisdom, 
that  wants  experience.  6.  Better  bend,  than  break. 
7.  Children  and  fools  often  speak  the  truth.  8. 
Out  of  debt,  out  of  danger.  9.  Wade  not  in  un- 
known waters.  10.  Do  what  you  ought,  and  let 
come  what  will.  11.  Empty  vessels  make  the 
greatest  sound-  12.  Pause,  before  you  follow  an 
example. 

Natural  and  Spiritual.  Since  we  are 
possessed  of  both  body  and  soul,  it  is  of  the 
first  importance  that  we  make  use  of  natural 
and  spiritual  means  for  obtaining  good ;  i.  e. 
natural  and  spiritual  truths.  Our  present 
and  eternal  destinies-should  ever  be  kept  in 
m  ind ;  and  that,  which  is  of  the  greatest  mo- 
ment, receive  the  principal  attention:  and, 
since  death-is  only  a  continuation  of  life,  our 
education  should  be  continuous :  both  states 
of  being  will  be  best  attended  to,  when  seen 
and  attended  to  in  connection. 

"Varieties.  1.  Horses  will  often  do  more 
for  a  ichistle,  than  a  whip :  as  some  youth  are 
best  governed  by  a  rod  of  love.  2.  Why  is  a 
bankrupt  like  a  clock?  Because  he  must 
either  stop,  or  go  on  tick.  3.  True  reading 
is  true  exposition.  4.  Conceive  the  inten- 
tions of  the  author,  and  enter  into  the  charac- 
ter. 5.  The  sciences  and  mechanical  arts  are 
the  ministers  of  wisdom,  not  the  end.  6.  Do 
we  love  our  friends  more  when  present,  or 
absent?  7.  All  natural  truths,  which  respect 
the  works  of  God  in  creation,  are  not  onlyrazZ 
natural  truths,  but  the  glasses  and  containing 
principles  of  spiritual  ones. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


19 


8.  The  means  to  be  used,  thus  to  make 
known  my  feelings  and  thoughts,  are  femes, 
words,  looks,  actions,  expression,  and  silence : 
whence  it  appears,  that  the  body  is  the  grand 
medium  of  communication  between  myself 
and  others  ;  for  by  and  through  the  body,  are 
tones,  words,  looks,  and  gestures  produced. 
Thus  I  perceive,  that  the  mind,  is  the  active 
asent,  and  the  body,  the  passive  agent ;  that 
this  is  the  instrument,  and  that  the  perfor- 
mer: here  I  see  the  elements  of  mental  and 
vocal  philosophy. 

9.  The  third  sound  of  A  is  broad: 
ALL,  wall,  awc-tion,  aus-pice ;      viJL/ 
his   vaul-ting  daugh-tex  haul*d        ,-L-, 
the  rfaw-phin  in  the  sauce-pan;  I   //^*\\ 
the   pal-try  sauce-box   waltz"d  j   y___^, 
in  the  tea-sau-cer;   al-oe-it,  the  \    >. 
wutrnk-iah    aw-thor,    dined    on       yVy/ 
reaw-se-ous  saw-sa-ges  ;  the  au-     [A  in  all.) 
burn  pal-ftey  drew  Zaw-rel  pZaw-dits  ;    his 
naugh-xy  dwarf  got  the  groat  through  the 
fau-cit ;  he  thwar-ted  the  fal-ch\on  and  sal- 
ted the  shawl  in  false  tta-ter  ;    the  law-less 

faw-ky  got  m-stall'd  in  the  au-turan,  and 
e-/ra« -ded  the  green  sward  of  its  6aZ-dric 
awn-ing. 

10.  CrniiAS,  a  celebrated  Irish  orator,  pre- 
sents us  with  a  signal  instance,  of  what  can 
be  accomplished  by  assiduity  and  persever- 
ance :  his  enunciation  was  so  precipitate  and 
confused,  that  he  was  called  "stuttering  Jack 
Curran.'"  To  overcome  his  numerous  de- 
fect.?, he  devoted  a  portion  of  every  day  to 
reading  and  reciting  aloud,  slowly,  and  dis- 
tinctly, some  of  the  most  eloquent  extracts  in 
our  language :  and  his  success  was  so  com- 
plete, that  among  his  excellencies  as  a  speak- 
er, was  the  clearness  of  his  articulation,  and 
an  appropriate  intonation,  that  melodized 
every  sentence. 

Kotes.  1.  To  make  this  sound,  drop  and  project  (he  jaw, 
and  shape  the  mouth  as  in  the  engraving:  and  when  vou  wish  to 
produce  a  very  grape  sound,  in  tpeech  or  long,  in  addition  to  the 
shore,  swell  the  tcindpipe,  (which  will  elongate  and  enlarge  the 
vocal  chords,)  and  form  the  voice  as  low  as  possible  in  the  larynx; 
for  the  longer  and  larger  these  chords  are,  the  graver  will  be  the 
voice  :  al9o.  practice  making  sounds,  while  exhaling  and  inhaling, 
to  deepen  the  tones.  This  sound  is  broader  than  the  German  a, 
2.  O  sometimes  has  this  sound :  I  thought  he  caught  the  cough, 
when  he  bought  the  cloth ;  he  wrought,  fought,  and  sought,  but 
talked  naught.  3l  Beware  of  adding  an  r  after  ic,  as  lawr.  jawr, 
fawr,  &c  4.  The  italic  a  in  the  fallowing,  is  broad.  .311  were 
\t  the  throl-dom  of  Wal-ter  Rn-leigh,  who  was  ol-most 
•cold-ed  in  the  cal-dron  of  boi-iag  wa-ter. 

Habits  of  thought.  Thinking  is  to  the 
ttion  is  to  the  body.  We 
may  tear.  read,  and  talk,  till  we  are  gray  ,- 
but  if  we  do  not  think,  and  analyze  our  sub- 
jects, and  look  at  them  in  every  aspect,  and 
see  the  ends,  causes,  and  effects,  they  will  be 
of  little  use  to  us.  In  thinking,  however,  we 
must  think  clearly  and  without  confusion,  as 
we  would  examine  objects  of  tight,  in  order 
to  get  a  perfect  idea  of  them,  fhinkwg — is 
spiritually  seeing,-  and  we  should  always 
think  of  things  so  particularly,  as  to  be  able 


to  describe  them  to  others  with  as  much  ac- 
curacy as  we  do  any  external  objects,  which 
we  have  seen  with  our  material  eyes. 

Anecdote.  Wild  Oats.  After  the  first 
speech,  made  by  the  younger  Pitt,  in  the  House 
of  Commons,  an  old  member  sarcastically  re- 
marked,-"I  apprehend  t\mt  the  young  gentle- 
man has  not  yet  sown  all  his  wild  oats.'''  To 
which  Mr.  Pitt  politely  replied,  in  the  course 
of  an  elaborate  and  eloquent  rejoinder,  "Age 
— has  its  privilege;  and  the  gentleman  him- 
self— affords  an  ample  illustration,  that  I  re- 
tain food  enough  for  geese  to  pick." 

Proverbs.  1.  A  calumny,  tho'  known  to  be 
such,  generally  leaves  a  slain  on  the  reputation. 
2.  A  blow  from  a  frying  pan,  tho'  it  does  not 
hurt,  sullies-  3.  Fair  and  softly,  go  sure  and  far. 
4.  Keep  your  business  and  conscience  well,  and 
they  will  be  sure  to  keep  you  well.  5.  A  man 
knows  no  more,  to  any  purpose,  than  he  practicts. 
6.  Bells  call  others  to  church,  but  enter  not  them- 
selves. 7.  Revenge  a  wrong  by  forgiving  it.  8. 
Venture  not  all  you  have  at  once.  9.  Examine 
your  accounts  and  your  conduct  every  night.  10. 
Call  me  cousin,  but  don't  cozen  me.  11.  Eagles — 
fly  alone,  but  sheep  flock  together.  12.  It  is  good 
ro  begin  well,  but  better  to  end  well. 

Theology — includes  all  religions,  both 
heathen  and  christian,-  and  comprehends 
the  study  of  the  Divine  Being,  his  laws 
and  revelations,  and  our  duty  towards  Him 
and  our  neighbor.  It  may  be  divided  into 
four  grand  divisions ;  viz.  Paganism.  Mahorn- 
edanism,  Judaism,  and  Christianity.  The 
study  of  Theology  is  the  highest  and  noblest 
in  which  we  can  be  engaged:  but  a  mere 
theoretical  knowledge,  like  the  sunbeam  on 
the  mountain  glacier,  may  only  dazzle — to 
blind,-  for,  unless  the  heart  is  warn.' 
love  to  God,  and  love  to  man,  the  coldness 
and  barrenness  of  eternal  death  will  reign  in 
the  soul:  hence,  the  all  of  Religion  relates  to 
life  ;  and  the  life  of  Religion  is — to  do  good 
— for  the  sake  of  good. 

Varieties.  He,  who  studies  books  alone, 
will  know  how  thine-s  ousht  to  be ;  and  he 
who  studies  men,  will  know  h: 

2.  If  you  would  relish  your  food,  labor  for  it; 
if  you  would  enjoy  your  raiment,  pay  for  it 
before  you  wear  it ;  if  you  wonld  sleep  sound- 
ly, take  a  clear  conscience  to  be  . 

3.  The  more  we  follow  nature,  and  o'jey  her 
Jaws,  the  longer  shall  we  live  ;  and  the  far- 
ther we  deviate  from  them,  the  sooner  we 
shall  die.  4.  Always  carry  a  few  proverbs 
with  you  for  constant  use.  5.  Let  compul- 
sion be  used  when  necessary ,-  but  a- 

— never.  6.  In  China,  physicians  are  always 
under  pay.  except  when  their  patrons  are 
sick ,-  then,  their  salaries  are  stopped  till  health 
is  restored.  7.  All  things  speak  ;  note  well 
the  language,  and  gather  wisdom  from  it 
-e — is  but  a  name  for  an  -.f 
Wh:  ;t  :-..■;  —  ;=  O. :". 


20 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


v-u; 


[A  in  AT.] 


11.  Words,  I  see,  are  among  the  principal 
means  used  for  these  important  purposes; 
and  they  are  formed  by  the  organs  of  voice  : 
these  two  things,  then,  demand  my  first  and 
particular  attention,  words  and  voice  ;  words 
are  composed  of  letters  ;  and  the  voice,  is  the 
effect  of  the  proper  actions  of  certain  parts  of 
the  body,  called  vocal  organs,  converting  air 
into  sound ;  which  two  mighty  instruments, 
words  and  voice,  must  be  examined  analyti- 
cally, and  synthetically  ;  without  which  pro- 
cess I  cannot  understand  any  thing. 

12.  The  fourth  sound  of  A  is  short : 
AT,  aft,  add ;  I  had  rath-ex 
have  a  6ar-rel  of  as-par-a-gus, 
than  the  en-am-el  and  ag-ate  ; 
the  ca-oaZ  fox-bade  the  mal-e- 
fac-tox  his  ap-par-el-andjaue- 
lin ;  Char-i-ty  danc'd  in  the 
grare-a-ry  with  Cap-ri-corn ; 
the  mal-con-£e»fs  pass'd  thro'  Ath-ens  in 
i*V&-ru-ar-y ;  his  ram-els  quaff' d  the  As- 
phal-iic  can-aZ  with  fa-ct'Z-i-ty  ;  plas-tex  the 
/aZ- low-ground  of-ter  Jow-u-ar-y  ;  the  ad- 
age an-swers  on  the  ra/w-rade's  staff ;  the 
plaid  tassel  is  man-u-Zac-tur'd  in  France  ; 
he  at-tack'd  the  tar-in  with  ra<'Z-le-ry,  af- 
ter he  had  scath'd  the  block  and  tack-\e  with 
his  ac-id  pag-en-txy  ■ 

13.  The  more  perfect  the  medium,  the 
better  will  it  subserve  the  uses  of  communi- 
cation. Now,  by  analyzing  the  co?istituents 
of  words  and  voice,  I  can  ascertain  whether 
they  are  in  a  condition,  to  answer  the  varied 
purposes  for  which  they  were  given  ;  and 
fortunately  fox  me,  while  I  am  thus  analyz- 
ing the  sounds,  of  which  words  are  com- 
posed, I  shall,  at  the  same  time,  become 
acquainted  with  the  organs  of  voice  and 
hearing,  and  gradually  accustom  them  to  the 
performance  of  their  appropriate  duties. 

Notes.  1.  To  give  the  exact  sounds  of  any  of  the 
vowels,  take  words,  in  which  they  are  found  at  the  beg  inning,  and 
proceed  as  if  you  were  going  to  pronounce  the  whole  word,  but 
stop  the  instant  you  have  produced  theuoiuei  sound  ;  and  that  is  the 
true  one.  2.  Beware  of  clipping  this,  or  any  other  sound,  or 
clianging  it :  not,  I'kn  go,  you'kn  see,  they'kn  come ;  but,  I  can  go ; 
you  can  see ;  they  can  come.  3.  A,  in  ate,  in  verbs,  is  generally 
bmg ;  but  in  other  parts  of  speech  of  more  than  one  syllable,  it  is 
usually  short ;  unless  under  some  accent :  as— intimate  that  to  my 
intimate  friend ;  educate  that  delicate  and  obstinate  child;  he  calcu- 
lates to  aggravate  the  case  of  his  affectionate  and  unfortunate  wife ; 
the  compassionate  son  meditates  how  he  may  alleviate  the  condition 
of  his  disconsolate  mother;  vindicate  your  consulate's  honor  ;  depre- 
cate an  unregenerate  heart,  by  importunate  prayer ;  the  j)rei-ate 
and  primate  calculate  to  regulate  the  ultimates  immediately.  4. 
Observe — that  often  the  sounds  of  vowels  are  sometimes  modified, 

',  by  letters  immediately  preceding  or  succeeding ;  which 
may  be  seen,  as  it  respects  a,  for  instance,  in  ren-e-gade,  mem-brane, 
np-ro-bate,  ran-did-ate,  po-ten-tate,  night-in-gale,  &c.  :  some  hav- 
ing a  slight  accent  on  the  last  syllable  ;  and  others  having  the  a 
preceded,  or  followed  by  a  vocal  consonant:  see  previous  Note  3. 
5.  A  letter  is  called  short,  when  it  cannot  be  prolonged  in  Speech, 

.■in  in  Song,)  without  altering  its  form  ;  and  long,  when 
it  can  be  prolmtged  vrithout  such  change:  therefore,  we  call  a 
sound  lung,  or  short,  because  it  is  seen  and  felt  to  be  so :  as,  cold, 
hot ;  pale,  mat :  in  making  a  long  sound  the  glottis  is  kept  open  in- 
definitely; and  in  making  a  short  one,  it  is  closed  suddenly,  produ- 
cing an  abrupt  sound,  like  some  of  the  consonants. 

Anecdote.  Saving  Fuel.  Some  time  ago, 
when  modern  stoves  were  first  introduced, 
and  olTered  for  sale  in  a  certain  city,  the  ven- 
der remarked,  by  way  of  recommending  them, 


that  one  stove  would  save  half  the  fuel, 

Mr.  Y being  present,  replied,  "  Sir,  I  will 

buy  two  of  them,  if  you  please,  and  then  I 
shall  save  the  whole." 

Proverbs.  1.  All  truths  must  not  be  told  at 
all  times.  2.  A  good  servant  makes  a  good  mas- 
ter. 3.  A  man  in  distress,  or  despair,  does  as 
much  as  ten.  4.  Before  you  make  a  friend,  eat 
a  peck  of  salt  with  him.  5.  Passion — will  master 
you,  if  you  do  not  master  your  passion.  G.  Form 
— is  good,  but  not  formality.  7.  Every  tub  must 
stand  on  its  own  bottom.  8.  First  come,  first  serv'd 
Friendship — cannot  stand  all  on  one  side.  10. 
Idleness — is  the  hot-bed  of  vice  and  ignorance 
11.  He  that  will  steal  a  pin,  will  steal  a  bette? 
thing.  12.  If  you  lie  upon  roses  when  young,  you 
will  lie  upon  thorns  when  old. 

Qualifications  of  Teachers.  Inas 
much  as  the  nature  of  no  one  thing  can  be 
understood,  without  a  knowledge  of  its  origin, 
and  the  history  of  its  formation,  the  qualifi- 
cations of  teachers  are  seen  and  felt  to  be  so 
great,  as  to  induce  the  truly  conscientious  to 
exclaim,  in  view  of  his  duties,  "  Who  is  suffi- 
cient for  these  things  1"  How  can  we  £ii«- 
cate  the  child  in  a  way  appropri  ate  to  his  state 
and  relations,  without  a  knowledge  of  his 
mental  and  physical  structure  ?  Is  not  a 
knowledge  of  psychology  and  physiology  as 
necessary  to  the  educator,  as  the  knowledge 
of  mechanics  is  to  the  maker  or  repairer  of 
a  ivatch  ?  Who  would  permit  a  man  even 
to  repair  a  watch,  (much  less  hire  a  man  to 
make  one,)  who  had  only  seen  its  externals? 
Alas!  how  poorly  qualified  are  nine-tenths 
of  our  teachers  for  the  stations  they  occupy  ! 
almost  totally  ignorant  of  the  nature  and  ori- 
gin of  the  human  mind,  and  the  science  of 
physiology,  which  teaches  us  the  structure 
and  uses  of  the  body.  But  how  little  they 
understand  their  calling,  when  they  suppose 
it  to  be  merely  a  teaching  of  fiooZc-knowIedge ; 
without  any  regard  to  the  development  of 
mind  and  body.  A  teacher  should  possess  a 
good  moral  character,  and  entire  self-control ; 
a  fund  of  knowledge,  and  ability  to  commu- 
nicate it;  a  uniform  temper,  united  with  de- 
cision and  firmness ;  a  mind  to  discriminate 
character,  and  tact  to  illustrate  simply  the 
studies  of  his  pupils;  he  should  be  patient 
and  forbearing;  pleasant  and  affectionate,  and 
be  capable  of  overcoming  all  difficulties,  and 
showing  the  uses  of  knowledge. 

Varieties.  1.  If  one  were  as  eloquent  as 
an  angel,  he  would  please  some  folks,  much 
more  by  listening,  than  by  speaking.  2.  An 
upright  politician  asks — what  recommends  a 
man  ;  a  corrupt  one — who  recommends  him. 
3.  Is  any  law  independent  of  its  maker?  4. 
Kind  words — cost  no  more  than  wttkind  ones. 
5.  Is  it  not  better  to  be  ivise  than  rich  ?  6. 
The  power  of  emphasis — depends  on  concen- 
tration. 7.  Manifested  wisdom — infers  de- 
sign. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


21 


14.  There  are  then,  it  appears,  two  kinds 
of  language;  an  artificial,  or  conventional 
language,  consisting  of  words;  and  a  natu- 
ral language,  consisting  of  tones,  looks,  ac- 
tions, expression,  and  silence  ;  the  former  is 
addressed  to  the  eye,  by  the  book,  and  to  the 
air,  by  speech,  and  must  thus  be  learned ;  the 
latter — addresses  itself  to  both  eye  and  ear,  at 
the  same  moment,  and  must  be  thus  acquired, 
so  far  as  they  can  be  acquired.  To  become 
an  Elocutionist,  I  must  learn  both  these  lan- 
guages ;  that  of  art  and  science,  and  that  of 
the  passions,  to  be  used  according-  to  my  sub- 
ject and  object. 

15.  E  lias  two  regular  sounds  ;  first, 
its  name  sound,  or  long: 
EEL  ;  e-ra,  e-vil ;  nei-ther 
de-ceive  nor  in-uet-gle  the 
item-stress  ;  the  sleek  ?ie-gro 
bleats  like  a  sheep  ;  Cce-sar's 
e-dict  pie-cedes  the  e-poch  of 
tre-movs  ;  the  sheik's  beard 
stream'd  like  a  me-te-or ;  the  ea-gle  shriek'd 
his  pcB-an  on  the  lea;  the  e-go-tist  seemed 
pleas'd  with  his  pZe-na-ry  Zeis-ure  to  see  the 
co-te-rie  ;  JE-ne-as  Leigh  reads  Mo-sheim 
on  the  e-dile\s  heath;  the  peo-ple  ire-pann'd 
the  fiend  for  jeer-ing  his  prem-ier  ;  his  liege, 
at  the  or-gies,  gave  ce-iZ-iads  at  my  niece, 
who  beat  him  with  her  6e-som,  like  a  cav- 
a-lier  in  Greece. 

16.  Since  the  body  is  the  grand  medium, 
for  communicating  feelings  and  thoughts, 
(as  above  mentioned,)  I  must  see  to  it,  that 
each  part  performs  its  proper  office,  without 
infringement,  or  encroachment.  By  observa- 
tion and  experience,  I  perceive  that  the 
mind  uses  certain  parts  for  specific  pur- 
poses ;  that  the  larynx  is  the  place  where 
vocal  sounds  are  made,  and  that  the  power 
to  produce  them,  is  derived  from  the  com- 
bined action  of  the  abdominal  and  dorsal 
muscles.  Both  body  and  mind  are  rendered 
healthy  and  strong,  by  a  proper  use  of  all 
their  organs  and  faculties. 

17.  Irregular  Sounds.  I  and  Y  often 
have  this  sound;  as — a.n-tique,  ton-line  ;  the 
po-Zice  of  the  bas-ZiZe  seized  the  man-da-ri/i 
for  his  ca-price  at  the  mag-a-zirae  ,■  the  u- 
nique  fi-nan-cifir,  fa.-tigued  with  his  bom-ba- 
zine  va-Zise,  in  his  re-treat  from  Mo-bile,  lay 
by  the  toa-rines  in  the  ra-vine,  and  ate  ver- 
di-gris  to  re-lieve  him  of  the  cri-tique.  Sheri- 
dan, Walker  and  Perry  say,  yea  yea,  and  nay 
nay,  making  the  e  long ,-  but  Johnson,  En- 
tick,  Jamieson  and  Webster,  and  the  author, 
pronounce  yea  as  if  spelled  yay.  Words  de- 
rived immediately  from  the  French,  according 
to  the  genius  of  that  language,  are  accented 
on  the  last  syllables ; — ca.-price,  fa.-tigue,  po- 
Zice,  &c. 

Sorrow — treads  heavily,  and  leaves  behind 
A  deep  impression,  e'en  when  she  departs  ; 
While  Joy— trips  by,  with  steps,  as  light  as  wind, 
And  scarcely  leaves  a  trace  upon  our  hearts 
Of  her  faint  foot-falls. 


18.  That  the  body  may  be  free,  to  act  in 
accordance  with  the  dictates  of  the  mind,  all 
unnatural  compressions  and  contractions  must 
be  avoided;  particularly,  cravats  and  stocks 
so  tight  around  the  neck,  as  to  interfere  with 
the  proper  action  of  the  vocal  organs,  and 
the  free  circulation  of  the  blood  ;  also,  tight 
waistcoats  ;  double  suspenders,  made  tight- 
er with  straps  ;  elevating  the  feet  to  a  point 
horizontal  with,  or  above,  the  seat ;  and 
lacing,  of  any  description,  around  the  waist, 
impeding  the  freedom  of  breathing  natural- 
ly and  healthfully. 

Anecdote.  True  Modesty.  When  Wash- 
ington had  closed  his  career,  in  the  French 
and  English  war,  and  become  a  member  of 
the  House  of  Burgesses,  in  Virginia,  the 
Speaker  was  directed,  by  a  vote  of  the  house, 
to  return  thanks  to  him,  for  the  distinguished 
services  he  had  rendered  the  country.  As 
soon  as  Washington  took  his  seat,  as  a  mem- 
ber, Speaker  Robinson  proceeded  to  discharge 
the  duty  assigned  him ;  which  he  did  in  such 
a  manner  as  to  confound  the  young  hero ; 
who  rose  to  express  his  acknowledgments; 
but  such  was  his  confusion,  that  he  was 
speechless  ;  he  blushed,  stammered,  and  trem- 
bled for  a  short  time ;  when  the  Speaker  re- 
lieved him  by  saying — "  Sit  down,  Mr.  Wash- 
ington ;  your  modesty  is  equal  to  your  valor  ; 
and  that — surpasses  the  power  of  any  lan- 
guage that  I  possess." 

Proverbs.  1.  A  blythe  heart  makes  a  bloom- 
ing visage.  2.  A  deed  done  has  an  end.  3.  A 
great  city,  a  great  solitude  4.  Desperate  cuts — 
must  have  desperate  cures.  5.  All  men  are  not 
men.  6.  A  stumble — may  prevent  a.  fall.  7.  A  fool 
always  comes  short  of  his  reckoning.  8.  Beggars 
must  not  be  choosers.  9.  Better  late,  than  never. 
10.  Birds  of  a.  feather  flock  together.  11.  Nothing 
is  lost  in  a  good  market.  12.  All  is  well,  that  ends 
well.     13.  Like  priest,  like  people. 

Varieties.  1.  The  triumphs  of  truth — are 
the  most  glorious,  because  they  are  bloodless  ; 
deriving  their  highest  lustre — from  the  num- 
ber of  the  saved,  instead  of  the  slain.  2.  Wis- 
dom— consists  in  employing  the  best  means, 
to  accomplish  the  most  important  ends.  3. 
He,  who  would  take  you  to  a  place  of  vice,  or 
immorality,  is  not  your  real  friend.  4.  If 
gratitude — is  due  from  man — to  man,  how 
much  more,  from  man — to  his  Maker  !  5. 
Arbitrary  power — no  man  can  either  give,  or 
hold;  even  conquest  cannot  confer  it:  hence, 
law,  and  arbitrary  power — are  at  eternal  en- 
mity. 6.  They  who  take  no  delight  in  vir- 
tue, cannot  take  any — either  in  the  employ- 
ments, or  the  inhabitants  of  heaven.  7.  Be- 
ware of  violating  the  laws  of  Life,  and  you 
will  always  be  met  in  mercy,  and  not  in 
judgment. 

The  calm  of  that  old  reverend  broie,  the  glow 
Of  its  thin  silver  locks,  was  like  a  flash 
Of  sunlight— in  the  pauses  of  a  storm. 


22 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


[E  in  ELL.] 


19.  Having  examined  the  structure  of  the 
body,  I  see  the  necessity  of  standing,  at 
first,  on  the  left  foot,  and  the  right  foot  a 
few  inches  from  it,  (where  it  will  naturally 
fall,  when  raised  up,)  and  pointing  its  heel 
toward  the  hollow  of  the  left  foot ;  of  throw- 
ing the  shoulders  lack,  so  as  to  protrude  the 
ghest,  that  the  air  may  have  free  ac-cess  to 
the  air-cells  of  the  lungs  ;  of  having  the 
upper  part  of  the  body  quiescent,  and  the 
mind  concentrated  on  the  lower  muscles, 
until  they  act  voluntarily. 

30.  The  second  sound  of  E  is  short : 
ELL ;  edge,  en  ;  the  dem-o- 
crafs  ej-i-page  was  a  leath- 
er eph-od ;  the  es-quire  leap'd 
from  the  ped-es-tal  in  the  ket- 
tle of  eggs  ;  a  lep-er  clench'd 
the  eph-a,  zeal-ons  of  the  e6-on 
feath-er,  and  held  it  stead-y ; 
get  the  non-pa-ret'Z  weap-ons  for  the  rec- 
on-dite  Aer-o-ine  ;  the  ap-prera-tice  ior-gets 
the  shek-e\s  lent  the  deaf  prel-ate  for  his 
her-o-ine  ;  the  clean-\y  leg-ate  held  the  tep- 
id mead-ow  for  a  spe-cial  home-stead  ;  ster- 
e-o-type  the  pref-ace  to  the  ten-ets  as  a  prel- 
ude to  our  e<2-i-ble  re-tro-spec-tions ;  yes- 
ter-day  I  guess'd  the  fet-id  yeast  es-caped 
with  an  ep-i-sode  from  the  ep-ic  into  the 
petals  ofthe  sen-na ;  the  pres-age  is  im- 
press'd  on  his  ret-i-na  in-stead  of  the  keg  of 
phlegm. 

21.  In  these  peculiar  exercises  of  voice — 
are  contained  all  the  elements,  or  principles 
of  articulation,  accent,  emphasis  and  expres- 
sion ;  and,  by  their  aid,  with  but  little  ex- 
ertion, I  shall  be  enabled  to  economize  my 
breath,  for  protracted  vocal  efforts,  and  im- 
part all  that  animation,  brilliancy  and  force, 
that  reading,  speaking  and  singing  ever  re- 
quire. 

23.  Irregulars.  A,  I,  U,  and  Y,  some- 
times have  this  sound :  as — an-y,  or  man-y 
pan-e-gyr-ists  of  Mar-y-land  said, — the  bur- 
y-ing  ground  a-gainst  the  world;  says  the 
tan-cet  to  the  trum-r>et — get  out  of  my  way 
ti-gain,  else  the  bur-i-al  ser-vice  will  be  said 
over  you  in  the  black-ness  of  dark-ness ;  there 
is  sick-ncss  in  the  &ase-ment  of  our  plan-et, 
from  the  use  of  as-sa-/a?H-da,  in-stead  of  her- 
rings: never  say  sus-pect  for  ex-pect,  busi- 
ness for  busi-ness,  pay-munt  for  pay-ment, 
nor  gar-mwnts  for  gar-ments. 

23.  As  much  depends  on  the  quality  of 
which  any  thing  is  made,  I  must  attend  to 
the  manner,  in  which  these  sounds  are  pro- 
duced, and  see  that  they  are  made  just  right; 
each  having  its  appropriate  weight,  form, 
and  quantity.  Taking  the  above  position, 
and  opening  the  mouth  wide,  turning  my 
lips  a  little  out  all  round,  trumpet  fashion, 
and  keeping  my  eyes  on  a  horizontal  level, 
and  inhaling  full  breaths,  I  will  expel  these 
sixteen  vowel  sounds  into  the  roof  of  my 
mouth,  with  a  suddenness  and  force  similar 
to  the  crack  of  a  thong,  or  the  sound  of  a  gun. 
An  ape — is  an  ape,  a  varlcl — is  a  varlet, 
Let  them  be  clothed  in  silk,  or  scarlet. 


Notes,  l.  To  make  this  sound  of  E,  drop  the  under  jxw, 
open  the  mouth  wide,  as  indicated  by  the  engraving,  so  as  to  pre- 
vent it  from  becoming  in  the  least  nasal.  2.  £,  in  cut,  ence,  and 
ess,  generally  has  this  sound  j  tho*  sometimes  it  elides  into  short 
u.  3.  When  e  precedes  two  r's  (rr,)  it  should  always  have  this 
sound :  as  err,  er-ror,  mer-it,  cher-ry,  wher-ry:  but  when  followed 
by  only  one  r,  it  glides  into  short  u,  tho'  the  under  jaw  should  be 
much  depressed:  as — the  mer-chant  heard  the  clerk  calling  on  the 
ser-geant  for  mer-cy ;  let  the  ter-ma-gant  learn  that  the  pearls  were 
jerked  from  the  rob-ber  in  the  tav-ern.  /  is  similarly  situated  in 
certain  words  :  the  girls  and  birds  in  a  mirth-ful  cir-cle,  sang  dir- 
ges to  the  virgin :  see  short  u.  4.  E  is  silent  in  the  last  syllable  of — 
e-ven  the  shov-els  are  broken  in  the  oven ;  a  weasel  opens  the  nov- 
el, with  a  sick-ening  sniv-elj  driv-tn  by  a  deaf-ening  ti-tle  from 
heav-en,  he  was  of-ten  taken  and  shaken  till  he  was  softened  and 
ri-pened  seven,  e-leven  or  a  doz-en  times.  5.  The  long  vowels  are 
open  and  continuous ;  the  short  ones  are  shut,  abrupt,  or  discrete, 
and  end  as  soon  as  made. 

Anecdote.  A  lawyer,  to  avenge  himself 
on  an  opponent,  wrote  "Rascal "  in  his  hat. 
The  owner  of  the  hat  took  it  up,  looked  rue- 
fully into  it,  and  turning  to  the  Judge,  ex- 
claimed, "  I  claim  the  protection  of  this  hon- 
orable court ; — for  the  opposing  counsel  has 
written  his  name  in  my  hat,  and  I  have  strong 
suspicion  that  he  intends  to  make  off  with  it." 
Proverbs.  1.  Make  both  ends  meet.  2.  Fair 
play — is  a  jewel.  3.  Proverbs  existed  before  books. 
Ml  blood  is  alike  ancient.  5.  Beauty — is  only  skin 
deep.  6.  Handsome  is,  that  handsome  does.  7. 
One  fool  makes  many.  8.  Give  every  one  his  due. 
9.  No  rose  without  a  thorn.  10.  Always  have  a 
few  maxims  on  hand  for  change. 

Sublimity  and  Pathos.  As  weak  lights 
— are  obscured,  when  surrounded  by  the  daz- 
zling rays  of  the  sun,  so,  sublimity,  poured 
around  on  every  side,  overshadows  the  arti- 
fices of  rhetoric :  the  like  of  which  occurs  in 
painting ;  for,  tho'  the  light  and  shade,  lie 
near  each  other,  on  the  same  ground,  yet,  the 
light  first  strikes  the  eye,  and  not  only  ap- 
pears projecting,  but  much  nearer.  Thus, 
too,  in  composition,  the  sublime  and  pathetic 
— being  nearer  our  souls,  on  account  of  some 
natural  connection  and  superior  splendor,  are 
always  more  conspicuous  than  figures ;  they 
conceal  their  art,  and  keep  themselves  veiled 
from  our  view. 

Sounds.  1.  The  whole  sound  made  is  not  in 
the  whole  air  only  ;  but  the  whole  sound  is  in 
every  particle  of  air :  hence,  all  sound  will  enter  a 
small  cranny  unconfused.  2.  At  too  great  a  dis- 
tance, one  may  hear  sounds  of  the  voice,  but  not 
the  words.  3.  One  articulate  sound  confounds 
another  ;  as  when  many  speak  at  once.  4.  Ar- 
ticulation requires  a  mediocrity  of  loudness. 

"Varieties.  I.  See  how  we  apples  swim. 
2.  He  carries  two  faces.  3.  Strain  at  a  gate 
and  swallow  a  saw-mill.  4.  Who  is  the  true 
gentleman  1  He  whose  actions  make  him 
such.  5.  A  sour  countenance  is  a  manifest 
sign  of  afroward  disposition.  6.  Speak — as 
you  mean  ;  do — as  you  profess,  and  perform 
what  you  promise.  7.  To  be  as  nothing,  is 
an  exalted  state:  the  omnipotence  of  the 
heavens — exists  in  the  truly  humbled  heart. 
Whatever  way  you  wend, 
Consider  well  the  end- 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


23 


24. 1  observe  that  there  are  three  distinct 
principles  involved  in  oral  words,  which 
are  their  essences,  or  vowel  sounds ;  their 
forms,  or  the  consonants  attached  to  them, 
and  their  meaning,  or  uses.  By  a  quick, 
combined  action  of  the  lower  muscles  upon 
their  contents,  the  diaphragm  is  elevated  so 
as  to  force  the  air,  or  breath,  from  the  lungs 
into  the  windpipe,  and  through  the  larynx, 
where  it  is  converted  into  vowel  sounds; 
which,  as  they  pass  out  through  the  mouth, 
the  glott-s,  epiglottis,  palate,  tongue,  teeth, 
lips,  and  nose,  make  into  words. 

25.  I  lias  two  regular  sounds:  First, 
lis  name  sound, orlong:  ISLE;  , 
ire,  i-o-dine  :  Gen-tiles  o-blige 
their  wines  to  lie  for  sac-cha- 
rine  ZMaes  to  ex-pe-dite  their/e- 
line  gibes  ;  the  ob-lique  grind- 
stone lies  length-wise  on  the  ho- 
ri-zon  ;  a  ti-ny  le-iu'-a-than,  on  t' in  isle.] 
the  heights  of  the  en-ri-rons  of  ^.r-gives, 
as-pires  to  sigh  through  the  wu'-cro-scope ; 
the  e-dile  likes  spike-nard  for  his  he-Z;-a- 
cal  ti-a-ra ;  the  mice,  in  tri-ads,  hie  from  the 
aisle,  si-ne  di-e,  by  a  vi-va  vo-ce  vote  ;  the 
6t-na-ry  cK-gest  of  the  chrys-ta-Zme  ma-g\, 
was  hir'd  by  the  choir,  as  a  si-ne-cure,  tor 
a  Zi-vre. 

26.  These  vocal  gymnastics  produce  as- 
tonishing power  and  flexibility  of  voice, 
making  it  strong,  clear,  liquid,  musical  and 
governable ;  and  they  are  as  healthful  as 
they  are  useful  and  amusing.  As  there  is 
only  one  straight  course  to  any  point,  so, 
there  is  but  one  right  way  of  doing  any 
thing,  and  every  thing.  If  I  wish  to  do  any 
thing  well.  I  must  first  learn  how;  and  if  I 
begin  right,  and  keep  so,  every  step  will 
carry  me  forward  in  accomplishing  my  06- 
jects. 

3Votes.  1.  y,  m  some  words,  has  this  sound  ;  particularly, 
when  acaated,  and  at  the  end  of  certain  nouns  and  verbs:  the  ly. 
ce-uni's  al-/jy  prrpk^-cy  to  the  rfy-nas-ty  to  ma^g-ni-fy  other's  faults, 
but  min-i-fy  its  own.  2.  This  first  dip-thongal  sound  begins 
nearly  like  21  A,  as  the  engraving  indicates,  and  ends  with  the 
name  sound  of  e  a  ^e.)  3.  /is  notused  inanypurelyEnglishword 
as  a  final  letter :  y  being  its  representative  in  such  a  position.  4. 
When  /  commences  a  word,  and  is  in  a  syllable  by  itself,  if  the  ac- 
cent be  on  the  weeeedmg  syllable,  it  is  generally  long :  as,  i^fc-a, 
i-<£tn-ti-fy,  i-cfc.'-a-try,  i-raJ-ci-ble,  i-ron-i-cal,  i-roMc,  i-*m-e-rant, 
&c  It  is  long  in  the  first  syllables  of  vi-f  a7-i-ty,  di-am-e-ter,  di-ur- 
nal,  di-te-m-ma,  bi-en-ni-al,  cri-(e-ri-on,  chi-me-ra,  bi-og-ra-phy,  li- 
cen-tious,  gi-garc-tic,  pri-me-val,  vi-frra-tion,  &c.  5.  In  words  de- 
rived from  the  Greek  and  Latin,  the  prefixes  bi,  (twice,)  and  tri, 
(thrice,!  the  /  is  generally  long. 

Anecdote.  Seeing  a  Wind.  "I  never 
saw  such  a  wind  in  all  my  life  ,■"  said  a  man, 
during  a  severe  storm,  as  he  entered  a  tem- 
perance hotel.  "Saw  a  wind.'"  observed 
another, — ••  What  did  it  look  like  1 "  " Like/" 
said  the  traveller,  "  why,  like  to  have  blown 
my  hat  off." 

On  a  Mummy. 
Why  should  this  worthless  tegument — endure, 

If  its  undying  guest — be  lost  forever  ? 
O  let  us  keep  the  soul — embalmed  and  pure 

In  living  virtue  ;  that  when  both  must  sever, 
Although  corruption — may  our  frame  consume, 
Th'  immortal  spirit — in  the  shies  may  bloom. 


Proverbs.  1.  A  crowd,  is  not  company.  2. 
A  drowning  man  will  catch  at  a  straw.  3.  Half 
a  loaf  is  better  than  no  bread.  4.  An  ill  work- 
man quarrels  with  his  tools.  5.  Better  be  alone 
than  in  bad  company.  6.  Count  not  your  chick- 
ens before  they  are  hatched.  7.  Every  body's 
business,  is  nobody's  business.  8.  Fools — make 
feasts,  and  wise  men  eat  them.  9.  He  that  will 
not  be  counselled,  cannot  be  helped.  10.  If  it  were 
not  for  hope,  the  heart  would  break.  11.  Kind- 
ness will  creep,  when  it  cannot  walk.  12.  Oil  and 
truth  will  get  uppermost  at  last. 

General  Intelligence.  It  is  a  signal 
improvement  of  the  present  day,  that  the  ac- 
tions and  reactions  of  ftoofe-Iearning,  and  of 
general  intelligence — are  so  prompt,  so  in- 
tense, and  so  pervading  all  ranks  of  society. 
The  moment  a  discovery  is  made,  a  principle 
demonstrated,  or  a  proposition  advanced, 
through  the  medium  of  the  press,  in  every 
part  of  the  world ;  it  finds,  immediately,  a 
host,  numberless  as  the  sands  of  the  sea,  pre- 
pared to  take  it  up,  to  canvass,  confirm,  re- 
fute, or  pursue  it.  At  every  wafer-fall,  on 
the  line  of  every  canal  and  rail-road,  in  the 
count  in  g-TOom  of  every  factory  and  mercan- 
tile establishment ;  on  the  quarter-deck  of 
every  ship  that  navigates  the  high  seas  ,•  on 
the  farm  of  every  intelligent  husbandman  ; 
in  the  ivorkshap  of  every  skillful  mechanic  ; 
at  the  desk  of  every  scZiOoZ-master ;  in  the  of- 
fice of  the  lawyer,-  in  the  study  of  \\ie  physi- 
cian and  clergyman  ;  at  the  fireside  of  every 
man  who  has  the  elements  of  a  good  educa- 
tio?i,  not  less  than  in  the  professed  retreats  of 
learning,  there  is  an  intellect  to  seize,  to 
weigh,  and  to  appropriate  the  suggestions, 
whether  they  belong  to  the  world  of  science, 
of  tenets,  or  of  morals. 

Varieties.  1.  Ought  ivomen  be  allowed 
to  vote  ?  2.  Nothing  is  troublesome,  that  we 
do  willingly.  3.  There  is  a  certain  kind  of 
pleasure  in  weeping ,-  grief — is  soothed  and 
alleviated,  by  tears.  4.  Labor  hard  in  the 
field  of  observation,  and  turn  every  tiling  to  a 
good  account.  5.  What  is  a  more  lovely  sight, 
than  that  of  a  youth,  growing  up  under  the 
heavenly  influence  of  goodness  and  truth  ? 

6.  To  speak  ill,  from  knoivledge,  shows  a 
want  of  character;  to  speak  ill — upon  sus- 
picion,  shows  a  want  of  honest  principle 

7.  To  be  perfectly  resigned  in  the  whole  I  fe 
and  in  its  every  desire,  to  the  icill  and  govern- 
ance of  the  Divine  Providence,  is  a  worship 
most  pleasing  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord. 

To  me,  tho'  bath'd  in  sorrow's  dew, 

The  dearer,  far,  art  thou  : 
I  lov'd  thee,  when  thy  woes  were  few  : 

And  can  I  altei — now  ? 
That  face,  in  joy's  bright  hour,  was  fair  ; 
More  beauteous,  since  grief  is  there  ; 

Tho'  somewhat  pale  thy  brow  ; 
And  be  it  mine,  to  soothe  the  pain, 
Thus  pressing  on  thy  heart  and  brain. 


24 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


37.  Articulation  is  the  cutting  out  and 
shaping,  in  a  perfectly  distinct  and  appro- 
priate manner,  with  the  organs  of  speech, 
all  the  simple  and  compound  sounds  which 
our  twenty-six  letters  represent.  It  is  to 
the  ear  what  a  fair  hand-writing  is  to  the 
eye,  and  relates,  of  course,  to  the  sounds, 
not  to  the  names,  of  both  vowels  and  conso- 
nants. It  depends  on  the  exact  positio?is 
and  correct  operations,  of  the  vocal  powers, 
and  on  the  ability  to  vary  them  with  rapid- 
ity, precision  and  effect:  thus,  articulation 
is  purely  an  intellectual  act,  and  belongs 
not  to  any  of  the  brute  creation. 

28.  THe  second  sound  of  I  is  short : 
IL  j  ;  inn,  imp  ;  the  ser-vile 
spir-it  of  a  rep-tile  Z/6-er-tine  is 
kos-tile  to  fem-i-mne  ri-aVZ-i- 
ty;  the  pu-er-ile  a'zs-ci-pline 
of  wzer-can-tile  chi-cane-ry,  is 
the  ar-tif-i-cer  of  miZ-i-ta-ry 
des-po-tism  ;  the  fer-tlle  eg-  [I  in  ILL-^ 
ian-tine  isoVs-thi'd  for  a  jK-ve-nile  gift;  the 
gen-u-me  pro-file  of  Cap-tain  White-field  is 
the  an-fip-o-des  of  in-di-vi-si-oiZ-i-ty  ;  the 
wind,  in  the  vi-cin-i-ty  of  mount  Lio-a-nus, 
is  a  me-di-ci-nal  for  the  con-spir-a-cy  of  the 
brig-and ;  the  pris-tine  /ozm-tains  of  the 
ad-a-?/io7i-tine  spring  is  swZ-lied  with  the 
guil-Xy  gml-o-tine  ;  man  is  an  ez-quis-ite 
e-p^-o-me  of  the  m-fi-nite  Di-um-i-ty,  and 
should  be  stud-ied  as  def-i-nhe-ly  as  pos- 
sible. 

39.  Two  grand  objects  are,  to  correct  bad 
habits,  and  form  good  ones  ;  which  may  be 
done  by  the  practice  of  analysis  and  syn- 
thesis  :  that  is,  taking  compound  sounds, 
syllables,  words,  and  sentences  into  pieces  ; 
or,  resolving  them  into  their  component 
parts,  and  then  recombining,  or  putting  them 
together  again.  Error  must  be  eradicated, 
or  truth  cannot  be  received  ;  we  must  cease 
to  do  evil,  and  learn  to  do  well :  what  is 
true  can  be  received  only  in  proportion  as 
its  opposite  false  is  removed. 

30.  Irregulars.  A,  E,  0,  U,  and  T,  in  a 
few  words,  have  this  sound  :  as — the  Aom-age 
giv-en  to  pret-ly  wom-en  has  been  the  rich-est 
bus-'ness  of  pet-ty  tyr-an-ny,  since  the  English 
proph-e-cy  of  Py-fAao-o-rus  ;  the  styg-i-an  fur- 
nace of  bus-y  Wal-lace,  in  Hon-ey  aZ-ley,  is  a 
med-ley  of  pyr-i-tes,  and  the  treb-le  cyn-o-suie 
of  c ;/o--nets,  Ays-sop,  and  syn-o-nyms. 

Notes.  1.  Beware  of  Mr.  Walker's  error,  in  giving  the 
sound  of  long  E  to  the  final  unaccented  J  and  Y  of  syllables  and 
words,  which  is  always  short:  as, — as-per-ee-tee,  for  as-per-i-ty, 
Tnee-nor-ee-tee,  for  mi-nor-i-ty;  c/iar-ee-tee  for  c/iar-i-tyj  pos-see- 
o  1-ee-tee,  for  pos-si-WM-ty,  &&  2.  Some  give  the  short  sound  of 
J  to  A  in  the  unaccented  syllables  of — ad-age,  cafc-bage,  pos-tage, 
ton-dage,  u-sage,  &c,  which  is  agreeable  to  the  authorities,  and  to 
give  the  a  as  iu  at,  savors  of  aifectation.  3.  /  is  silent  in  evil,  de- 
\il,  cousin,  basin,  &c.  4.  /,  in  final  unaccented  syllables,  not 
ending  a  word,  is  generally  short;  si-miZ-i-tude,  fi-acZ-i-ty,  mi- 
nor-i-ty. 

A  bark,  at  midnight,  sent  atone — 

To  drift  upon  a  moonless  sea, — 
A  lute,  whose  leading  chord — is  gone, 
A  wounded  bird,  that  has  but  one 
Imperfect  wing — to  soar  upon, — 
Is  like  what  I  am  —  wi  hout  thee. 


Anecdote.  Accommodating.  A  Physi- 
cian— advertised,  that  at  the  request  of  his 
friends,  he  had  moved  near  the  churc.h-ya.rd ; 
and  trusted  that  his  removal  would  accom- 
modate many  of  his  patients.    No  doubt  of  it 

Proverbs.  1.  A  thousand  probabilities  will 
not  make  one  truth.  2.  A  hand-snxv  is  a  good 
thing,  but  not  to  shave  with.  3.  Gentility,  with- 
out ability,  is  worse  than  beggary.  4.  A  man 
may  talk  like  a  wise  man,  and  yet  act  like  a  fool, 
o.  If  we  would  succeed  in  any  thing,  we  must  use 
the  proper  means.  6.  A  liar  should  have  a  good 
memory.  7.  Charity  begins  at  home,  but  does 
not  end  there.  8.  An  ounce  of  mother  wit  is 
worth  a  pound  of  learning.  9.  Short  reckonings 
make  long  friends.  10.  Custom  is  the  plague  of 
wise  men,  and  the  idol  of  fools.  11.  Every  one 
knows  best  where  his  own  shoe  pinches.  A  faint 
heart  never  won  a  fair  lady. 

Freedom,  When  freedom  is  spoken  of, 
every  one  has  an  idea  of  what  is  meant ;  for 
every  one  has  known  what  it  is  to  live  in 
freedom,  and  also  what  it  is  to  live,  and  act 
under  restraint.  But  then  it  is  obvious 
that  different  persons  feel  in  freedom,  ac- 
cording to  circumstances  ;  things  which  re- 
strain and  infringe  upon  the  freedom  of 
some,  have  no  such  effect  upon  others.  So 
that  in  the  same  situation  in  which  one 
would  feel  free,  another  would  feel  himself 
in  bondage.  Hence,  it  is  evident  that  tho' 
aZZ  have  a  general  idea  of  what  freedom  is, 
yet  all  have  not  the  same  idea  of  it.  For 
as  different  persons  would  not  all  be  free  in 
the  same  circumstances,  it  follows,  that  free- 
dom itself  is  not  the  same  thing  to  all.  Of 
course,  the  kinds  of  freedom  are  as  many 
and  various  as  the  kinds  of  love  are  by  which 
we  are  all  governed:  and  our  freedom  is 
genuine  or  not  genuine,  according  as  our 
ruling  love  is  good  or  evil. 

Varieties.    1.  Did  you  ever  consider  how 
many  millions  of  people — Hue,  and  die,  igno- 
rant of  themselves  and  the  world?    2.  Stin- 
giness soon  becomes  a  confirmed  habit,  and 
increases  with  our  years.    3.  The  man,  who 
is  just,  and  firm  in  his  purpose,  cannot  be 
shaken  in  his  determined  mi/fl,  either  by 
threats  or  promises.    4.  By  continually  scol- 
ding children  and  domestics,  for  small  faults, 
they  finally  become  accustomed  to  it,  and  de- 
spise the  reproof.    5.  Good  books — are  not 
only  anourishment  to  the  mind,  but  they  en- 
lighten and  expand  it.    6.  Why  do  we  turn 
from  those  living  in  this  world,  to  those  who 
have  left  it,  for  the  evidences  of  genuine  love  ? 
7.  All  principles  love  their  nearest  relatives, 
and  seek  felloivship  and  conjunction  with 
them. 
There  are  some  bosoms — dark  and  drear, 
Which  an  umvater'd  desert  are  ; 
Yet  there,  a  curious  eye,  may  trace 
Some  smiling  spot,  some  verdant  place, 
Where  little  flowers,  the  weeds  between 
Spend  their  soft  fragrance—  all  unseen. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


25 


31.  The  organs  of  speech  are,  the  dorsal 
and  abdominal  muscles,  the  diaphragm  and 
intercostal  muscles,  the  thorax  or  chest, 
the  lungs,  the  trachea  or  wind-pipe,  the 
larynx,  (.composed  of  five  elastic  cartilages, 
the  upper  one  being  the  epiglottis,)  the  glot- 
tis, palate,  tongue,  teeth,  lips  and  nose : 
but,  in  all  efforts,  we  must  use  the  whole 
body.  All  vowel  sounds  are  made  in  the 
larynx,  or  vocal  box,  and  all  the  consonant 
sounds  above  this  organ. 

3'3.  O  has  three  regular  sounds  :  first, 
its  name  sound,  or  long:  OLD  ; 
the  s1oih-f\il  doge  copes  with  the 
fio-risl  before  Fha-raoh,  and 
sows  on-\y  yel-\ow  oats  and  o- 
sier  ;  the  home-ly  por-trait  of  the 
a-frocious  goZd-smith  is  the  yeo- 
man-ry's  pil-\ow ;  Job  won't  go 
to  Rome  and  pour  tal-\o\v  o-ver  the  broach 
of  the  pre-co-cious  wid-ow  Gross;  the 
whole  corps  of  for-gers  tore  the  tro-phy 
from  the  fel-low's  nose,  and  told  him  to 
store  it  under  the  po-ten-tate's  so-fa,  where 
the  de-co-rus  pa-trol  pour'd  the  hoa-ry  min- 
nows. 

33.  A  correct  and  pure  articulation,  is 
indispensable  to  the  public  speaker,  and  es- 
sential in  private  conversation  :  every  one, 
therefore,  should  make  himself  masfer  of  it. 
All,  who  are  resolved  to  acquire  such  an 
articulation,  and  faithfully  use  the  means, 
(which  are  here  furnished  in  abundance,) 
will  most  certainly  succeed,  though  opposed 
by  slight  organic  defects  ;  for  the  mind  may 
obtain  supreme  control  over  the  whole  body. 

31.  Irregulars.  A u,Eau,  and  En-,  have 
this  sound  in  a  few  words:  The  beau  Ros- 
■  th  mourn-ful  hsa-teur,  stole  the  haut- 
boy, bu-reau,  cha-teau  and  flam-beau,r,  and 
poked  them  into  his  port-manteau,  before  the 
belle  sowed  his  toe  to  the  har-row,  for  strew- 
ing the  sAew-bread  on  the  plat-eau. 

Anecdote.  A  Narrow  Escape.  A  pedan- 
tic English  traveler,  boasting  that  he  had  been 
so  fortunate,  as  to  escape  Mr.  Jefferson's  ce- 
1  non-importation  law,  was  told  by  a 
Yankee  lady,  "  he  was  a  very  lucky  man :  for 
she  understood  that  the  non-importation  law 
prohibited  the  importing  of  goods,  of  which 
brass — was  the  chief  composition.'''' 

Proverbs.  1.  Affairs,  like  salt-fish,  should 
hj  a  long  time  scakiyig.  2.  A  fool's  tongue,  like 
a  MonKey's  tail,  designates  the  animal.  3.  All 
are  not  thieves  that  dogs  bark  at.  4.  An  ant  may 
work  its  heart  out,  but  it  can  never  make  honey. 
5.  Better  go  around,  than  fall  into  the  ditch.  6. 
Church  work  generally  goes  on  slowly.  7.  Those, 
whom  guilt  contaminates,  it  renders  equal.  8. 
Force,  without  forecast,  is  little  worth.  9.  Gen- 
tthtii.  without  ability,  is  wor3e  than  plain  beg- 
gary. 10.  Invite,  rather  than  avoid  labor.  11. 
He'll  go  to  law,  at  the  wagging  of  a  straw 
Ilobson's  choice, — that,  or  none. 

'Tis  not,  indeed,  my  talent — to  engage 
In  lofty  trifles ;  or,  to  swell  my  page — 
With  wind,  and  noise- 


12. 


Natural  Philosophy — includes  all  sub- 
stances that  affect  our  five  senses, — hearing, 
seeing,  tasting,  smelting  and  feeling  ;  which 
substances  are  called  matter,  and  exist  in 
three  states,  or  conditions, — solid,  when  the 
particles  cohere  together,  so  as  not  to  be  easily 
separated;  as  rocks,  tvood, trees, &c. :  liquid, 
when  they  cohere  slightly,  and  separate 
freely ;  as  water :  and  gaseous,  or  aeriform 
state,  when  they  not  only  separate  freely, 
but  tend  to  recede  from  each  other,  as  far  as 
the  space  they  occupy,  or  their  pressure  will 
permit, — as  air,  &c. 

Educators,  and  Education.  We  all 
must  serve  an  apprenticeship  to  the  five 
senses  ;  and,  at  every  step,  we  need  assist- 
ance in  learning  our  trade  :  gentleness,  pa- 
tience, and  love — are  almost  every  thing  in 
education  :  they  constitute  a  mild  and  bless- 
ed atmosphere,  which  enters  into  a  child's 
soul,  like  sunshine  into  the  rosebud,  slowly, 
but  surely  expanding  it  into  vigor  and 
beauty.  Parents  and  Teachers  must  govern 
their  own  feelings,  and  keep  their  hearts 
and  consciences  pure,  following  principle, 
instead  of  impulse.  The  cultivation  of  the 
affections  and  the  development  of  the  body's 
senses,  begin  together.  The  first  effort  of 
intellect  is  to  associate  the  names  of  objects 
with  the  sight  of  them  ;  hence,  the  neces- 
sity of  early  habits  of  observation — of  pay- 
ing attention  to  surrounding  things  and 
events  ;  and  enquiring  the  whys  and  where- 
fores of  every  thing;  this  will  lead  to  the  qual- 
ities, shapes,  and  states  of  inanimate  sub- 
stances ;  such  as  hard,  soft,  round,  square, 
hot,  cold,  swift,  slow.  &c. ;  then  of  vegeta- 
bles, afterwards  of  animals  ;  and  finally,  of 
men,  angels,  and  God.  In  forming  the 
human  character,  we  must  not  proceed  as 
the  sculptor  does,  in  the  formation  of  a  sta- 
tue, working  sometimes  on  one  part,  then 
on  another;  but  as  natu  re  does  in  forming 
r,  or  any  other  production  ;  throwing 
out  altogether  the  whole  system  of  being, 
and  all  the  rudiments  of  every  part. 

Varieties.  1.  The  just  man  will  flourish 
in  spite  of  envy.  2.  Disappointment  and 
suffering,  arc  the  school  of  wisdom.  3.  Is 
corporeal  punishment  necessary  in  the  school, 
army  and  navy?  4.  Every  thing  within  the 
scope  of  human  power,  can  be  accomplished 
by  well-directed  efforts.  5.  Woman  —  the 
morning-stsi  of  our  youth,  the  day-star  of 
our  manhood,  and  the  evening-star  of  our  age. 
6.  When  Newton  was  asked — by  what  means 
he  made  his  discoveries  in  science  ;  he  replied, 
"hy  thinking."  7.  Infinity — can  never  be 
received  fully — by  any  recipient,  either  m 
heaven,  or  on  earth. 
The  silver  eel,  in  shining  volumes  roll'd, 
The  yellow  carp,  in  scales  bedropp'd  with  gold; 
Round  broken  columns,  clasping  ivy  twin'd, 
And  o'er  the  ruins — stalk'd  the  stately  hind. 

O  cursed  thirst  of  gold  !  when,  for  thy  sake, 
The  fool — throws  up  his  interest  in  both  worlds  ; 
First,  starv'd  in  this,  then,  damn'd — in  that  toeomft. 


26 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


35.  Attend  to  the  quantity  and  quality  of 
the  sounds,  which  you  and  others  make ; 
that  is,  the  volume  and  purity  of  voice,  the 
time  occupied,  and  the  manner  of  enuncia- 
ting letters,  words,  and  sentences  :  also, 
learn  their  differences  and  distinctions,  and 
make  your  voice  produce,  and  your  ear  ob- 
serve  them.  Get  clear  and  distinct  ideas 
and  conceptions  of  things  and  principles, 
both  as  respects  spirit,  and  matter  ;  or  you 
will  grope  in  darkness. 

36.  The  second  sound  of  O  is  close : 

OOZE;  do  stoop,  and  choose  .  1 
to  ac-cou-tre  the  gour-mand  /^T]  \ 
and  trou-ba- dour,  with  boots' //y^\\\ 
and  shoes;  the  soot-y  cou-ri-er  <\^Z^>  ) 
broods  a  youth-tnl  boor  to  gam-  —  '/ 
boge  the  goose  for  a  dou-ceur  ;  ._  .    ._„„  , 

o °        1  /t>  \  xi.       [°  in  OOZE.] 

Brougham,  (Broom,)  proves  the 
uncouth  dra-goon  to  be  a  wound-ed  toic-rist 
by  his  droop-iug  snx-tout ;  it  be-hoves  the 
fcoo-by  to  snoot  his  bou-sy  7*oo-dle  soon, 
lest,  owo-yant  with  soup,  the  fool  moor  his 
poor  ca-noe  to  the  roof  of  the  moon. 

37.  The  difference  between  expulsion 
and  explosion  is,  that  the  latter  calls  into 
use,  principally,  the  lungs,  or  thorax  :  i.  e. 
the  effort  is  made  too  much  above  the  dia- 
phragm :  the  former  requires  the  combined 
action  of  the  muscles  below  the  midriff;  this 
is  favorable  to  voice  and  health  ;  that  is  de- 
leterious, generally,  to  both:  many  a  one  has 
injured  his  voice,  by  this  unnatural  process, 
and  others  have  exploded  their  health,  and 
some  their  life  ;  beware  of  it. 

Notes.  1.  Au,  in  some  French  words,  have  this  sound  ; 
35 — chef-d'eau-vre,  (she-doovr,  a  master  stroke ;)  also,  Eu  ;  as— ma- 
neu-vre;  coup-d'ceil,  (coo-dale,  first,  or  slight  view;)  coup-de- 
mam,  (a  sudden  attack ;)  and  coup-de-grace,  (coo-de-£rras,  the  fin- 
ishing stroke).  2.  Beware  of  Walker's  erroneous  notation  in  pro- 
nouncing oo  in  book,  cook,  took,  looh,  &c,  like  the  second  sound  of  o, 
&.  in  boon,  pool,  tooth,  &c.  In  these  first  examples,  the  oo  is  I  ike  u  in 
pull ;  and  in  the  latter  the  o  is  close.  In  the  word  to,  in  the  following, 
when  it  constitutes  a  part  of  the  verb,  the  o  is  close :  as — "in  the 
examples  alluded  to ;"  "  attend  t'  the  exceptions."  3.  In  concert 
practice,  many  will  let  out  their  voices,  who  would  read  so  low  as 
not  to  be  heard,  if  reading  individually. 

Proverbs.  1.  A  fog — cannot  be  dispelled 
with  a  fan.  2.  A  good  tale — is  often  marr'd  in 
tilling.  3.  Diligence— makes  all  things  appear 
easy.  4.  A  good  name — is  better  than  riches.  5. 
A  man  may  even  say  his  prayers  out  of  time.  6. 
A-peZ-les — was  not  a  painter  in  a  day.  7.  A  plas- 
ter is  a  small  amends  for  a  broken  head.  8.  All 
are  not  saints  that  go  to  church.  9.  A  man  may 
live  upon  little,  but  he  cannot  live  upon  nothing 
at  all.  10.  A  rolling  stone  gathers  no  moss.  11. 
Patience — is  a  bitter  seed ;  but  it  yields  sweet 
fruit.    12.  The  longest  life  must  have  an  end. 

There  is  a  pleasure — in  the  pathless  woods, 
There  is  a  rapture — on  the  lonely  shore, 
There  is  society,  where  none  intrudes, 
By  the  deep  Sea,  and  music — in  its  roar : 
I  love  not  Man— the  less,  but  JVature—more, 
From  these  our  interviews,  in  which  I  steal 
From  all  I  may  be,  or  have  been  before, 
To  mingle — with  the  Universe,  and  feel — 
What  I  can  ne'er  express,  yet  cannot  all  conceal. 


Causes  of  Greelc  Perfection.  All  Greek 

Philologists  have  failed  to  account  satisfac- 
torily, for  the  form,  harmony,  power,  and 
superiority  of  that  language.  The  reason 
seems  to  be,  that  they  have  sought  for  a  thing 
where  it  is  not  to  be  found;  they  havelooM'd 
into  books,  to  see — what  was  never  written 
in  books ;  but  which  alone  could  be  heard. 
They  learned  to  read  by  ear,  and  not  by<Zt% 
ters  ;  and,  instead  of  having  manuscripts  be- 
fore them,  they  memorized  their  contents,  and 
made  the  thoughts  their  own,  by  actual  appro- 
priation. When  an  author  wished  to  have 
his  work  published,  he  used  the  living  voice 
of  himself,  or  of  a  public  orator,  for  the  prin- 
ter and  bookseller :  and  the  public  speaker, 
who  was  the  best  qualified  for  the  task,  would 
get  the  most  business  :  the  greater  effect  they 
produced,  the  higher  their  reputation.  The 
human  voice,  being  the  grand  instrument, 
was  developed,  cultivated,  and  tuned  to  the 
highest  perfection.  Beware  of  dead  book 
knowledge,  and  seek  for  living,  moving  na- 
ture :  touch  the  letter — only  to  make  it  alive 
with  the  eternal  soul. 

Anecdote.  /  hold  a  wolf  by  the  ears  : 
which  is  similar  to  the  phrase — catching 
a  Tartar  ;  supposed  to  have  arisen  from  a 
trooper,  meeting  a  Tarter  in  the  woods, 
and  exclaiming,  that  he  had  caught  one :  to 
which  his  companion  replied, — "  Bring  him 
along,  then;" — he  answered,  "I  can't;" 
"  Then  come  yourself ;" — "  He  won't  let 
me."  The  meaning  of  which  is,  to  repre- 
sent a  man  grappling  with  such  difficulties, 
that  he  knows  not  how  to  advance  or  recede. 
"Varieties.  1.  Is  it  not  strange,  that 
such  beautiful  flowers — should  spring  from 
the  dust,  on  which  we  tread  ?  2.  Patient, 
persevering  thought — has  done  more  to  en- 
lighten and  improve  mankind,  than  all  the 
sudden  and  brilliant  efforts  of  genius.  3.  It 
is  astonishing,  how  much  a  little  added  to  a 
little,  will,  in  time,  amount  to.  4.  The  hap- 
piest state  of  man — is — that  of  doing  good, 
for  its  own  sake.  5.  It  is  much  safer,  to 
think — what  we  say,  than  to  say — what  we 
think.  6.  In  affairs  of  the  heart,  the  only 
trafic  is — love  for  love ;  and  the  exchange — 
all  for  all.  7.  There  are  as  many  orders  of 
truth,  as  there  are  of  created  objects  of  order 
in  the  world ;  and  as  many  orders  of  good — 
proper  to  such  truth. 

There  is  a  spell — in  every  flower, 
A  sweetness — in  each  spray, 

And  every  simple  bird — hath  power — 
To  please  me,  with  its  lay. 

And  there  is  music — on  the  breeze, 
Th't  sports  along  the  glade, 

The  crystal  (Zoo-drops — on  the  trees, 
Are  gems — by  fancy  made. 

O,  there  iajoy  and  happiness — 
In  every  thing  I  see, 

Which  bids  my  soul  rise  up,  and  bless 
The  Qod,  th't  blesses  me. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


27 


<*y*J  . 


38.  Oratory — in  all  its  refinement,  and 
necessary  circumstances,  belongs  to  no  par- 
ticular  people,  to  the  exclusion  of  others; 
nor  is  it  the  gift  of  nature  alone ;  but,  like 
other  acquirements,  it  is  the  reward  of  ardu- 
us  efforts,  under  the  guidance  of  consummate 
skill.  Perfection,  in  this  art,  as  well  as  in  all 
others,  is  the  work  of  lime  and  labor,  prompt- 
ed by  true  feeling,  and  guided  by  correct 
thought. 

39.  The  third  sound  of  O  is  short: 
ON  ;  fore-head,  prod-uce  ;  the 
rfoZ-o-rous  coll-ier  trade  on  the 
bronz'd  o6-e-lisk,  and  his  sol- 
ace was  a  com-bat  for  om-lets 
made  of  gor-geous  cor-als  ;  the 
eoZ-a-tile  pro-cess  of  making 
ros -in  glob-ules  of  trop-i-cnl  mon-ades  is  ex- 
Zraor-di-na-ry ;  the  doc-ile  George  for -got 
thejoc-und  copse  in  his  som-bre  prog-ress 
to  the  moss  broth  in  yon-dex  trough  of 
knoivl-edge ;  beyond  the  flor-id  frosts  of 
mom-ing  are  the  sop-o-rif-ic  2>rod-\xcts  of 
the  hol-y-days. 

40.  Dean  Kirwan,  a  celebrated  pulpit  ora- 
tor, was  so  thoroughly  convinced  of  the  im- 
portance of  manner,  as  an  instrument  of  do- 
ing good,  that  he  carefully  studied  all  his 
tones  and  gestures ;  and  his  well  modulated 
and  commanding  voice,  his  striking  attitudes, 
and  his  varied  emphatic  action,  greatly  aided 
his  wing-ed  words,  in  instructing,  melting, 
inflaming,  terrifying  and  overwhelming  his 
auditors. 

4-1.  Irregulars.  A  sometimes  has  this 
sound  :  For  what  was  the  wad-dling  swan 
(/wor-rel-ing  with  the  wasp  itxm-der-ing  and 
u>a&-bling  in  the  swamp  ?  it  was  in  a  quan- 
da-ry  for  the  quan-t\-\.y  of  wars  be-tween 
the  squash  and  wash-tub,  I  war-rant  you. 

IVotes.  I.  The  o  in  nor  is  like  o  in  on  and  or :  and  the  rea- 
son why  it  appears  to  be  different,  is  that  the  letter?-,  when  smooth, 
being  formed  the  lowest  in  the  throat  of  any  of  the  consonants, 
partakes  more  of  the  properties  of  the  vovjel  than  the  rest.  2.  0 
iB  silent  in  the  final  syllables  of  pris-on,  bi-son,  dam-son,  ma-son, 
par-son,  sex-ton,  ar-son,  bla-zon,  glut-ton,  par-don,  but-ton,  rea-son, 
mut-ton,  ba-con,  trea-son,  reck-on,  sea-son,  u-ni-son,  ho-ri-zon,  crim- 
son, les-son,  per-son,  Mil-ton,  John-son,  Thomp-son,  &c. 

Proverbs.    1.  A  man  of  gladness— seldom 
falls    into  madness.     2.  A  new  broom   sweeps 
clean.     3.  A  whetstone — can't  itself  cut,  yet  it 
makes  tools  cut.    4.  Better  go  around,  than  fall 
into  the  ditch.    5.  Religion — is  an  excellent  ar- 
mor, but  a  bad  cloke.    6.  The  early  bird — catches 
the  worm.    7.  Every  one's  faults  are  not  written 
in  their  fore  -heads.    8.  Fire  and  water — are  ex- 
cellent servants,  but  bad  masters.    9.  Fools  and 
obstinate  people,  make  lawyers  rich.    10.  Good 
counsel — has  no  price.     11.  Great  barkers — are 
no  biters.    12.  Regard  the  interests  of  others,  as 
well  as  your  own. 
'Tis  liberty,  alone,  that  gives  the  flower 
Of  fleeting  life  its  lustre,  and  perfume  ; 
And  we  are  weeds  without  it. 
Man's  soul — in  a  perpetual  motion,  flows, 
And  to  no  outward  cause — that  motion  owes. 


Analogies.  Light — is  used  in  all  lan- 
guages,  as  the  representative  of  truth  in  its 
power  of  illustrating  the  understanding. 
Sheep,  la?>ibs,  doves,  &.C.,  are  analogous  to, 
or  represent  certain  principles  and  affections 
of  the  mind,  which  arc  pure  and  innocent; 
and  hence,  we  select  them  as  fit  representa- 
tives of  such  affections  :  while,  on  the  other 
hand,  bears,  ivolves,  serpents,  and  the  like, 
are  thought  to  represent  their  like  affections. 
In  painting  and  sculpture  it  is  the  artist's 
great  aim,  to  represent,  by  sensible  colors, 
and  to  embody  under  material  forms,  cer- 
tain ideas,  or  principles,  which  belong  to  the 
mind,  and  give  form  to  his  conceptions  on 
canvass,  or  on  marble  :  and,  if  his  execu- 
tion be  equal  to  his  conception,  there  will 
be  a  perfect  correspondence,  or  analogy,  be- 
tween his  picture,  or  statue,  and  the  ideas, 
which  he  had  endeavored  therein  to  express. 
The  works  of  the  greatest  masters  in  poe- 
try, and  those  which  will  live  the  longest, 
contain  the  most  of  pure  correspondences  ; 
for  genuine  poetry  is  identical  with  truth; 
and  it  is  the  truth,  in  such  works,  which  is 
their  living  principle,  and  the  source  of  their 
power  over  the  mind. 

Anecdote.  Ready  Wit.  A  boy,  having 
been  praised  for  his  quickness  of  reply,  a 
gentleman  observed, — "  When  children  are 
so  keen  in  their  youth,  they  are  generally 
stupid  when  they  become  advanced  in 
years.'1''  "  What  a  very  sensible  boy  yoic 
must  have  been,  sir," — replied  the  lad. 

Varieties.  1.  Why  is  a  thinking  person 
like  a  mirror  ?  because  he  reflects.  2.  Self- 
sufficiency — is  a  rock,  on  which  thousands 
perish ;  while  diffidence,  with  a  proper  sense 
of  our  strength,  and  worthiness,  generally 
ensures  success.  3.  Industry — is  the  law  of 
our  being ;  it  is  the  demand  of  nature,  of  rea- 
son, and  of  God.  4.  The  generality  of  man- 
kind— spend  the  early  part  of  their  lives  in 
contributing  to  render  the  latter  part  misera- 
ble. 5.  When  we  do  ivrong,  being  convinc- 
ed of  it — is  the  first  step  towards  amend- 
ment. 6.  The  style  of  writing,  adopted  by 
persons  of  equal  education  and  intelligence, 
is  the  criterion  of  correct  language.  7.  To 
go  against  reason  and  its  dictates,  when  pure, 
is  to  go  against  God-  such  reason — is  the  di- 
vine governor  of  man's  life  .•  it  is  the  very 
voice  of  God. 

THE  EVENING  BELLS. 

Those  evening  bells,  those  evening  bells  ! 
How  many  a  tale — their  music  tells 
Of  youth,  and  home,  and  native  clime, 
When  I  last  heard  their  soothing  chime. 
Those  pleasant  hours  have  passed  away, 
And  many  ?  hwart,  that  then  was  gay, 
Within  tht  tomb  —now  darkly  dwells, 
And  heai«  n    luore  those  evening  bells. 
And  so  it  will  be  when  /am  gone; 
That  tuneful  peal— will  still  ring  on, 
When  other  bards— shall  walk  these  dells, 
And  sing  your  pi-aisc,  sweet  evening  bells. 


28 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


42.  Yield  implicit  obedience  to  all  rules 
and  principles,  that  are  founded  in  nature 
and  science,-  because, ease, gracefulness,  and 
efficiency,  always  follow  accuracy ;  but  rules 
may  be  dispensed  with,  when  you  have  be- 
come divested  of  bad  habits,  and  have  per- 
fected yourself  in  this  useful  art.  Do  not, 
however,  destroy  the  scaffold,  until  you  have 
erected  the  building;  and  do  not  raise  the 
super-struct-ure,  till  you  have  dug  deep,  and 
laid  its  foundation  stones  upon  a  rock. 

43.  U  lias  three  regular  sounds :  first, 


\**^L> 


name  sound,  or  long  .-  MUTE ; 
June  re-fuses  as-tute  Ju-ly  the 
juice  due  to  cu-cum-ber;  this  feu- 
dal  con-nois-simr  is  a  szn/-a-ble  I 
co-ad-^M-tor    for    the    cw-ri-ous   ^ 
7/ta/i-tua-ma-ker ;  the  a-gue  and   P iu  mute.] 
/e-ver  is  a  sin-gu-lar  n«i-sance  to  the  a.-cu- 
men  of  the  mu-taMo ;  the  cw-rate  calcu- 
lates to  ed-u-cate  this  lieu-/en-ant  for  the  tri- 
bu-nal  of  the  Duke's ju-di-cat-ure. 

44.  Elocution,  is  reading,  and  speaking, 
with  science,  and  effect.  It  consists  of  two 
parts :  the  Science,  or  its  true  principles,  and 
the  Art,  or  the  method  of  presenting  them. 
Science  is  the  knowledge  of  Art,  and  Art 
is  the  practice  of  Science.  By  science,  or 
knowledge,  we  know  how  to  do  a  thing ;  and 
the  doing-  of  it  is  the  art.  Or,  science  is  the 
parent,  and  art  is  the  offspring  ,■  or,  science 
is  the  seed,  and  art  the  plant. 

45.  Irregulars.  Ew,  has  sometimes  this 
diphthongal  sound,  which  is  made  by  com- 
mencing with  a  conformation  of  organs  much 
fke  that  required  in  short  e,  as  in  ell,  termi- 
nating with  the  sound  of  o,  in  ooze;  see  the 
engraving.  "Re-view  the  deiv-y  Jew  a.-new, 
while  the  cat  mews  for  the  stew.  In  pro- 
nouncing the  single  sounds,  the  mouth  is  in 
one  condition ;  but,  in  giving  the  diphthong, 
or  double  sound,  it  changes  in  conformity  to 
them. 

Koi  es.      1.  U,  when  long,  at  the  beginning  of  a  word,  or 

I)  []  ible,  is  preceded  by  the  consonant  sound  of  y:  i.  e.  it  lias  this 

consonant  and  its  own  vuwd  sound:  as;  u-ni-verse,  (yu-ni-vcrse,) 

■    iMj-ry,  (pen-yu-ry,)  jfal-u-a-ry,  (stat-yu-a-ry,)  ewe,  (yu,)  vol-ume, 

il  . ii.m  ,)  na-ture,  (nat-yure.)  &c:  but  not  in  coZ-umn,  aZ-urn, 

hi  .,  where  the  u  is  short    2.  Never  pronounce  duty, dooty ;  tune, 

/     n  ;  n  n  s,  noos;  blue,  lloo;  slew,  sloo;  dews,  doos;  Jews,  Joos; 

Tnosday;  gratitude,  gratitoode,  &c.     3.  Sound  all  the 

bles  full,  for  a  time,  regardless  of  sense,  and  make  every  let- 

rcr  that  is  not  silent,  tell  truly  and  fully  on  the  ear:  there  is  no 

thai  you  will  not  clip  thern  enough  in  practice. 

-  Anecdote.  A  Dear  Wife.  A  certain  ex- 
travagant speculator,  who  failed  soon  after, 
informed  a  relation  one  evening,  that  he 
had  that  day  purchased  an  elegant  set  of 
jevels  for  his  dear  wife,  which  cost  him 
two  thousand  dollars.  "  She  is  a  dear  wife, 
indeed," — was  the  laconic  reply. 

Knowledge — dwells 
In  lieads,  replete  with  thoughts  of  other  men  ; 
Wisdom,  in  minds  attentive  to  their  own. 


Proverbs.  1.  Fools  —  make  fashions,  and 
other  people  follow  them.  2.  From  nothing, 
nothing  can  come.  3.  Give  but  rope  enough,  and 
he  will  hang  himself.  4.  Punishment — may  be 
tardy,  but  it  is  sure  to  overtake  the  guilty.  5. 
He  that  plants  trees,  loves  others,  besides  him- 
self. 6.  If  a  fool  have  success,  it  always  ruins 
him.  7.  It  is  more  easy  to  threaten,  than  to  do. 
8.  Learning — makes  a  man  fit  company  for  him- 
self, as  well  as  others.  9  Little  strokes  fe.  £~eat 
oaks.  10.  Make  the  best  of  a  bad  bargain.  11. 
The  more  we  hare,  the  more  we  desire.  12.  Gen- 
teel society — is  not  always  good  society. 

The  Innocent  and  Guilty.  If  those, 
only,  who  sow  to  the  wind — reap  the  whirl- 
wind,  it  would  be  well :  but  the  mischief 
is — that  the  blindness  of  bigotry,  the  mad- 
ness of  ambition,  and  the  miscalculation  of 
diplomacy — seek  their  victims,  principally, 
amongst  the  innocent  and  unoffending. 
The  cottage — is  sure  to  suffer,  for  every  er- 
ror of  the  court,  the  cabinet,  or  the  camp. 
When  error — sits  in  the  seat  of  power  and 
authority,  and  is  generated  in  high  places, 
it  may  be  compared  to  that  torrent,  which 
originates  indeed,  in  the  mountain,  but 
commits  its  devastation  in  the  vale  below. 

Eternal  Joy.  The  delight  of  the  soul — 
is  derived  from  love  and  wisdom  from  the 
Lord  ;  and  because  love  is  effective  through 
wisdom,  they  are  both  fixed  in  the  effect, 
which  is  use  :  this  delight  from  the  Lord 
flows  into  the  soul,  and  descends  through 
the  superiors  and  inferiors  of  the  mind — in- 
to all  the  senses  of  the  body,  and  fulfills  it- 
self in  them  ;  and  thence  joy — becomes  joy, 
and  also  eternal — -from  the  Eternal. 

Varieties.  1.  Gaming,  like  quicksand, 
may  swallow  up  a  man  in  a  moment.  2. 
Real  independence — is  living  within  our 
means.  3.  Envy — has  slain  its  thousands  ,■ 
but  neglect,  its  tens  of  thousands.  4.  Is  not 
a  sectarian  spirit — the  devil's  wedge — to  sep- 
arate christians  from  each  other?  5.  That 
man  is  little  to  be  envied,  whose  patriotism — 
would  not  gain  force  on  the  plains  of  Mara- 
thon; or  whose  piety  would  not  grow  rear  lit- 
er among  the  ruins  of  Ionia.  6.  Rational 
evidence — is  stronger  than  any  miracle 
whenever  it  convinces  the  understanding  ,- 
which  miracles  do  not.  7.  Man,  in  his  sal- 
valion,  has  the  power  of  an  omnipotent  Got. 
to  fight  for  him;  but  in  his  damnation,  he 
must  fight  against  it,  as  being  ever  in  the  ef- 
fort to  save  him. 

THE   SEASONS. 

These,  as  they  change,  Almighty  Father!  these 
Are  but  the  varied  God.     The  rolling  year 
Is  full  of  thee.    Forth  in  the  pleasing  spring 
Thy  beauty  walks,  thy  tenderness  and  love. 
Wide  flush  the  fields  ;  the  soft'ning  air  is  balm  ; 
Echo  the  mountains  round  ;  the  forest  smiles, 
And  ev'ry  sense,  and  ev'ry  heart  is  joy. 
Even  from  the  body's  purity— the  mind- 
Receives  a  secret,  sympathetic  aid. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


29 


46.  By  Analysis — sounds,  syllables, 
words,  and  sentences  are  resolved  into  their 
constituent  parts ;  to  each  is  given  its  own 
peculiar  sound,  force,  quality,  and  meaning  ; 
and  thus,  every  shade  of  vocal  coloring,  of 
thought  and  feeling,  may  be  seen  and  felt. 
By  Synthksis, these  parts  are  again  re-uni- 
ted, and  presented  in  all  their  beautiful  and 
harmonious  combinations,  exhibiting  all  the 
varieties  of  perception,  thought,  and  emotion, 
that  can  be  produced  by  the  human  mind. 

47.  Tlie  second  sound  of  V  is  short : 
UP  ;  an  aZ-tra  numb-skull  is  a      ^u^, 
mur-ky  scwZ-iion;   she     wrged    /  ~JjZ~\ 
her    cowr-te-ous    Aws-band     to  I  /^*S\ 
coup-le   himself  to   a  tie-men-  (^^v^t 
dous  tur-i\e  ;  the  coun-lry  ur-   \  \ — 
chin   par-chased    a   bunch   of      [Uinup.] 
mush  and  {»r-nips,  with  an  efful-gent  due- 
ait,  and  burst  with  the  bulk  of  fun,  because 
the  wm-pire  de-m«rr-ed  at  the  SMC-co-tash. 

48.  Lord  Mansfield,  when  quite  young, 
used  to  recite  the  orations  of  Demosthenes, 
on  his  native  mountains  ;  he  also  practised 
before  Mr.  Pope,  the  poet,  for  the  benefit  of 
his  criticisms  ;  and  the  consequence  was,  his 
melodious  voice  and  graceful  diction,  made 
as  deep  an  impression,  as  the  beauties  of  his 
style  and  the  excellence  of  his  matter; 
which  obtained  for  him  the  appellation  of 
"  the  siloer-toned  Murray.'1'' 

49.  Irregulars.    A,   E,  I,  O,  and   Y, 

occasionally  have  this  sound :  the  teo-man's 
/jus-band's  clerk  whirled  his  com-rade  into  a 
bloody  flood  for  mirth  and  mon-ey ;  sir 
squir-rel  does  nolh-mg  but  shove  on-ions  up 
the  coZ-lan-der  ;  the  sov-reign  monk  has  just 
come  to  the  eoZ-ored  wo7t-key,  quoth  my 
won-dering  mother ;  this  sur-gcon  bumbs 
the  /tor-ror-stricken  5«Z-lam-ites,  and  cov- 
ets the  eo/H-pa-ny  of  wtar-tyrs  and  roo-bers, 
to  plun-dex  some  tons  of  cows-ins  ol  their 
gloves,  co77i-fort,  and  hon-ey ;  the  bird  en- 
vel-ops  some  worms  and  po/ne-gran-ales 
in  its  stom-ach,  a-bove  the  myr-tle,  in  front 
of  the  tav-em,  thus,  tres-pass-ing  on  the 
cou-er-ed  ui-ands  ;  the  wan-ton  sex-ton  en- 
cwre-pass-es  the  earth  with  gi-ant  whirl- 
winds, and  plun-ges  its  sons  into  the  bot- 
tom-less o-cean  with  his  sAou-el. 

Notes.  1.  E  and  U,  final,  are  silmt  in  such  words  as, 
bogue,  vague,  eclogue,  synagogue,  plague,  catalogue,  rogue,  dema. 
pn^iie,  &c.  2.  Do  justice  to  every  letter  and  word,  and  as  soon 
tl.ii.k  of  stepping  backward  and  forward  in  walking,  as  to  repro- 
nounce  your  words  in  reading:  nor  should  you  call  the  words  in- 
correctly, any  sooner  than  you  would  put  on  your  shoes  for  your 
hat,  or  your  bonnet  for  your  shawl.  3,  When  e  or  t  precedes  orie 
r,  in  the  same  syllable,  it  generally  has  this  sound  :  herth,  mirth, 
heard,  vir-gin,  kc.,steN.  p.  18.  4.  Sometimesr  is  double  insound, 
though  written  single. 

Could  we— with  ink — the  ocean  fill, 

Were  earth — of  parchment  made  ; 
Were  every  single  stick— a  quill, 

Each  man — a  scribe  by  trade  ; 
To  write  the  tricks — of  half  the  sex, 

Would  drink  the  ocean  dry  : — 
Gallants,  beware,  look  sharp,  take  care, 

The  blind — eat  many  a  fly. 


Proverbs.  1.  Like  the  dog  in  the  manger; 
he  will  neither  do,  nor  let  do.  2.  Many  a  slip  be- 
tween the  cup  and  lip.  3.  No  great  loss,  but 
there  is  some  small  gain.  4.  Nothing  venture, 
nothing  have.  5.  One  half  the  world  knows  not 
how  the  other  half  lives.  G.  One  story  is  good 
till  another  is  told.  7.  Pride — goes  bifore,  and 
shame — follows  after.  8.  Saying  and  doing,  are 
two  things.  9.  Some — are  wise,  and  some — are 
otherwise.  10.  That  is  but  an  empty  purse,  that 
is  full  of  other  folk's  money.  11.  Common  .fame- 
is  generally  considered  a  liar.  12.  No  weapon, 
but  truth  ;  no  law,  but  love. 

Anectlote.  Lawyer's  Mistake.  When  the 
regulations  of  West  Boston  bridge  were  drawn 
up,  by  two  famous  lawyers, — one  section,  it 
is  said,  was  written,  accepted,  and  now  stands 
thus:  "And  the  said  proprietors  shall  meet 
annually,  on  the  first  Tues-day  of  June ; 
provided,  the  same  does  not  fall  on  Sunday." 

Habits.  If  parents — only  exercised  the 
same  forethought,  and  judgment,  about  the 
education  of  their  children,  as  they  do  ia 
reference  to  their  shoemaker,  carpenter ;  join- 
er, or  even  gardener,  it  would  be  much  bet- 
ter for  these  precious  ones.  In  all  cases, 
what  is  learned,  should  be  learned  well  :  to 
do  which,  good  teachers — should  be  preferred 
to  cheap  ones.  Bad  habits,  once  learned, 
are  not  easily  corrected  :  it  is  better  to  learn 
one  thing  well,  and  thoroughly,  than  many 
things  wrong,  or  imperfectly. 

Varieties.  1.  Is  pride — an  indication  of 
talent?  2.  A  handsome  woman — pleases 
the  eye ;  but  a  good  woman  the  heart :  the 
forma — is  a  jewel;  the  loiter — a  living  trea- 
sure. 3.  An  ass — is  the  gravest  beast;  an 
owl — the  gravest  bird.  4.  What  a  pity  it  is, 
when  we  are  speaking  of  one  who  is  beauti- 
ful and  gifted,  that  we  cannot  add,  that  ho 
or  she  is  good,  happy,  and  innocent!  5. 
Don't  rely  too  much  on  the  torches  of  others  ; 
light  one  of  your  own.  6.  Ignorance — is 
like  a  blank  sheet  of  paper,  on  which  we  may 
write  ;  but  error — is  like  a  scribbled  one.  7. 
All  that  the  natural  sun  is  to  the  natural 
world,  that — is  the  Lord — to  his  spiritual 
creation  and  world,  in  which  are  our  minds — 
and  hence,  he  enlightens  every  man,  that 
cometh  into  the  world. 

Our  birth— is  but  a  sleep,  and  a  forgetting; 

The  soul,  th't  rises  with  us,  our  life's  star, 

Hath  had  elsewhere — its  setting, 

And  cometh  from  afar; 

Not  in  entire  forget  fulness, 

And  not  in  utter  nakedness, 

But  trailing  clouds  of  glory — do  we  come 

From  Ood,  who  is  our  home. 

And  'tis  remarkable,  that  they 

Talk  most,  that  have  the  least  to  say. 

Pity — is  the  virtue  of  the  law,- 

And  none  but  tyrants — use  it  cruelly. 

'Tis  the  first  sanction,  nature  gave  to  man, 

Each  other  to  assist,  in  what  they  can. 
c2 


30 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


\^J*J 


50.  It  is  not  the  quantity  read,  but  the 
manner  of  reading,  and  the  acquisition  of 
correct  and  efficient  rules,  with  the  ability 
to  apply  them,  accurately,  gracefully,  and 
involuntarily,  that  indicate  progress  in  these 
arts  :  therefore,  take  one  principle,  or  com- 
bination of  principles,  at  a  time,  and  prac- 
tice it  till  the  object  is  accomplished  :  in  this 
way,  you  may  obtain  a  perfect  mastery  over 
your  vocal  powers,  and  all  the  elements  of 
language. 

51.  Tne  third  sound  ofU  is  full: 
FLTLL  ;  cru-cl  Bru-tus  rued  the 
crude  fruit  bruised  for  the  pud- 
ding ;  theprK-dent  ru-\er  wound- 
ed this  youth-fal  cuck-oo,  be- 
cause he  would,  could,  or  should 
not  im-brue  his  hands  in  Ruth's 
gru-el,  pre-par'd  for  a  faith-ful  ru  in  full.] 
dru-id ;  the  b7itch-er's  bul-let  push-ed  poor 
puss  on  the  sin-ful  cush-ion,  and  grace- 
ful-ly  put  this  tru-ant  Prussian  into  the 
paZ-pit  for  cru-ci-Jiz-ion. 

52.  Avoid  rapidity  and  indistinctness 
of  utterance ;  also,  a  drawling,  mincing, 
harsh,  mouthing,  artificial,  rumbling,  mo- 
notonous, whining,  stately,  pompous,  un- 
varied, wavering,  sleepy,  boisterous,  labor- 
ed, formal,  faltering,  trembling,  heavy, 
theatrical,  affected,  and  self-complacent 
manner ;  and  read,  speak,  sing,  in  such  a 
clear,  strong,  melodious,  flexible,  winning, 
bold,  sonorous,  forcible,  round,  full,  open, 
brilliant,  natural,  agreeable,  or  mellow  tone, 
as  the  sentiment  requires  ;  which  contains 
in  itself  so  sweet  a  charm,  that  it  almost 
atones  for  the  absence  of  argument,  sense, 
and  fancy. 

53.  Irregulars*  Ew,  0,  and  Oo,  occa- 
sionally have  this  sound:  the  shrewd  wo- 
man es-chewed  the  wolf,  which  stood  pul- 
ling  Ruth's  woZ-sey,  and  shook  TVw-man 
IVor-ces-ter's  crook,  while  the  brevj-er  and 
his  bul-\v  crew  huz-za'd  for  all ;  you  say  it 
is  your  truth,  and  /  say  it  is  my  truth  ;  you 
may  take  care  of  your-setf,  and  /  will  take 
care  of  myself. 

Notes.  1.  Beware  of  omtfrmg"  vowels  occurring  between 
consonants  in  unaccented  syllables  :  as  hist'ry,  for  his-tu-ry;  lit'ral 
for  lit-wal;  vot'ry,  (oTvo-ta-ry  ;  past'ral,  iov pas-to-ral ;  numb'ring, 
for  num-lcr-in% ;  corp'ral,  for  cor^po-ral ;  gen*ral,  for  p :n-c-rnl ; 
mem'ry,  for  mem-o-ry,  &.C.  Do  not  pronounce  this  sound  of  u 
like  oo  in  hoim,  nor  like  u  in  mute  ;  but  like  u  in  full:  as,  chew, 
not  choo,  &c.  2.  The  design  of  the  practice  on  the  forty-four  sounds 
rs,  each  in  its  turn,  is,  besides  developing  and  training 
the  voice  and  ear  for  all  their  duties,  ti>  exhibit  the  Lr 
and  analogies  of  prominent.  va  large  number  of 

|     mounced,  which  are  often  spoken  incorrectly. 

Anecdote.    Stupidity.    Said  a  testy  law~ 
'  yer, — "I  believe  thejury  have  been  inocula- 
ted for  stupidity."    "That  may  be,"  replied 

his  opponent,-  "but  the  bar,  and  the  court, 

are  of  opinion,  that  you  had  it  the  natural 

way." 

O  there  are  hours,  aye  moments,  that  contain 

Feelings,  that  years  may  pass,  and  never  tiring. 

The  soul's  dark  cottage,  batter'd,  and  ilecay,d. 
Still  lets  in  light,\hro'  chinks,  that  time  has  made. 


Proverbs.  I.  Away  goes  the  devil,  when  the 
door  is  shut  against  him.  2.  A  liar  is  not  to  be 
believed  when  he  speaks  the  truth.  3.  Never 
speak  ill  of  jour  neighbors.  4.  Constant  occu- 
pation, prevents  temptation.  5.  Courage — ought 
to  have  eyes,  as  well  as  ears.  6.  Experience — 
keeps  a  dear  school;  but  fools  will  learn  in  no 
other.  7.  Follow  the  wise  few,  rather  than  the 
foolish  many.  8.  Good  actions  are  the  best  sacri- 
fice. 9.  He  who  avoids  the  temptation,  avoids 
the  sin.  10.  Knowledge — directs  practice,  yet 
practice  increases  knowledge. 

Duties.  Never  cease  to  avail  yourself  of 
information :  you  must  observe  closely — 
read  attentively,  and  digest  what  you  read, — 
converse  extensively  with  high  and  loio,  rich 
and  poor,  noble  and  ignoble,  bond  and  free, — 
meditate  closely  and  intensely  on  all  the 
knowledge  you  acquire,  and  have  it  at  per- 
fect command.  Obtain  just  conceptions  of 
all  you  titter — and  communicate  every  thing 
in  its  proper  order,  and  clothe  it  in  the  most 
acrreeable  and  effective  language.  Avoid  all 
redundancy  of  expression;  be  neither  too 
close,  nor  too  diffuse, — and,  especially,  be  as 
perfect  as  possible,  in  that  branch  of  oratory, 
which  Demosthenes  declared  to  be  the  first, 
second,  and  third  parts  of  the  science, — ac- 
tion,—  god-like  action, — which  relates  to 
every  thing  seen  and  heard  in  the  orator. 
Elocution, — enables  you,  at  all  times,  to 
command  attention  :  its  effect  will  be  electric, 
and  strike  from  heart  to  heart ;  and  he  must 
be  a  mere  declaimer,  who  does  not  feel  him- 
self inspired — by  the  fostering  meed  of  such 
approbation  as  mute  attention, — and  the  re- 
turn of  his  sentiments,  fraught  with  the  sym- 
pathy of  his  audience. 

Varieties.  I.  Have  steamboats — been 
the  occasion  of  more  evil,  than  good?  2. 
Those  that  are  idle,  are  generally  troublesome 
to  such  as  are  industrious.  3.  Plato  says — 
God  is  truth,  and  light — is  his  shadow.  4, 
M//-information — is  more  hopeless  than  non- 
Lnformation;  for  error — is  always  more  diffi- 
cult to  overcome  than  ignorance.  5.  He, 
that  ivill  not  reason,  is  a  bigot ;  he,  that  can- 
not reason,  is  afoot ;  and  he,  who  dares  not 
reason,  is  a  slave.  6.  There  is  a  great  differ- 
ence between  a  wellrspoken  man  and  an  ora- 
tor. 7.  The  Word  of  God — is  divine,  and, 
in  its  principles,  infinite :  no  part  can  really 
contradict  another  part,  or  have  a  meaning 
opposite — to  what  it  asserts  as  f  rue  ,■  although 
it  may  appear  so  in  the  letter:  for  the  letter — 
.■  but  the  spirit — giveth  life. 
They  are  sleeping!     Il'ho  are  sleeping  ? 

J'atise  a  moment,  softly  tread; 
Anxious  friends — are  fondly  keeping 

Vigils — by  the  sleeper's  bed ! 
Other  hopes  have  all  forsaken, — 

One  remains, — that  slumber  deep ; 
Speak  not,  lest  the  slumberer  waken 

From  that  sweet,  that  saving  sleep. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


31 


54.  A  Diphthong,  or  double  sound,  is  the 
union  of  two  vowel  sounds  in  one  syllable, 
pronounced  by  a  single  continuous  effort  of 
the  voice.  There  are  four  diphthongal 
sounds,  in  our  language  ;  long  i  as  in  isle  ; 
oi,  in  oil  ;  the  pure,  or  long  sound  of  u  in 
lure,  and  ou  in  our  ;  which  include  the  same 
sounds  under  the  forms  of  long  y  in  rhyme; 
of  oy  in  coy;  of  ew  in  pew;  and  ow  in  how. 
These  diphthongs  are  called  pure,  because 
they  are  all  heard  ;  and  in  speaking  and 
tinging,  only  the  radical,  (or  opening  full- 
ness of  the  sound,)  should  be  prolonged,  or 
iung. 

55.  Diphthongs.     Oi  and   Oy  :   OIL; 

broil  the  joint  of  loin  in  poison    ^  \    i^ 
and  o(«i-ment ;  spoil  not  the  oys-    v**Ti       , 
ters   for   the  hoy-den ;    the    boy  /  //S2\  \ 
pitch-es  quoits  a-droit-ly  on  the   "<~~/f  I 
soil,  -and  sub-joins  the  joists  to  ^  \^qJ 
the  pur- loins,  and  em-ploys  the  roiinOii.] 
de-stroy'd  toi-let  to  soil  the  res- 
er-voir,  lest  he  be  cloy'd  with  his  me-moirs. 

56.  The  late  Mr.  Pitt,  (Lord  Chatham.) 
was  taught  to  declaim,  when  a  mere  boy  ; 
and  was,  even  then,  much  admired  for  his 
talent  in  recitation:  the  result  of  which 
was,  that  his  ease,  grace,  power,  self-pos- 
session,  and  imposing  dignity,  on  his  first 
appearance  in  the  British  Parliament,  "drew 
audience  and  attention,  still  as  night  ;''  and 
the  irresistible  force  of  his  action,  and  the 
power  of  his  eye,  carrried  conviction  with 
his  arguments. 

Notes.  1.  The  radical,  or  root  of  this  diphthong,  com- 
mences nearly  with  3i  a,  as  in  all,  and  its  vanish,  or  terminating 
point,  with  the  ?iamc  sound  of  e,  as  in  eel;  the  first  of  which  is  in- 
dicated by  the  engraving  above.  2.  Avoid  the  vulgar  pronuncia- 
tion of  He,  for  oil ;  jice,  for  joist-;  pint,  for  point ;  bile,  for  boil ; 
jint,  for  joint ;  hist,  for  hoist ;  spile,  for  spoil ;  quate,  for  quoit ; 
pur -line,  for  pur-loin  ;  pi-zen,  for  pat-son;  brilc,  for  broil;  Clyde, 
for  cloyed,  &c:  this  sound,  especially,  when  given  with  the  jaw 
much  dropped,  and  roundel  lips,  has  in  it  a  captivating  nobleness; 
but  beware  of  extremes.  3.  The  general  rule  for  pronouncing  the 
vowels  is — they  are  open,  continuous,  or  long,  when  final  in  ac- 
cented words  and  syllables;  as  a-ble,  /a-lher,  ato-ful,  me-tre,  ot-ble, 
rto-ble,  moo-ted,  (u-mult,  ir-it-tal,  pot-son,  ow-ter-most ;  but  they 
are  shut,  discrete,  or  short,  when  followed  in  the  same  syllable  by 
&  consonant ;  as,  ap-ple,  seu-er,  Zt'MIe,  poMer,  but-ton,  s-t/m-pa-thy. 
Examples  of  exceptions — a!e,  are,  all,  file,  note,  tune,  &c.  4.  An- 
other genera]  rule  is — a  vowel  followed  by  two  consonants,  that 
are  repeated  in  the  pronunciation,  is  short :  as,  niat-ter,  ped-lar, 
Bf-ter,  but-ler,  &c. 

Anecdote.  The  king's  evil.  A  student 
of  medicine,  while  attending  medical  lec- 
tures in  London,  and  the  subject  of  this  evil 
being  on  hand,  observed — "  that  the  king's 
evil  had  been  but  little  known  in  the  Unit- 
ed States,  since  the  Revolution. 

They  are  sleeping !     Who  are  sleeping  ■? 

Misers,  by  their  hoarded  gold  ; 
And,  in  fancy — now  are  heaping 

Gems  and  pearls — of  price  untold. 
Golden  chains — their  limbs  encumber, 

Diamonds — seem  before  them  strown  ; 
But  they  waken  from  their  slumber, 

And  the  splendid  dream — is  flown. 

Compare  each  phrase,  examine  every  line. 
Weigh  every  word,  and  every  thought  refine. 


Proverbs.  1.  Home  is  home,  if  it  be  ever  so 
homely.  2.  It  is  too  late  to  complain  when  a  thing 
is  done.  3.  In  a  thousand  pounds  of  law,  there  is 
not  an  ounce  of  love.  4.  Many  a  true  word  is 
spoken  in  jest.  5.  One  man's  meat  is  another 
man's  poison.  6.  Pride,  perceiving  humility — 
honorable,  often  borrows  her  cloke.  7.  Say- 
well— is  good  ;  but  do-well — is  better.  8.  The 
eye,  that  sees  all  things,  sees  not  itself.  9.  The 
crow — thinks  her  own  birds  the  whitest.  10.  The 
tears  of  the  congregation  are  the  praises  of  the 
minister.  11.  Evil  to  him  that  evil  thinks.  12. 
Do  good,  if  you  expect  to  receive  good. 

Our  Food.  The  laws  of  man's  constitu- 
tion and  relation  evidently  show  us,  that  the 
plainer,  simpler  and  more  natural  our  food 
is,  the  more  pefectly  these  laws  will  be  ful- 
filled, and  the  more  healthy,  vigorous,  and 
long-lived  our  bodies  will  be,  and  consequent- 
ly the  more  perfect  our  senses  will  be,  and 
the  more  active  and  powerful  may  the  intel- 
lectual and  moral  faculties  be  rendered  by 
cultivation.  By  this,  is  not  meant  that  we 
should  eat  grass,  like  the  ox,  or  confine  our- 
selves to  any  one  article  of  food :  by  simple 
food,  is  meant  that  which  is  not  compounded, 
and  complicated,  and  dressed  with  pungent 
stimulants,  seasoning,  or  condiments;  such 
kind  of  food  as  the  Creator  designed  for  us, 
and  in  such  condition  as  is  best  adapted  to 
our  anatomical  and  physiological  powers. 
Some  kinds  of  food  are  better  than  others, 
and  adapted  to  sustain  us  in  every  condition ; 
and  such,  whatever  they  may  be,  (and  we 
should  ascertain  what  they  are,)  should  con- 
stitute our  sustenance  ■■  thus  shall  we  the 
more  perfectly  fulfil  the  laws  of  our  being, 
and  secure  our  best  interests. 

Varieties.  1.  Was  Eve,  literally,  made 
out  of  Adam's  rib?  2.  He — is  doubly  a 
conqueror,  who,  when  a  conqueror,  can  con- 
quer himself.  3.  People  may  be  borne  down 
by  oppression  for  a  time ;  but,  in  the  end, 
vengeance  will  surely  overtake  their  oppres- 
sors. 4.  It  is  a  great  misfortune — not  to  be 
able  to  speak  well  ;  and  a  still  greater  one, 
not  to  know  when  to  be  silent.  5.  In  the 
hours  of  study,  acquire  knowledge  that  will 
be  useful  in  after  life.  6.  Nature — reflects 
the  light  of  revelation,  as  the  moon  does 
that  of  the  sun.  7.  Religion — is  to  be  as 
much  like  God,  as  men  can  be  like  him  : 
hence,  there  is  nothing  more  contrary  to 
religion,  than  angry  disputes  and  conten 
tions  about  it. 
The  pilgrim  fathers— where  are  they  1 

The  waves,  that  brought  them  o'er, 
Still  roll  in  the  bay,  and  throw  their  spray, 

As  they  break  along  the  shore  : — 
Still  roll  in  the  bay,  as  they  roll'd  that  day, 

When  the  May  Flower  moor'd  below  ; 
When  the  sea  around,  was  black  with  storms, 

And  white  the  shore — witli  snow. 

By  reason,  man — a  Godhead  can  discern: 
But  how  he  should  be  worship'd,  cannot  learn. 


32 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


5  7.  There  are  no  impure  diphthongs  or 
triphthongs,  in  which  two  or  three  vowels 
represent,  or  unite,  in  one  sound  ;  for  all  are 
silent  except  one  ;  as  in  air,  aun\,  awl,  plaid, 
steal,  lead,  curtain,  soar,  good,  your,  cowgh, 
feu-dal,  dun-geon,  beau-ty,  a-dieu,  view-ing. 
These  silent  letters,  in  connection  with  the 
vocals,  should  be  called  di-graphs  and  tri- 
graphs  ;  that  is,  doubly  and  triply  written  : 
they  sometimes  merely  indicate  the  sound 
of  the  accompanying  vowel,  and  the  deriva- 
tion of  the  word.  Let  me  beware  o(  believ- 
ing anything,  unless  I  can  see  that  it  is  true: 
and  for  the  evidence  of  truth,  I  will  look  at 
the  truth  itself. 

58.  Diphthongs;  Ou,  and  Ow  :  OUR; 
Mr.  Brown  wound  an  ounce  of  I 
sound  a-round  a  cloud,  and 
drowned  a  mouse  in  a  pound  of  / 
sour  chow-der;  a  drow-sy' 
mouse  de-vour'd  a  house  and\ 
howl'd  a  pom-wow  a-bout  the  [0U 
moMM-tains ;  the  gou-ly  owl 
crouched  in  his  tow-er,  and  the  scowl-ing 
cow  bowed  down  de-vout-\y  in  her  6oio-er  ; 
the  giour  (jower)  en-s/tnraa'-ed  in  poto-er, 
en-dow-ed  the  count's  prow-ess  with  a  re- 
nowii'd  trow-e\,  and  found  him  with  a  stout 
gown  in  the  coun-Xy  town. 

59.  Demosthenes,  the  Grecian  orator, 
paid  many  thousands  to  a  teacher  in  Elocu- 
tion ;  and  Cicero,  the  Roman  orator,  after 
having  completed  his  education,  in  other 
respects,  spent  two  whole  years  in  recitation, 
under  one  of  the  most  celebrated  tragedi- 
ans of  antiquity.  Brutus  declared,  that  he 
would  prefer  the  honor,  of  being  esteemed 
the  master  of  Roman  eloquence,  to  the  glo- 
ry of  many  triumphs. 

60.  Notes.  1.  Ou  and  ow  are  the  only  representatives 
of  this  dipththongol  sound ;  the  former  generally  in  the  middle 
of  words,  and  the  latter  at  the  end  :  in  How,  show,  and  low,  w 
is  silent.  2.  There  are  12  mono-thongal  vowels,  or  single  voice 
sounds,  and  4  di/j/i-thongal  vowels,  or  double  voice  sounds  :  these 
ire  heard  in  tile,  tune,  oil  and  out.  5.  There  is  a  very  incorrect 
and  offensive  sound  given  by  some  to  this  diphthong,  particularly 
in  the  Nortliern  states,  in  consequence  of  drawing  the  corners  of 
the  mouth  back,  and  keepingthe  teeth  too  close,  while  pronouncing 
it;  it  may  be  called  a  flat,  nasal  sound:  in  song  it  is  worse 
than  in  speech.  It  may  be  represented  as  follows — keou,  ncou, 
geoun,  peour,  damn,  kcounty,  shewoer,  Sfc.  Good  natured, 
laughing  people,  living  in  colddt'mato,  where  they  wish  to  keep 
the  mouth  nearly  closed,  when  talking,  are  often  guilty  of  this  vul- 
garity. It  may  be  avoided  by  opening  the  mouth  wide,  projecting 
the  under  jaw  and  making  the  sound  deep  in  the  throat. 

Anecdote.  Woman  as  she  should  be.  A 
young  woman  went  into  a  public  library,  in 
a  certain  town,  and  asked  for  "Man  as  he  is." 
"That  is  oaf,  Miss,"  said  the  librarian ;  "  but 
we  have  'Woman  as  she  should  beS"  She 
took  the  book  and  the  hint  too. 
Where  are  the  heroes  of  the  ages  past  :  [ones 
Where  the  hrave  chieftains — where  the  mighty 
Who  flourish'd  in  the  infancy  of  days  1 

llltn  the  grave  gone  down! — On  their  fall's  fame, 
Exultant,  mocking  at  the  pride  of  man, 
Sits  grim  Forgetfulness.     The  warrior's  arm 

jefl  nerveless  on  the  pillow  of  its  shame  : 
JJusWd  iu  his  stormy  voice,  and  quenched  the  blaze 
■Of  his  red  eye-ball. 


Proverbs.  1.  As  you  make  your  bed,  so  must 
you  lie  in  it.  2.  Be  the  character  you  would  be 
called.  3.  Choose  a  calling,  th't  is  adapted  to  yout 
inclination,  and  natural  abilities.  4.  Live — and 
let  live  ;  i.  e.  do  as  you  would  be  done  by.  5. 
Character — is  the  measure  of  the  man.  6.  Zeal- 
ously keep  down  little  expenses,  and  you  will 
not  be  likely  to  incur  large  ones.  7.  Every  one 
knows  how  to  find  fault.  8.  Fair  words  and 
foul  play  cheat  both  young  and  old.  9.  Give  a 
dog  an  ill  name,  and  he  will  soon  be  shot.  10.  He 
knows  best  what  is  good,  who  has  endured  evil. 
11.  Great  pains  and  little  gains,  soon  make  man 
weary.    12.  The  fairest  rose  will  wither  at  last. 

Cause  and  Effect.  The  evils,  which 
afflict  the  country,  are  the  joint  productions 
of  all  parties  and  all  classes.  They  have 
been  produced  by  over-banking,  over-trad- 
ing, over -spending,  over-dashing,  over-dri- 
ving, over -reaching,  over -borrowing,  over- 
eating, over-drinking,  over -thinking,  over- 
playing,  over-riding,  and  over-acting  of 
every  kind  and  description,  except  over- 
workiug.  Industry  is  the  foundation  of  so- 
ciety, and  the  coraer-stone  of  civilization. 

Recipients.  We  receive  according  to  our 
states  of  mind  and  life :  if  we  are  in  the  love 
and  practice  of  goodness  and  truth,  we  be- 
come the  receivers  of  them  in  that  propor- 
tion ;  but  if  otherwise,  we  form  receptacles 
of  their  opposites,— -falsity  and  evil.  When 
we  are  under  heavenly  influences,  we  know 
that  all  thing-s  shall  work  together  for  our 
happiness ;  and  when  under  infernal  influ- 
ences, they  will  work  tog-ether  for  our  mis- 
ery. Let  us  then  choose,  this  day,  whom  we 
will  serve  ;  and  then  shall  we  know — tohere- 
in  consists  the  art  of  happiness,  and  the  art 
of  misery. 

Varieties.  1.  Is  not  the  single  fact,  that 
the  human  mind  has  thought  of  another 
world,  good  proof  that  there  is  one  ?  2.  'Tol- 
eration— is  good  for  all,  or  it  is  good  for 
none.  3.  He  who  swallows  up  the  sub- 
stance of  the  poor,  will,  in  the  end,  find  that 
it  contains  a  bone,  which  will  choke  him.  i. 
The  greatest  share  of  happiness  is  enjoyed 
by  those,  who  possess  affluence,  without  su- 
perfluity, and  can  command  the  comforts  of 
life,  without  plunging  into  its  luxuries.  5.  Do 
not  suppose  that  every  thing  is  gold,  which 
glitters;  build  not  your  hopes  on  a  sandy 
foundation.  6.  The  world  seems  divided 
into  two  great  classes,  agi/at ors -and  the  n<m- 
agitators :  why  should  those,  who  are  estab- 
lished on  the  immutable  rock  of  truth,  fear 
agitation?  7.  True  humiliation — is  a  pearl 
of  great  price  ;  for  where  there  is  no  resist- 
ance, or  obstacle,  /here, — heaven,  and  its  in- 
fluences  must  enter,  enlighten,  teach,  purify, 
create  and  support- 

The  only  prison,  th't  enslaves  the  soul, 
Is  the  dark  habitation,  where  she  dwells, 
As  in  a  noisome  dungeon. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


33 


59.  Reading — by  vowel  sounds  only,  is 
analagous  to  singing  by  note,  instead  of  by 
word.  This  is  an  exceedingly  interesting 
and  important  cxerci.se :  it  is  done,  simply, 
by  omitting  the  consonants,  and  pronounc- 
ing the  vowels,  the  same  as  in  their  respec- 
tive words.  First,  pronounce  one  or  more 
words,  and  then  ?-e-pronounce  them,  and 
leave  off  the  consonants.  The  vowels  con- 
stitute the  ESSENCE  of  words,  and  the  conso- 
nants give  that  material  the  proper  form. 

GO  All  the  vowel  sounds,  thrice  told, — 
James  Parr;  Hall  Mann;  EvePrest;  Ike  Sill; 
Old  Pool  Forbs;  Luke  Munn  Bull;  Hoyle 
Prout — ate  palms  walnuts  apples,  peaches 
melons,  ripe  figs,  cocoas  goosberries  hops, 
cucumbers  prunes,  and  boiled  sour-crout,  to 
their  entire  satisfaction.  Ale,  ah,  all,  at ; 
eel,  ell;  isle,  ill;  old,  ooze,  on;  mute, 
up,  full;  oil,  ounce.  Now  repeat  all  these 
vowel  sounds  consecutively, :  A,  A,  A,  A ; 
E,  E;  I,  I;  0,  0,  0;  U,U,U;  Oi.  Ou. 

61.  Elocution — comprehends  Expulsion  of 
^ound,  Articulation,  Force,  Time,  Pronunci- 
ation, Accent,  Pauses,  Measure  and  Melody 
>f  Speech,  Rhythm,  Emphasis,  the  Eight 
Notes,  Intonation,  Pitch,  Inflexions,  Circum- 
dexes,  Cadences,  Dynamics,  Modulation, 
Style,  the  Passions,  and  Rhetorical  Action. 
Reading  and  Speaking  are  inseparably  con- 
nected with  music  ;  hence,  every  step  taken 
\n  the  former,  according  to  this  system,  will 
idvance  one  equally  in  the  latter  ;  for  Music 
is  but  an  elegant  and  refined  sjxcics  of  Elo- 
cution. 

62.  Certain  vowels  to  be  pronounced 
^sparatelt.  In  reading  the  following,  be 
very  deliberate,  so  as  to  shape  the  sounds  per- 
fectly, and  give  each  syllable  clearly  and  dis- 
tinctly ;  and  in  all  the  ex-a/?(-ples,  here  and 
elsewhere,  make  those  sounds,  that  are  ob- 
jects of  attention,  very  prominent.  Ba-al, 
the  o-ri-ent  c-e-ro-nant  and  cham-p\-on  of  fi- 
e.r-y  scw-pi-ons,  took  his  a-e-ri-al  flight  into 
the  ze-o-met-ri-c^l  em-py-re-an,  and  drop- 
ped a  beau-H-tal  n'-o-let  into  the  Ap-pi-i  Fo- 
rum, where  they  sung  hy-me-?ie-al  re-qul- 
ems  ;  Be-e/-ze-bub  w'-o-lent-ly  rent  the  va-xi- 
p-sa-ted  r/t-a-dem  from  his  zo-o-/o,g--i-cal  cra- 
m-van, and  placed  it  on  the  Eu-ro-pe-an  ge- 
ni-i,  to  /7?i?-li-o-rate  their  i«-cho-ate  i-de-a  of 
'•(-ring  the  jD(7-e-ous  i?i-val-ids  of  Mz?2-tu-a 
and  Pow-pe-i,with  the  tri-en-ni-al  pan-a-ee-a 
of  no-ol-o-zy,  or  the  /i?i-e-a-ment  of  a-ri-es. 

^  oteS.  1.  The  constituent  diphthongal  soundsof /are  near, 
iv  3 .1  i.  and  lstc ;  those  of  «.  approach  to  2d  e,  and  2d  o :  those  of 
<*',  to  3  J  n,  and  2J  i :  and  those  of  ou  to  3d  o,  and  21  o :  make  and 
analyze  then; ,  and  observe  the  funnel  shape  of  the  lips,  which 
change  with  the  changing  sounds  in  passing  from  the  radicals  to 
their  \inishes.  2.  Preventives  and  curatives  of  incipient  disease, 
may  be  found  in  these  principles,  positions  and  exercises. 

Loveliness — 
Needs  not  the  aid  of  foreign  ornament  ; 
But  is,  when  u«adorned,  adorned  the  most. 
5 


Proverbs.  I.  A  man  is  no  better  for  liking 
himself,  if  nobody  else  likes  him.  2.  A  white 
glove  often  conceals  a  dirty  hand.  3.  Better  pass 
at  once,  than  to  be  always  in  danger.  4.  .Misun- 
derstandings— are  often  best  prevented,  by  pen 
and  ink.  5.  Knowledge  is  treasure,  and  memory 
is  the  treasury.  6.  Crosses— are  ladders,  lead- 
ing to  heaven.  1.  Faint  praise,  is  disparagement. 
8.  Deliver  me  from  a  person,  who  can  talk  only 
on  one  subject.  9.  He  who  peeps  throgh  a  key- 
hole may  see  what  will  vex  him.  10.  If  shrewd 
men  play  the  fool,  they  do  it  with  a  vengeance. 
11.  Physicians  rarely  take  medicines.  12. Curses, 
like  chickens,  generally  come  home  to  roost. 

Anecdote.  A  get-off.  Henry  the  Fourth 
was  instigated  to  propose  war  against  the 
Protestants,  by  the  importunity  of  his  Par- 
liament ;  whereupon,  he  declared  that  he 
would  make  every  member  a  captain  of  a 
company  in  the  army  :  the  proposal  was 
then  uncuiiinously  negatived. 

Contrasts.  Our  fair  ladies  laugh  at  the 
Chinese  ladies,  for  depriving  themselves 
of  the  use  of  their  feet,  by  tight  shoes  and 
bandages,  and  whose  character  would  be 
ruined  in  the  estimation  of  their  associates, 
if  they  were  even  suspected  of  being  able 
to  walk  : — while  they,  by  the  more  danger- 
ous and  destructive  habits  of  tight-lacing, 
destroy  functions  of  the  body  far  more  im- 
portant, not  only  to  themselves,  but  to  their 
offspring ;  and  whole  troops  of  dandies, 
quite  as  taper-waisted,  and  almost  as  mas- 
culine as  their  mothers,  are  the  natural  re- 
sults of  such  a  gross  absurdity.  If  to  be 
admired — is  the  motive  of  such  a  custom,  it 
is  a  most  paradoxical  mode  of  accomplish- 
ing this  end  ;  for  that  which  is  destructive 
ofhealth,  must  be  more  destructive  of  beau- 
ty— that  beauty,  in  a  vain  effort  to  preserve 
which,  the  victims  of  this  fashion  have  de- 
voted themselves  to  a  joyless  youth,  and  a 
premature  decrepitude, 

Varieties.  1 .  Is  it  best  to  divulge  the  truth 
tn  all.  whatever  may  be  their  state  of  mind 
and  life  1  2.  A  good  tale — is  never  the  worse 
for  being  twice  told.  3.  Those  who  do  not 
lave  any  thing,  rarely  experience  great  enjoy- 
ments ;  those  who  do  love,  often  suffer  deep 
griefs.  4.  The  way  to  heaven  is  delightful 
to  those  who  love  to  walk  in  it ;  and  the  diffi- 
culties we  meet  with  in  endeavoring  to  keep 
it,  do  not  spring  from  the  nature  of  the  way, 
but  from  the  state  of  the  traveler.  5.  He, 
who  wishes  nothing,  will  gain  nothing.  6.  It 
is  good  to  know  a  great  deal ;  but  it  is  better 
to  make  a  good  use  of  what  we  do  know.  7. 
Every  day — brings  forth  something  for  the 
mind  to  be  exercised  on,  either  of  a  mental, 
or  external  character;  and  to  be  faithful  in 
it,  and  acquit  ourselves  with  the  advantage 
derived  thereby,  is  both  wisdom  and  duty. 
Whether  he  knew  things,  or  no, 
His  tongue  eternally  would  go  ; 
For  he  had  impudence — at  will. 


34 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


63.  Elocution  and  Music  being  insepar- 
able in  their  nature,  every  one,  of  common 
organization,  whether  aware  of  it,  or  not, 
uses  all  the  elements  of  Music  in  his  daily 
intercourse  with  society.  When  we  call  to 
one  at  a  distance,  we  raise  the  voice  to  the 
upper  pitches:  when  to  one  near  by,  we 
drop  it  to  the  lower  pitches  ;  and  when  at  a 
medium  distance,  we  raise  it  to  the  middle 
pitches  :  that  is,  in  the  first  case,  the  voice 
is  on,  or  about  the  eighth  note  :  in  the  sec- 
ond, on,  or  about  the  first  note:  and  in  the 
last  place,  on,  or  about  the  third  or  fifth 
note.  In  commencing  to  read  or  speak  in 
public,  one  should  never  commence  above 
his  fifth  note,  or  below  his  third  note  :  and, 
to  ascertain  on  what  particular  pitch  the 
lowest  natural  note  of  the  voice  is,  pro- 
nounce the  word  awe,  by  prolonging  it, 
without  feeling  ;  and  to  get  the  upper  one, 
sound  eel,  strongly. 

64.  Vocal  Music.  In  the  vowel  sounds 
of  our  language,  are  involved  all  the  ele- 
ments of  music ;  hence,  every  one  who 
wishes,  can  learn  to  sing.  These  eight 
vowels,  when  naturally  sounded,  by  a  de- 
veloped voice,  will  give  the  intonations  of 
the  notes  in  the  scale,  as  follows ,  com- 
mencing at  the  bottom. 

1st  e  in  eel,  8  — O— 

1st  i  in  Isle,  7  — O 

Sdoin  ooze,  6 

1st  o  in  old,  5  — O— 

4rtA  a  in  at,  4: 

1st  a  in  ale,  3  —  O— 

2d  a  in  ar,  2 


C    note    O-S-la-flVo-A. 
Half  tone. 

B  note 


Tone. 

A  note 

Tone. 

Gnote  O-5-la-JMedium. 
Tone. 


Half  tone. 

E  note  p-3-la-.l/cdiH  r, 


D  note- 
Tone  ; 


3d  a  in  all,  1  — O—  C     note    O-1-la-Zojr. 

65.  This  Diatonic  Scale  of  eight  notes, 
(though  there  are  but  seven,  the  eighth  being 
a  repetition  of  the  first.,)  comprehends  five 
whole  tones,  and  two  semi,  or  half  tones. 
An  erect  ladder,  with  seven  rounds,  is  a 
good  representation  of  it  ;  it  stands  on  the 
ground,  or  floor,  which  is  the  tonic,  or  first 
note  ;  the  first  round  is  the  second  note,  or 
superlouic  ;  the  second  round  is  the  third 
note,  or  mediant;  the  third  round,  is  the 
fourth  note,  or  subdominant ;  between 
which,  and  the  second  round,  there  is  a 
semitone  ;  the  fourth  round  is  the  fifth  note, 
or  dominant  ;  the  fifth  round  is  the  sixth 
note,  or  submediant  ;  the  sixth  round  is  the 
seventh  note,  or  sublonic  ;  and  the  seventh 
round  is  the  eighth  note,  or  octave. 

Keep  one  consistent  plan — from  end — to  end. 


Notes.     1.  In  Son g,  as  well  as  in  Speech,  the  Articulation, 

Pitch,  Force,  and  Time,  must  be  attended  to  ;  i.  e.  in  both  arts,  mas- 
ter the  right  form  of  the  elements,  the  degree  of  elevation  and  de- 
pression of  the  voice,  the  kind  and  degree  of  loudness  of  sounds, 
and  their  duration :  there  is  nothing  in  singing  that  may  not  be 
found  in  speaking. 

Anecdote.  Musical  Pun.  A  young  Mu- 
sician, remarkable  fo  his  modesty  and  sin- 
cerity, on  his  first  appearance  before  the  pub- 
lic, finding  that  he  could  not  give  the  trills, 
effectively,  assured  the  audience,  by  way  of 
apology,  "that  he  trembled  so,  that  he  could 
not  shake. 

Proverbs.  1 .  A  word— is  enough  to  the  wise. 
2.  It  is  easier  to  resist  our  bad  passions  at  first, 
than  after  indulgence.  3.  Jokes — are  bad  coin 
to  all  but  the  jocular.  4.  You  may  find  your 
worst  enemy,  or  best  friend — in  yourself.  5.  Ev- 
ery one  has  his  hobby.  6.  Fools — have  liberty  to 
say  what  they  please.  7.  Give  every  one  his  due. 
8.  He  who  wants  content,  cannot  find  it  in  an 
easy  chair.  9.  /ZZ-will  never  spoke  well.  10. 
Lawyer's  gowns  are  lined  with  the  wilfulness  of 
their  clients.  11.  Hungei — is  an  excellent  sauce. 
12.  I  confide,  and  am  at  rest. 

True  Wisdom.  All  have  the  faculty 
given  them  of  growing  wise,  but  not  equal- 
ly wise  :  by  which  faculty  is  not  meant  the 
ability  to  reason  about  truth  and  goodness 
from  the  sciences,  and  thus  of  confirming 
whatever  any  one  pleases  ;  but  that  of  dis- 
ccr?iing  what  is  true,  choosing  what  is  suit- 
able, and  applying  it  to  the  various  uses  of 
life.  He  is  not  the  richest  man,  who  is  able 
to  comprehend  all  about  making  money,  and 
can  count  millions  of  dollars  ;  but  he,  who 
is  in  possession  of  millions,  and  makes  a 
proper  use  of  them. 

Varieties.  1.  Does  not  life — beget  life, 
and  death — generate  death?  2.  Tfie  man, 
who  is  always  complaining,  and  bewailing 
his  misfortu?ies,  not  only  feeds  his  own  mis- 
ery, but  wearies  and  disgusts  others.  3. 
We  are  apt  to  regulate  our  mode  of  living — 
more  by  the  example  of  others,  than  by  the 
dictates  of  reason  and  common  sense.  4. 
Frequent  recourse  to  artifice  and  cunning — 
is  a  proof  of  a  want  of  capacity,  as  well  as 
of  an  illiberal  mind.  5.  Every  one,  who 
does  not  grow  better,  as  he  grows  older,  is  a 
spendthrift  of  that  time,  which  is  more  pre- 
cious than  gold.  6.  Do  what  you  know, 
and  you  will  know  what  to  do.  7.  As  is 
the  reception  of  truths,  such  is  the  percep- 
tion of  them  in  all  minds.  8.  Do  you  see 
more  than  your  brother  ?  then  be  more 
humble  and  thankful;  hurt  not  him  with 
thy  meal,  and  strong/uocZ  ;  when  a  man,  he 
will  be  as  able  to  eat  it  as  yourself,  and, 
perhaps,  more  so. 

Walk  with  thy  fellow  creatures':  note  the  hush 
And  tchispcrings  amongst  them.     Not  a  spring 
Or  leaf—  but  hath  his  morning  hymn  ;  each  bush 
And  oak — doth  know  I  am.    Canst  thou  not  sing  1 
O  leave  thy  cares  and  follies  I  go  this  way, 
And  thou  art  sure  to  prosper-  all  the  day. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


35 


66.  The     twentj--eiglit    consonant 

sounds.  For  the  purpose  of  still  further 
developing  and  training  the  voice,  and  ear, 
for  reading,  speaking,  and  singing,  a  system- 
atic, and  thorough  practice,  on  the  twenty- 
eight  consonants,  is  absolutely  essential  :  in 
which  exercises,  it  is  of  the  first  importance, 
to  make  the  effort  properly,  and  observe  the 
exact  positions  of  the  organs.  These  conso- 
nants are  either  single,  double,  or  triple; 
and  some  of  them  are  vocal  sounds,  {sub-ton- 
ics, or  sub-vowels,)  others,  merely  aspirates, 
breath  sounds  or  atonies :  let  them  be  analy- 
zed and  presented  according  to  their  natures, 
and  uses. 

67.  B  lias  but  one  sound,  wltfcn  is 
Its  name  sound:  BA;  Ima,  \j^j^/ 
ball,  bat;  be,  beg;  bide,  bid;  /  (  \ 
bode,  boon,  boss  ;  bute,  buss,  (^£^^j\ 
brute  ;  boil,  bound ;  a  rob- in  im-  ^  —  ' 
bibed  blub-bers  from  a  bob-bin,  [B  in  ba.] 
and  g-o&-bled  forca&-bage;  the  rob-ber  blab- 
bed "o«r-ba-rous-ly,  and  bam-Joc-zled  the 
tab-by  na-bob  ;  Ja-cob  dab-b\ed  in  rib- 
bons, and  played  7to&-nob  with  a  cob-\er  ; 
the  bab-oo?*  6a-by  gab-bled  its  g?6-ber-ish, 
and  made  a  /tw&-bub  for  its  bib  and  black- 
ber-ries ;  the  rafc-ble's  hob-by  is,  to  brow- 
beat the  firara-ble  bushes  for  6(7-ber-ries,  and 
bribe  the  boo-by  of  his  bom-ftas-tic  black- 
bird. 

68.  By  obtaining  correct  ideas  of  the 
sounds  of  our  letters,  and  their  influences 
over  each  other ;  of  the  meaning  and  pro- 
nunciation of  words,  and  their  power  over 
the  understanding  and  will  of  man,  when 
properly  arranged  into  sentences,  teeming 
with  correct  thought  and  genuine  feeling, 
I  may,  with  proper  application  and  exercise, 
become  a  good  reader,  speaker,  and  writer. 

Notes.  !.  To  get  the  vocal  sound  of  6,  speak  its  name, 
bi,  and  then  make  a  strong  effort  to  pronounce  it  again,  compress. 
iug  the  lips  closely  j  and  the  momeDt  you  give  the  sound  of  be, 
when  you  get  to  e,  stop,  and  you  will  have  the  right  sound;  or, 
pronounce  ub,  in  the  usual  way,  then,  with  the  teeth  shut,  and  the 
lips  very  close,  prolonging  the  last  sound ;  and,  in  both  cases,  let 
none  of  the  sound  of  b,  come  into  the  mouth,  or  pass  through  the 
r.ose.  2.  It  was  in  analyzing  and  practicing  the  sounds  of  the  let- 
ters, and  the  different  pitches  and  qualities  of  voice,  that  the  author 
became  acquainted  with  the  principles  of  VENTRILOQUISM,  (or 
vocal  modulation,  as  it  should  be  called,)  which  art  is  perfectly 
simple,  and  can  be  acquired  and  practiced  by  almost  any  one  of 
common  organization.  Begin  by  swallowing  the  sound,  suppress- 
ing and  depressing  it.  3.  B  is  silent  in  dett,  su&t-le,  douM,  lamfi, 
comfi,  dumfc,  thumi,  limi,  crumfc,  suoMe-ty,  suc-cumi,  Well-ium. 

Anecdote.  A  beautiful  English  countess 
said,  that  the  most  agreeable  compliment  she 
ever  had  paid  her,  was  from  a  sailor  in  the 
street ;  who  looked  at  her,  as  if  fascinated, 
and  exclaimed,  "  Bless  me  !  let  me  light  my 
pipe  at  your  eyes." 

We  rise — in  glory,  as  we  sink— in  pride  ; 
Where  boasting — ends,  there  dignity — begins. 
The  true,  and  only  friend — is  he, 
Who,  like  the  Arbor-vitm  true, 
Will  bear  our  image — on  his  heart. 
Whatever  is  excellent,  in  art,  proceeds 
From  labor  and  endurance. 


Proverbs.  1.  Gentility,  sent  to  market,  will 
not  buy  oven  a  peck  of  corn.  2  He,  that  is 
icann,  thinks  others  so.  3.  A  true  friend— should 
venture,  sometimes,  to  he  a  little  offensive.  -1.  It 
is  easy  to  take  a  man's  part ;  but  the  difficulty  i; 
to  maintain  it.  5.  Misfortunes— seldom  come 
alone.    6.  Never  quit  a  c  hope.    7.  One 

—beats  the  bush,  and  another—  catches  the  bird. 
8.  Plough,  or  not  plough,— you  must  pay  your 
rent.  9.  Rome— was  not  built  in  a  day.  10.  Seek 
till  yon  find,  and  you  will  not  lose  your  labor. 
11.  An  oak— is  not  felled  by  one  stroke.  12.  A 
display  of  courage— often  causes  real  cowardice. 

Party  Spirit.  The  spirit  of  party — un- 
questionably, has  its  source  in  some  of  the 
native  passions  of  the  heart;  and  free  gov- 
ernments naturally  furnish  more  of  its  ali- 
ment, than  those  under  which  liberty  of 
speech,  and  of  the  press  is  restrained,  by  the 
strong  arm  of  power.  But  so  naturally  does 
party  run  into  extremes ;  so  unjust,  cruel, 
and  remorseless  is  it  in  its  excess  ;  so  ruthless 
is  the  war  which  it  wages  against  private 
character;  so  unscrupulous  in  the  choice 
of  means  for  the  attainment  of  selfish  ends  ,■ 
so  sure  is  it,  eventually,  to  dig  the  grave  of 
those  free  institutions  of  which  it  pretends 
to  be  the  necessary  accompaniments ;  so  inev- 
itably does  it  end  in  military  despotism,  and 
unmitigated  tyrant/ ;  that  I  do  not  know 
how  the  voice  and  influence  of  a  good  man 
could,  with  more  propriety,  be  exerted,  than 
in  the  effort  to  assuage  its  violence. 

Varieties.  1.  Are  our  ideas  innate,  or  ac- 
quired ?  2.  The  mind  that  is  conscious  of 
its  own  rectitude,  disregards  the  lies  of  com- 
mon report.  3,  Some — arc  very  liberal, 
even  to  profuseness,  when  they  can  be  so  at 
the  expense  of  others.  4.  There  are  pure 
loves,  else,  there  were  no  white  lilies,  5.  The 
glory  of  wealth  and  external  beauty — is 
transitory  ;  but  virtue — is  everlasting.  6. 
We  soon  acquire  the  habits  and  practices,  of 
those  we  live  with  ;  hence  the  importance  of 
associating  with  the  best  company,  and  of 
carefully  avoiding  such  as  may  corrupt  and 
debase  us.  7.  The  present  state  is  totally 
different  from  what  men  sttppose,  and  make, 
of  it;  the  reason  of  our  existence — is  our 
growth  in  the  life  of  heaven ,-  and  all  things 
are  moved  and  conspire  unto  it ;  and  great 
might  be  the  produce,  if  we  were  faithful  to 
the  ordinances  of  heaven. 

In  eastern  lands,  they  talk  in  flower's, 
And  they  tell,  in  a  garland,  their  love  and  cares  ; 

Each  blossom,  th't  blooms  in  their  garden  bow- 
ers, 
On  its  leaves,  a  mystic  language  bears  ; 

Then  gather  a  wreath  from  the  garden  bowers, 

And  tell  the  wish  of  thy  heart— in  flowers. 

Praise,  from  a  friend,  or  censure,  from  a  FOE, 

Is  lost — on  hearers  th't  our  merits  know. 
As  full  as  an  egg  is  of  meat. 


36 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


69.  These  arts,  like  all  others,  are  made 
up  of  many  little  things  ;  if  I  look  well  to 
them,  all  difficulties  will  vanish,  or  be  easily 
overcome.  Every  youth  ought  to  blush  at 
the  thought,  of  remaining-  ignorant,  of  the 
first  principles  of  his  native  language.  I 
can  do  almost  any  thing,  if  I  only  think  so, 
and  try  ;  therefore,  let  me  not  say  I  can't  ; 
but  I  WILL. 

70.  C  lias  four  regular  sounds  :  first, 
name  sound,  or  that  of  s,  be- 
fore e,  i,  and  y  ;  cede,  ci-on,  cy-  , , 
press ;  rec-i-pe  for  ceZ-i-ba-cy  (f^SS 
in  the  cit-y  of  Cin-cin-/ta-ti  is  \\  _ 
a/as-ci-nat-ing  soZ-ace  for  civ-il  [C  in  cede.] 
so-ci-e-ty;  CVc-e-ro  and  Ce-ciZ-i-as,  with 
«ac-it  re-ci-proc-i-ty  di-Zac-er-ate  the  a-cid 
pam-ice  with  the  /a-cile  pin-cers  of  the 
vice-g-e-rency  ;  the  a-ces-cen-cy  of  the  en- 
rolls in  the  pZa-cid  ceZ-Iar,  and  the  im-fiec-ile 
Zic-o-rice  on  the  cor-nice  of  the  prec-i-pice 
ex-cite  the  (Zis-ci-pline  of  the  doc-ile  di-oc- 
e-san. 

71.  Lisping — is  caused  by  permitting  the 
tongue  to  come  against,  or  between  the  front 
teeth,  when  it  should  not ;  thus,  substituting 
the  breath  sound  of  th  for  that  of  s  or  sh. 
This  bad  habit  may  be  avoided  or  overcome 
by  practicing  the  above  and  similar  com- 
binations, with  the  teeth  closely  and  firmly 
set ;  not  allowing  the  tongue  to  press  against 
the  teeth,  nor  making  the  effort  too  near  the 
front  part  of  the  mouth.  The  object  to  be 
attained  is  worthy  of  great  efforts :  many 
can  be  taught  to  do  a  thing,  in  a  proper 
manner,  which  they  would  never  find,  out 
of  themselves. 

73.  Irregulars.  <S  often  has  this  sound  ; 
rise  and  pro-gress.  The  pre-cwe  Sal-lust, 
starts  on  stilts,  and  assists  the  earths  in  the 
u-ni-verse  for  con-science'  sake :  he  spits 
base  brass  and  subsists  on  stripes ;  the 
ma-g-j's-trates  sought ;  So-lus  boasts  he 
twists  the  texts  and  suits  the  several 
sects ;  the  strong  masts  stood  still  it;  the  fi- 
nest streets  of  Syr-a-cwse  ;  Se-sos-tris,  still 
strutting,  persists  the  Swiss  ship  is  sunk, 
while  sweetness  sits  smiling  on  the  lips. 
Swan  swam  over  the  sea ;  well  swum 
swan;  swan  swam  back  again  ;  well  swum 
swan.  Sam  Slick  sawed  six  sleek  slim 
slippery  saplings.  Amidst  the  mists  he 
thrust  his  fists  against  the  posts,  and  in- 
sists he  sees  the  ghosts  in  Sixth  street. 

Notes.  1.  S  has  the  above  sound,  at  the  beginning  of 
words,  and  other  situations,  when  preceded  or  followed  by  an 
aorupt,  or  a  breath  consonant.  2.  To  make  this  aspirate,  place 
the  organs  as  in  the  engraving,  and  begin  to  whisper  the  word  see; 
but  give  none  of  the  sound  of  e.  Never  permit  sounds  to  coalesce, 
that  ought  to  be  heard  distinctly;  hosts,  costs,  &c.  4.  Don't  let 
*  the  teeth  remain  together  an  instant,  after  the  sound  is  made ; 
rather  not  bring  them  quite  together.  5.  C  is  silent  in  the  follow- 
ing: Czar,  arbuscles,  victuals,  Czarina,  (  t  long  e,)  muscle,  indicta- 
ble, and  second  c  in  Connecticut 

Hear,  then,  my  argument  ;  confess  we  must, 

A  God  there  issuprcmel  y  just  ; 

If  so,  however  things  affect  our  sight, 

(  As  ships  the  bard,  )  "  whatever  is — is  right." 

As  the  wind  blows,  you  must  set  your  sail. 

Good  measure,  pressed  Jeicnand  running  over. 


Proverbs.  1.  Building — is  a  sweet  impov- 
erishing. 2.  Unmanliness — is  not  so  impolite,  as 
over-politeness.  3.  Death — is  deaf,  and  hears 
no  denial.  4.  Every  good  scholar  is  not  a  good 
schoolmaster.  5.  Fair  words  break  no  bones ; 
but  foul  words  many  a  one.  6.  He,  who  has 
not  bread  to  spare,  should  not  keep  a  dog.  7.  If 
you  had  fewer  pretended  friends,  and  more  ene- 
mies, you  would  have  been  a  better  man.  8. 
Lean  liberty — is  better  than  fat  slavery.  9. 
Much  coin — much  care;  much  meat — muchmoi- 
ady.  10.  The  submitting  to  one  wrong — often 
brings  another.  11.  Consult  your  purse,  before 
you  do  fancy.  12.  Do  what  you  ought,  come 
what  will 

Anecdote.  The  Psalter.  The  Rev.  Mr. 
M — ,  paid  his  devoirs  to  a  lady,  who  was  pre- 
possessed in  favor  of  a  Mr.  Psalter  .•  her  par- 
tiality being  very  evident,  the  former  took 
occasion  to  ask,  (in  a  room  full  of  company,) 
"  Pray  Miss,  how  far  have  you  got  in  your 
Psalter  ?"  The  lady  archly  replied, — As  far 
as  "  Blessed  is  the  man." 

Boole  Keeping — is  the  art  of  keeping 
accounts  by  the  way  of  debt  and  credit.  It 
teaches  us  all  business  transactions,  in  an 
exact  manner,  so  that,  at  any  time,  the  true 
state  of  our  dealings  may  be  easily  known. 
Its  principles  are  simple,  its  conclusions  nat- 
ural and  certain,  and  the  proportion  of  its 
parts  complete.  The  person,  who  buys  or 
receives,  is  Dr.  [Debtor,)  the  one  who  sells,  or 
parts  with  any  thing,  is  Cr.  [Creditor  .■)  that 
is,  Dr.  means  your  charges  against  the  per- 
son ;  and  Cr.  his  against  you  :  therefore,  when 
you  sell  an  article,  in  charging  it,  say,  "  To 
so  and  so,"  ( mentioning  the  article,  weight, 
quantity,  number,  amount,  &c. )  "  so  much :" 
but  when  you  buy,  or  receive  any  thing,  in 
giving  credit  for  it,  say,  By  so  and  so  ;  men- 
tioning particulars  as  before.  A  knowledge 
of  Book-keeping  is  important  to  every  one 
who  is  engaged  in  any  kind  of  business  ; 
and  it  must  be  evident,  that  for  the  want  of 
it — many  losses  have  been  sustained,  great 
injustice  done,  and  many  law-suits  entailed. 

Varieties.  1.  Ought  lotteries  to  be  abol- 
ished? 2.  Carking  cares,  and  anxious  ap- 
prehensions are  injurious  to  body  and  mind. 
3.  A  good  education — is  a  young  man's  best 
capital.  4.  He,  that  is  slow  to  wrath,  is  better 
than  the  mighty.  5.  Three  difficult  things 
are — to  keep  a  secret,  to  forget  an  injury, 
and  make  good  use  of  leisure  hours.  6.  If 
one  speaks  from  an  evil  affection,  he  may 
influence,  but  not  enlighten,-  he  may  cause 
blind  acquiescence,  but  not  action  from  a 
conscious  sense  of  right.  7.  Men  have  just 
so  much  of  life  in  them,  as  they  have  of  pure 
truth  and  its  good — implanted  and  growing 
in  them. 

Would  you  live  an  angel's  days  * 
Be  honest,  just,  and  wise,  always. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


37 


73.  A  perfect  knowledge  of  these  ele- 
mentary and  cmnhined  sounds,  is  essential  to 
my  becoming  a  good  elocutionist,  and  is  an 
excellent  preparation  for  studying  any  of 
the  modern  languages :  I  must  master 
them,  or  I  cannot  succeed  in  acquiring  a 
distinct,  appropriate,  graceful  and  effective 
enunciation ;  but  resolution,  self-exertion 
and  perseverance  are  almost  omnipotent :  I 
will  try  them  and  see. 

74.  The  second  sound  of  C,  is  hard, 
or  like  k,  before  a,  o,  u,  k,  I,  r, 
t  ;  and  generally  at  the  end  of 
words  and  syllables.  Came,  car, 
call,  cap  ;  cove,  coon,  cot ;  cute 
cut,  crude;  coil,  cloud;  Clark 
comes  to  catch  dams,  crabs  and  tCmCAR-l 
creni'-fish  to  cram  his  cow  ;  the  cr<wA--ing 
srep-tic,  in  xac-coon  wtoe-a-sins,  suc-cMmos 
to  the  arc-tic  spec-ta-c\e,  and  ac-cowi-mo- 
dates  his  ac-counts  to  the  oc-cult  stuc-co  of 
the  e-clip-tic ;  the  crowd  claims  the  clocks, 
and  climbs  the  cliffs  to  clutch  the  crows  that 
craunched  the  bu-coZ-ics  of  the  7/n-cro-cosm. 

75.  The  chest  should  be  comparatively 
quiescent,  in  breathing,  speaking  and  sing- 
ing ;  and  the  dorsal  and  abdominal  muscles 
be  principally  used  for  these  purposes.  All 
children  are  naturally  right,  in  this  particu- 
lar ;  but  they  become  perverted,  during 
their  primary  education  :  hence,  the  author 
introduces  an  entirely  new  mode  of  learning 
the  letters,  of  spelling,  and  of  teaching  to 
read  without  a  book,  and  then  with  a  book  ; 
the  same  as  we  learn  to  talk.  The  effort — 
to  produce  sounds,  and  to  breathe,  must  be 
made  from  the  lower  muscles,  above  alluded 
to  :  thus  by  the  practice  of  expelling,  ( not 
exploding)  the  vowel  sounds,  we  return  to 
truth  and  nature. 

76.  Irregulars.  Ch  often  have  this 
sound  ;  (the  h  is  silent ; )  also  o  and  k — always 
when  not  silent;  the  queer  co-quetle  kicks 
the  chi-mer-i-cal  ar-chi-tect,  for  caZ-e-chi- 
sing  the  crit-i-ca\  choir  about  the  char- 
ac-ter  of  the  chro-mal-ic  cho-rus  ;  Tich-i- 
cus  Schenck,  the  quid-nunc  me-cha?i-ic  of 
ATw-nich,  OMi'-et-ly  quits  the  or-chieves 
of  the  Tus-can  mosque,  on  ac-eount  of  the 
ca-chex-y  of  cac-o-tech-ny ;  the  piq-uant 
crit-'ic  quaked  at  the  quilt-mg,  and  asked 
o/Mes-tions  of  the  quorum  of  quil-ters. 

77.  The  expression  of  affection  is  the 
legitimate  function  of  sound,  which  is  an  el- 
ement prior  to,  and  within  language.  The 
affections  produce  the  varieties  of  sound, 
whether  of  joy  or  of  grief ;  and  sound,  in 
speech,  manifests  both  the  quality  and  quan- 
tity of  the  affection  :  hence,  all  the  music  is 
in  the  vowel  sounds  :  because,  all  music  is 
from  the  affectuous  part  of  the  mind,  and 
vowels  are  its  only  mediums  of  manifesta- 
tion. As  music  proceeds  from  affection  and 
is  addressed  to  the  affection,  a  person  does 
not  truly  sing,  unless  he  sings  from  affec- 
tion ;  nor  does  a  person  truly  listen,  and 
derive  the  greatest  enjoyment  from  the  mu- 
sic, unless  he  yields  himself  fully  to  the  af- 
fection, which  the  music  inspires. 


i\otes.  1.  To  produce  this  gutteral  aspirate,  "whisper  the 
imaginary  word  Ttuh,  <  u  short;)  or  the  word  booh,  in  a  whisper- 
ing voice,  and  the  Zosi  Bound  is  the  one  required  :  the  posterior,  or 
root  of  the  tongue  being  pressed  against  the  uvula,  or  veil  of  (lie 
palate.  2.  Observe  the  difference  between  the  name*  of  letters, 
and  their  peculiar  sounds.  In  giving  the  noma  of  consonants, 
we  use  one,  or  more  vowels,  which  make  no  part  of  the  consonant 
sound ;  thus,  we  call  the  letter  C  by  the  mune  see ;  but  the  « 
make  no  part  of  its  sound,  which  is  simply  a  hiss,  made  by  forc- 
ing the  air  from  the  lungs,  through  the  teeth,  when  they  are  shut, 
as  indicated  by  the  engraving  ;  similar  facts  attend  the  other  conso- 
nants. 3.  //,  is  silent  before  71 ; — as  the  fcnavish  Anight  knuckled 
and  ftneeled  to  the  knit  fenobs  of  the  fcnees1  fenick-ftnacks,  &c.  ; 
Gh,  have  this  sound  in  lough,  (lock,  a  lake;  Irish; )  hough,  (hock, 
joint  of  a  hind  leg  of  a  beast.  ) 

Proverbs.  I.  Every  dog  has  his  day,  and 
every  man  his  hour.  2.  Forbid  a  fool  a  thing, 
and  he'll  do  it.  3.  He  must  rise  betimes,  that 
would  please  every  body.  4.  It  is  a  loner  lane 
that  has  no  turning.  5.  Judge  not  of  a  ship, 
as  she  lies  on  the  stocks.  G.  Let  them  laugh 
that  win.  7.  No  great  loss  but  there  is  some 
small  gain.  8.  Never  too  old  to  learn.  9.  No 
condition  so  low,  but  may  have  hopes  ;  and  none 
so  high,  but  may  have  fears.  10.  The  wise  man 
thinks  he  knows  but  little;  thefool — thinks  he- 
knows  all.  11.  Idleness — 13  the  mother  of  vice. 
12.  When  liquor  is  in,  sense — is  out. 

Anecdote.  William  Perm — and  Thomas 
Story,  on  the  approach  of  a  shower,  took 
shelter  in  a  tobacco  -house ;  the  owner  of 
which — happened  to  be  within ■  he  said  to 
the  traveler, — "You  enter  without  leave,- — 
do  you  know  who  I  am  ?  I  am  a  Just!'/  ol 
the  Peace.'"  To  which  Mr.  Story  replied — 
"My  friend  here — makes  such  things  as 
thee  ; — he  is  Governor  of  Pennsylvania." 

Eternal  Progress.  It  is  not  only  com- 
forting, but  encouraging,  to  think  that 
mind — is  awaking  ;  that  there  is  universal 
progress.  Men  are  borne  onward, — wheth- 
er they  will  or  not.  It  does  not  matter, 
whether  they  believe  that  it  is  an  impulse 
from  within,  or  above,  that  impels  them  for- 
ward ;  or,  whether  they  acknowledge  that 
it  is  the  onward  tendency  of  things,  con- 
trolled by  Divine  Providence  :  onward  they 
must  go  ;  and,  in  time,  they  will  be  blessed 
with  a  clearness  of  vision,  that  will  leave 
them  at  no  loss  for  the  whys  and  the  where- 
fores. 

Varieties.  1.  To  pay  great  attention  to 
trifles,  is  a  sure  sign  of  a  little  mind.  2. 
Which  is  worse,  a  bad  education,  or  no  edu  - 
cation  ]  3.  The  mind  must  be  occasionally 
indulged  with  relaxation,  that  it  may  return 
to  study  and  reflection  with  increased  vigor. 

4.  Love,  and  love  only,  is  the  loati  for  love. 

5.  To  reform  measures,  there  must  be  a 
change  of  men.  6.  Sudden  and  violent 
changes — are  not  often  productive  of  advan- 
tage— to  either  church,  slate  or  individual. 
7.  True  and  sound  reason — must  ever  ac- 
cord with  scripture :  he  who  appeals  to  one, 
must  appeal  to  the  other,-  for  the  word 
within  us,  and  the  word  without  us — are 
one,  and  bear  testimony  to  each  other. 


38 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


78.  These  principles  must  be  faithfully 
studied  and  practiced,  with  a  particular  refer- 
ence to  the  expulsion  of  the  short  vowel 
sounds,  and  the  prolongation  of  the  long 
ones;  which  exhibit  quantity  inits  elementa- 
ry state.  I  must  exercise  my  voice  and  mind, 
in  every  useful  way,  and  labor  to  attain  an 
intimate  knowledge  of  my  vocal  and  mental 
capacity ;  then  I  shall  be  able  to  see  any  de- 
fects, and  govern  myself  accordingly. 

79.  The  third  sound  of  C,  is  like  that 
of  Z  :  suffice ;  the  discerner  at 
sice,  dis-cmi-i-bly  dis-cerns  dis^ 


cem-i-ble  things  with  dis-ctv; 
dis-cera-ment,  and  dis-ccrn 
ness;  the  sac-ri-fi-cer,  in  sac-ri-fi-   Lc  in  sice.] 
cing,  sac-ri-fi-ces  the  sac-ri-fice  on  the  altar 
of  sac-ri-fice,  and  suf-fi-ceth  the  law  of  sac- 
ri-fice.    These  are  nearly  all  the  words  in 
our  language,  in  which  c,  sounds  like  z. 

SO.  Vowels — are  the  mediums  of  convey- 
ing the  affections,  which  impart  life  and 
warmth  to  speech  ;  and  consonants,  of  the 
thoughts,  which  give  light  and  form  to  it; 
hence,  all  letters  that  are  not  silent,  should 
be  zivenfully  and  distinctly.  The  reason — 
why  the  brute  creation  cannot  speak,  is,  be- 
cause they  have  no  understanding,  as  men 
have;  consequently,  no  thoughts,  and  of 
course,  no  articulating  organs:  therefore, 
they  merely  sound  their  affections,  instead 
of  speaking  them ;  being  guided  and  influ- 
enced by  instinct,  which  is  a  power  given 
them  for  their  preservation  and  continuance. 

81.  Irregulars.  S,Z,  and  A,  sometimes 
are  thus  pronounced  ;  as,  the  pres-i-dent  re- 
signs his  is-o-la-ted  houses,  and  absolves  the 
greasy  hussars  of  Js-lain-ism  ;  the  pu z-zler 
puz-zles  his  brains  with  na-sal  pains,  buz-zes 
about  the  trees  as  much  as  he  pleases,  and 
nes  the  ~i°--zag  g-ts-zards  of  Xerx-es 
with  dis-soZ-ving  huz-zas,-  Xan-thas  and 
Ae?i-o-phon  Ais-band  the  pis-mires,  which 
'/is-dain  to  dis-guise  their  dis-mal  phiz-es 
with  their  gris-ly  beards ;  Zion's  zeal  breathes 
zeph-yrs  upon  the  paths  of  truths,  where  re- 
sides the  soul,  which  loves  the  tones  of  mu- 
sic coming  up  from  Nat-uie's  m-o-nant 
/em-ples. 

^Xotes.  1.  This  vocal  diphthongal  sound  is  made  by  clos- 
'h,  as  in  making  the  name  sound  of  C,  and  producing 
the  2d  sound  of  a  in  the  larynx,  ending  with  a  hissing  sound;  or  it 
made  by  drawing  out  the  sound  of  z  in  z-  •  -est  2.  S, 
following  a  vocal  consonant,  generally  sounds  like  Z:  tubs,  adds ; 
eggs  ;  needs  ;  pens;  cars,  &c  ;  but  following  an  aspirate,  or  breath 
■  consonant,  it  sounds  like  c  in  cent,  facts,  tips,  muffs,  cracks,  &c. 

Would  you  taste  the  tranquil  scene  t 
Be  sure — your  bosom  be  serene  : 
Devoid  of  hate,  devoid  of  strife, 
Devoid  of  all,  th't  poisons  life. 
And  much  it  'rails  you — in  tlieir  place, 
To  graft  the  love  of  human  race. 

Be  always  as  merry  as  ever  you  can, 

For  «w  one  delights  in  a  loirmcful  man. 


8a.  The  perfection  of  music,  as  well  as 
of  speech,  depends  upon  giving  the  full  and 
free  expression  of  our  thoughts  and  affec- 
tions, so  as  to  produce  corresponding  ones  in 
the  minds  of  others.  This  is  not  the  work  of 
a  day,  a  month,  or  a  year  ;  but  of  a  life  ;  for 
it  implies  the  full  development  of  mind  and 
body.  The  present  age  presents  only  a  faint 
idea,  of  what  music  and  oratory  are  capable 
of  becoming ;  for  we  are  surrounded,  and 
loaded,  with  almost  as  many  bad  habits 
(which  prevent  the  perfect  cultivation  of  hu- 
manity,) as  an  Egyptian  mummy  is  of  folds 
of  linen.  Let  the  axe  of  truth,  of  principle, 
be  laid  at  the  root  of  every  tree  that  does  not 
bring  forth  good  fruit.  Which  do  we  like 
better — error,  or  truth  ? 

Proverbs.  1.  A  man  may  be  strong,  and 
not  mow  well.  2.  It  is  easier  to  keep  out  a  bad 
associate,  than  to  get  rid  of  him,  after  he  has 
been  admitted.  3.  Consider  well  what  you  do, 
whence  you  come,  and  whither  you^o.  4.  Ev- 
ery fool  can  find  faults,  that  a  great  many  wise 
men  cannot  mend.  5.  He  who  follows  his  own 
advice,  must  take  the  consequences.  6.  In  giv- 
ing, and  taking,  it  is  easy  mistaking.  7.  Letters 
do  not  blush.  8.  Jilurder — will  out.  9.  Nothing 
that  is  violent — is  permanent.  10.  Old  foxes  want 
no  tutors.  11.  The  first  chapter  of  fools  is,  to 
esteem  themselves  wise.  12.  God — tempers  the 
wind — to  the  shorn  lamb. 

Anecdote.  Doctor-'em.  A  physician, 
having  been  out  gaming,  but  without  success, 
his  servant  said,  he  would  go  into  the  next 
field,  and  if  the  birds  were  there,  he  would 
'  doctor- '£??(.'  "Doctor-'em, — what  do  you 
mean  by  that]"  inquired  his  master: 
"  Why,  kill  'em,  to  be-sure," — replied  the 
servant. 

Varieties.  1.  Which  has  caused  most 
evil,  intemperance,  war,  or  famine?  2. 
Power,  acquired  by  guilty  means,  never 
was,  and  never  will  be  exercised — to  pro- 
mote good  ends.  3.  By  applying  ourselves 
diligently  to  any  art,  science,  trade,  or  pro- 
fession, we  become  expert  in  it.  4.  To  be 
fond  of  a  great  variety  of  dishes — is  a  sure 
proof  of  a  perverted  stomach.  5.  Prosperity 
— often  leads  persons  to  give  way  to  their 
passions,  and  causes  them  to  forget  whenc« 
they  cauie,  what  they  are,  and  whither  they 
are  going.  6.  Evil  persons — asperse  the 
characters  of  the  good,  by  malicious  tales 
7.  Every  man  and  woman  have  a  good — 
proper  to  them,  which  they  are  to  perfect 
and  fill  up.  To  do  this — is  all  that  is  re- 
quired of  them ;  they  need  not  seek  to  be 
in  the  state  of  another. 

In  pleasure's  dream,  or  sorrow's  hour, 

In  crowded  hall,  or  lonely  bowr, 

The  bus'ness  of  my  soul — shall  be — 

Forever — to  remember  thee. 

Who  more  than  he  is  worth  doth  rptni, 
Ev'n  makes  a  rope — bis  life  to  end. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


39 


83.  Elocution  or  vocal  delivery,  relates 
to  the  propriety  of  utterance,  and  is  exhib- 
ited by  a  proper  enunciation,  inflection  and 
emphasis ;  and  signifies — the  manner  of  de- 
livery. It  is  divided  into  two  parts  ;^  the  cor- 
rect, which  respects  the  meaning  ot  what  is 
read  or  spoken ;  that  is,  such  a  clear  and  ac- 
curate pronunciation  of  the  words,  as  will 
render  them  perfectly  intelligible  ;  and  the 
rhetorical,  which  supposes  feeling  ;  whose 
object  is  fully  to  convey,  and  enforce,  the 
entire  sense,  with  all  the  variety,  strength, 
and  beauty,  that  taste  and  emotion  demand. 

84.  The    fonrtH  sound  of  C    is  SH  ; 
after  the  accent,  followed  by  ea,       „  _\ 
ia,ie,  eo,  eou,  and  iou  ;  O-CEAN;  / 

tous  i'Ao-ci-on,  te-raa-cious  j  6^Jg^l 

of  his  lus-cious  spe-cies,  ap-jwe-\\ )j 

ci-ates  his  con-sci-era-tious  as-so-  [CinCLA.] 
ci-ate,  who  e-««?t-ci-ates  his  sap-o-na-cious 
pre-science :  a  GVe-cian  pro-^-cient,  with 
ca-pa-cious  sw-per-fi-cies  and  hal-cy-on  pro- 
nun-ci-a-tion,  de-pre-ci-ates  the  fe-ro-cious 
gla-ciera,  and  ra-pa-cious  pro-ui?t-cial-isms 
of  Cap-a-cZo-cia. 

85.  The  business  of  training  youth  in 
Elocution,  should  begin  in  childhood,  before 
the  contraction  of  bad  habits,  and  while  the 
character  is  in  the  rapid  process  of  formation. 
The  first  school  is  the  nursery  :  here,  at 
least,  may  be  formed  a  clear  and  distinct  ar- 
ticulation ;  which  is  the  first  requisite  for 
good  reading,  speaking  and  singing:  nor  can 
ease  and  grace,  in  eloquence  and  music,  be 
separated  from  case  and  grace  in  private  life, 
and  in  the  social  circle. 

86.  Irregulars.  S,  t,  and  ch,  in  many 
words,  are  thus  pronounced  :  the  Zws-cious 
no-tion  of  Cham-pagne  and  prec-'ious  s?<- 
gar,  in  re-uer-sion  for  pa-tients,  is  suffi- 
cient for  the  ex-p?iZ-sion  of  transient  ir-ra- 
tion-aZ-i-ty  from  the  ju-rfi-cial  chev-a-Ziers 
of  ilficft-i-gan,  in  Chi-ra-go;  (She-eaw-go,) 
the  ?iaw-se-a-ting  ra-ci-oc-i-?ia-tions  of  sen- 
su-al  c/iar-la-tans  to  pro-p?-ti-ate  the  pas- 
sion-ate wi«r-chion-ess  of  Che-mung,  are 
mi-H7«-ti-a  for  ra-tion-al  fis-ures  to  make 
E-gyp-tian  op-ti-cians  of. 

Notes.     1.  This  aspirate  diphthong]  sound  may  be  made, 
i:i^  the  letters  sft,  in  a  whisper,  s/i — off.    See  engraving. 
2.  Beware  of  prolonging  this  sound  too  much.    3.  Exercise  all  the 
.•Titis-ular,  or  fleshy  parts  of  the  body,  and  let  your  efforts  be  made 
from  the  dorsal  region ;  i.  e.  the  small  of  the  back ;  thus  girding  up  me 
-mind     4.  If  you  do  not  feel  refreshed  and  invigorated 
by  these  exercises,  after  an  hour's  practice,  rest  assured  you  are  not 
in  nature's  path:  if  you  meet  with  difficulty,  be  particular  to  in- 
form your  teacher,  who  will  point  out  the  cawtc  and  the  remedy. 
5.  C  is  silent  in  Czar,  indict,  Cne-us,  Ctes-i-jhon,  science,  muscle, 
scene,  sceptre,  &c:  S,  do.  in  isle,  vis-count,  island,  o:c.:  Ch,  in 
y3  ''-j  (y°t,)  drac/im. 

True  love's  the  gift,  which  God  has  given 

To  man  alone,  beneath  the  heaven. 

It  is  the  secret  sympathy, 

The  silver  chord,  the  silken  tie, 

Which,  heart — to  heart,  and  mind — to  mind, 

In  body,  and  in  soul — can  bind. 

Pleasant  the  sun. 
When  first  on  this  delightful  land  he  spreads 
His  orient  beams. 


Proverbs.  1.  He  who  sows  brambles,  must 
not  go  barefoot.  2.  It  is  better  to  do  well,  than 
to  say  well.  3.  Look  before  you  leap.  4.  Noth- 
ing is  so  bad  as  nut  tut"!  good  for  some-thing.  5. 
One  fool  in  a  house  is  enough.  G.  Put  off  your 
armor,  and  then  show  your  courage.  7.  A  right 
choice  is  half  the  battle.  8.  The  fox— is  very 
;  but  he  is  more  cunning,  that  catches 
him.  9.  When  a  person  is  in  fear,  he  is  in  no 
state  for  enjoyment.  10.  When  rogues  fall  out, 
honest  men  get  their  due.  11.  Reward — is  certair 
to  the  faithful.     12.  Deceit— shows  a  little  mind. 

Anecdote.  A  gentleman,  who  had  lis- 
tened attentively  to  a  long,  diffuse  and  high- 
ly ornamented  prayer,  was  asked,  by  one 
of  the  members,  "  if  he  did  not  think  their 
minister  was  very  gifted  in  prayer." 
"  Yes  ;"  he  replied,  "  I  think  it  as  good  ? 
prayer  as  was  ever  offered  to  a  congrega- 
tion." 

Otvr  Persons.  If  our  knowledge  of  the 
outlines,  proportions,  and  symmetry  of  the 
human  form,  and  of  natural  attitudes  and 
appropriate  gestures  were  as  general  as  it 
ought  to  be,  our  exercises  would  be  deter- 
mined by  considerations  of  health,  grace 
and  purity  of  mind  ;  the  subject  of  clothing 
would  be  studied  in  reference  to  its  true 
purposes — protection  against  what  is  with- 
out, and  a  tasteful  adornment  of  the  person  ; 
decency  would  no  longer  be  determined  by 
fashion,  nor  the  approved  costumes  of  the 
day  be  at  variance  with  personal  comfort 
and  ease  of  carriage  ;  and  in  the  place  of 
fantastic  figures,  called  fashionably  dressed 
persons,  moving  in  a  constrained  and  artifi- 
cial manner,  we  would  be  arrayed  in  vest- 
ments adapted  to  our  size,  shape,  and  undu- 
lating outline  of  form,  and  with  drapery 
flowing  in  graceful  folds,  adding  to  the 
elasticity  of  our  steps,  and  to  the  varied 
movements  of  the  whole  body. 

Varieties.     1.  The  true  statesman  will 
never  flatter  the  people  ;  he  will  leave  that 
for  those,    who   mean   to  betray  them.     2. 
Will  dying  for  principles — prove  any  thing 
more  than  the  sincerity  of  the  martyr?     3. 
Which  is  the  stronger  passion,  love,  or  an- 
ger ?     4.  Public    speakers — ought   to    live 
longer,  and  enjoy  better  health,  than  others  ; 
and    they   will,    if  they   speak    right.     5. 
Mere  imitation — is  always  fruitless  ;  what 
we  get  from  others,  must  be  inborn  in  us, 
to  produce  the  designed  effects.     6.  Times 
of  general  calamity,  and    revolution,  have 
ever  been  productive  of  the  greatest  minds. 
7.  All  mere  external  worship,  in  which  the 
senses  hear,  and  the  mouth  speaks,  but  in 
which  the  life — is  unconcerned,  is  perfectly 
dead,  and  profiteth  nothing, 
Habitual  evils — change  not  on  a  sudden  ; 
But  many  days,  and  many  sorrows. 
Conscious  remorse,  and  anguish — must  be  felt, 
To  curb  desire,  to  break  the  stubborn  will, 
And  work  a  second  nature  in  the  soul, 
Ere  virtue — can  resume  the  place  she  lost. 
Let  the  tenor  of  my  life— speak  for  me. 


40 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


[  D  in  DO.  ] 


8  7.  Good  reading  and  speaking  is  mu- 
sic ;  and  he  who  can  sit  unmoved  by  their 
charms,  is  a  stranger  to  correct  taste,  and 
lost  in  insensibility.  A  single  exhibition 
of  natural  eloquence,  may  kindle  a  love  of 
the  art,  in  the  bosom  of  an  aspiring  youth, 
which,  in  after  life,  will  impel  and  ani- 
mate him — through  a  long  career  of  useful- 
ness. Self-mz.de  men  are  the  glory  of  the 
world. 

88.  D  lias  two  sonnds ',  first,  its  name 
sound  ;  DAME  ;  dart,  dawn, 
dab  ;  deed,  dead ;  die,  did  ;  dole, 
do,  dog ;  duke,  duck,  druid  ; 
doit,  doubt ;  a  dan-dy  de-fraud- 
ed  his  dad-dy  of  his  see-ond- 
hand-ed  sarf-dle,  and  dubbed  the 
had-dok  a  Za-dy-bird  ;  the  doub-\e  heod-ed 
pad-dy,  nod-d'mg  at  ?won-day,  de-(er-mined 
to  rid-dle  ted-ded  hay  in  the  fields  till  dooms- 
day ;  the  dog-ged  dry-ads  ad-dict-ed  to  dep- 
re-da-tions,  robbed  the  day-dawn  of  its 
dread-ed  di-a-dem,  and  erred  and  strayed  a 
good  deal  the  down-ward  road  to  ad-en- 
dum. 

89.  I  must  give  all  the  sounds,  particularly 
the  final  ones,  with  great  care,  and  never 
run  the  words  together,  making  one,  out  of 
three.  And — is  pronounced  six  different 
ways  ;  only  one  of  which  is  right.  Some 
call  it  an,  or  en  ;  others,  un,  VzcZ.  or  n  ; 
and  a  few — and  ;  thus  good-an-bad  caus- 
en-effect  ;  loaves-en-fishes,  hills-un  proves; 
pen-un-ink,  you-nd  I,  or  youn-I ;  an-de- 
said ;  hooks-en-eyes,  wor-sen-worse,  pleas- 
ure-un-pain  ;  cakes-n-beer,  to-un-the ;  roun- 
d'n-round,  ol-d'n-young,  voice-n-ear;  bread- 
en-butter  ;  vir-tu-n-vice  ;  Jame-zen-  John  : 
solem-un-sub-lime,  up-'n-down,  pies'-n- 
cakes.  I  will  avoid  such  glaring  faults,  and 
give  to  each  letter  its  appropriate  sound. 

Kot€S.  1.  Here  the  delicate  ear  may  perceive  the  aspirate 
after  the  vocal  part  of  d,  as  after  b,  and  some  other  letters.  The 
vocal  is  made,  ( see  engraving, )  by  pressing  the  tongue  against  the 
gums  of  the  upper  fore-teelh,  (the  incisors,)  and  the  roof  of  the 
mouth,  beginning  to  say  d,  without  the  e  sound  j  and  the  as-pirated 
part,  by  removing  the  tongue,  and  the  organs  taking  their  natural 
positions  ;  but  avoid  giving  the  aspirate  of  the  vocal  consonants, 
any  vocality.  2.  By  whispering  the  vocal  consonants,  the  aspi- 
rate only  is  heard.  3.  D  is  silent  in  handsel,  handsaw,  hand- 
some, ftand-ker-chief,  and  the  first  d  in  Wednesday,  stadt-holder, 
and  in  Dnie-per,  (  Nee-per, )  and  Dnies-ter,  (  iVee*-ter  ).  4.  Do  not 
give  the  sound  of  j  to  d  in  any  word;  as — grand-eur,  sold-ier, 
verd-ure,  ed-u-cate,  ob-dn-rate,  cred-u-lous,  mod-u-late,  &c. ;  but 
•peak  them  as  though  written  grand-yur,  sold-yur,  &c. ;  the  same 
anilogy  prevails  in  na-ture,  fort-une,  &c.  5.  The  following  parti- 
cipials  and  adjectives,  should  be  pronounced  without  abridgment ; 
!  man  gives  unfeign-ed  thanks  to  his  learn-ed  friend,  and 
belov-ed  lady ;  some  wing-ed  animals  are  curs-ed  things ;  you  say 
he  ctirs'd  anJ  bless'd  him,  for  he  feign VI  that  he  had  learn'd  his 
lessson.  6.  Pronounce  words  in  the  Bible,  the  same  as  in  other 
books. 

Anecdote.  Blushing.  A  certain  fash- 
ionable and  dissipated  youth,  more  famed 
for  his  red  nose,  than  for  his  wit,  on  ap- 
proaching a  female,  who  was  highly  rouged, 
said;  "Miss;  you  blush  from  modesty." 
"  Pardon  me  Sir," — she  replied,  "  I  blush 
from  reflection^ 

Kindness — in  woman,  not  their  beauteous  looks 
Shall  win  my  love. 


90.  As  practicing  on  the  gutterals  very 
much  improves  the  voice,  by  giving  it  depth 
of  tone,  and  imparting  to  it  smoothness  and 
stre?i.gth,  I  will  repeat  the  following,  with 
force  and  energy,  and  at  the  same  time  con- 
vert all  the  breath  into  sound:  the  dis-car- 
ded  hands  dread-ed  the  sounds  of  the  muf- 
fled drums,  that  broke  on  the  sad-den"d 
dream-er^s  ears,  mad-dened  by  des-pair  ; 
the  blood  ebb'd  and  flow'd  from  their  doub- 
le dy'd  shields,  and  worlds  on  worlds,  and 
friends  on  friends  by  thousands  roffd. 

Proverbs,  1.  An  irritable  and  passionate 
man — is  a  downright  drunkard.  2.  Better  go  to 
heaven  in  rags,  than  to  hell,  in  embroidery.  3. 
Common  sense — is  the  growth  of  all  countries, 
but  very  rare.  4.  Death  has  nothing  terrible  in 
it,  but  what  life  has  made  so.  5.  Every  vice 
tights  against  nature.  6.  Folly — is  never  long 
pleased  with  itself.  7.  Quilt — is  always  jealous. 
8.  He  that  shows  his  passion,  tells  his  enemy 
where  to  hit  him.  9.  It  is  pride,  not  nature,  that 
craves  much.  10.  Keep  out  of  broils,  and  you 
will  neither  be  a  principal  nor  a  witness.  11. 
One  dog  barking,  another  soon  joins  him.  12. 
Money — is  a  good  servant,  but  a  had  master. 

Changes.  We  see  that  all  material  ob- 
jects around  us  are  changing  ;  their  colors 
change  just  as  the  particles  are  disturbed  in 
their  relations.  This  result  is  not  owing  to 
any  natural  cause,  but  to  the  Divine  Power. 
And  are  there  not  higher  influences  more  po- 
tent, tho'  invisible,  acting  on  man's  moral 
nature,  pervading  the  deepest  abysses  of  his 
affection,  and  the  darkest  recesses  of  his 
thoughts  ;  to  purify  the  one,  and  enlighten 
the  olher,  and  from  the  chaos  of  both — to 
educe  order,  beauty  and  happiness  ?  And 
why  is  it  not  changed  ?  Snail  we  deny  to 
his  moral  nature,  the  powers  and  capacities 
which  we  assign  to  stocks  and  stones  ?  Or. 
is  the  Almighty  less  inclined  to  bring  the 
most  highly  endowed  of  his  creatures  into 
the  harmony  and  blessedness  of  his  own  Di- 
vine Order  ?  To  affirm  either  would  be 
the  grossest  reflection  on  the  character  of 
God,  and  the  nature  of  his  works.  If  man. 
then,  be  not  changed,  so  as  to  reflect  the 
likeness  and  image  of  his  Creator  and  Re- 
deemer, it  must  be  in  consequence  of  his 
own  depraved  will,  and  blinded  understand- 
ing. 

Varieties.  1.  Why  is  the  letter  D  like 
a  sailor  ?  because  it  follows  the  C.  2. 
Books,  ( says  Lord  Bacon, )  should  have  no 
patrons,  but  truth  and  reason.  3.  Who  fol- 
lows not  virtue  in  youth,  cannot  fly  vice  in 
old  age.  4.  Never  buy — what  you  do  not 
want,  because  it  is  cheap  ;  it  will  be  a  dear 
article  to  you  in  the  end.  5.  Those — bear 
disappointments  the  best,  who  have  been 
most  used  to  them.  6.  Confidence — produces 
more  conversation  than  either  wit  or  talent. 
7.  Attend  well  to  all  that  is  said  ;  for  noth- 
ing— exists  in  vain,  either  in  outward  cre- 
ation, in  the  mind,  in  the  speech,  or  in  the 
actions. 

Authors,  before  they  write,  should  read. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


41 


91,  Do  not  hurry  your  enunciation  of 
words,  precipitating  syllable  over  syllabic, 
and  word  over  word  ;  nor  mell  them  together 
into  a  mass  of  confusion,  in  pronouncing 
them  ;  do  not  abridge  or  prolong  them  too 
much,  nor  swallow  nor  force  them;  but  de- 
liver them  from  your  vocal  and  articulating 
organs,  as  golden  coins  from  the  mint,  ac- 
curately impressed,  perfectly  finished,  neatly 
and  elegantly  struck,  distinct,  in  due  suc- 
cession, and  of  full  weight. 

93.  The  second  sound  of  D,  is  tliat 
of  T;  when  at  the  end  of  words, 
after  c,  f  ss,  p,  q,  o,  x,  ch,  and  , 
sh,  with  silent  e,  under  the  ac-/, 
cent ;  FAC'D  :  he  curs'd  his 
stuff'd  shoe,  and  dipp'd  it  in  [D.  in  facd.] 
poach'd  eggs,  that  escap'd  from  the  vex*d 
cook,  who  wateh'd  the  spie'd  food  with 
arch'd  brow,  tripp'd  his  ciisp'd  feet,  and 
dash'd  them  on  the  mash'd  hearth;  she  pip'd 
and  wisp"d  a  tune  for  the  wateh'd  thief  who 
jump'd  into  the  sack'd  pan,  and  scralch'd 
his  blanch'd  face,  which  eclipsed  the  chaf  'd 
horse,  that  was  attach'd  and  wrapp'd  for  a 
tax'd  scape-grace. 

93.  To  read  and  speak  with  ease,  accu- 
racy, and  effect,  are  great  accomplishments  ; 
as  elegant  and  dignified  as  they  are  useful, 
and  important,  litany  covet  the  art,  but 
few  are  willing  to  make  the  necessary  ap- 
plication: and  this  makes  good  readers  and 
speakers,  so  very  rare.  Success  depends, 
principally,  on  the  student's  own  exertions, 
uniting  correct  theory  with  faithful  practice. 

94.  Irregulars.  T — generally  has  this 
sound ;  the  lit-tle  tat-\er  tit-tared  at  the 
laste-t\i\  tea-pot,  and  caught  a  tempt-'mg 
rar-tar  by  his  sa-Ji-e-ty ;  the  stout  Ti-taa 
took  a  tell-tale  fer-ma-gant  and  thrust  her 
against  the  tol-ter-ing  tow-ers,  for  twist-'xng 
the  frit-lets  ;  Ti-tus  takes  the  pei-u-lent 
owt-casts,  and  tos-ses  them  into  na-ture's 
pas-tures  with  the  tur-t\es ;  the  guests  of 
the  hosts  at-tract  a  great  deal  of  at-/era-tion, 
and  stt6-sti-tute  their  pre-texts  for  tem- 
pests ;  the  roi'-et-ous  part-ner,  des-ti-tute  of 
fort-une,  states  that  when  the  steed  is  stol- 
en, he  shuts  the  sta-ble  door,  lest  the  grav- 
i-ty  of  his  ro-tun-d\-iy  tip  his  tac-tics  into 
non-e«-ti-ty. 

When  a  twister,  a  twisting,  will  twist  him  a  twist, 
For  twisting  his  twist,  he  three  twmes  dnth  intwist ; 
Bat  if  one  of  the  twines  of  the  twist  do  untwist, 
The  twine  that  untwisteth  untwisteth  the  twist. 

riotes.  1.  This  dento-lingual  sound  may  be  made  by 
whispering  the  imaginary  word  tuh,  (short  u)  the  tongue  being 
pressed  against  the  upper  front  teeth,  and  then  suddenly  removed, 
as  indicated  by  the  engraving.  2.  T  is  silent  when  preceded  by 
*,  and  followed  by  the  abbreviated  terminations  en,  It.  Apostle, 
glisten,  fasten,  epistle,  often,  castle,  pestle,  soften,  whistle,  chasten, 
bosfle,  christen;  in  eclat,  bit-lef-doux,  debut,  hauf-boy,  currants, 
de-pot,  hoyler,  mnrtgage,  Christmas,  Tmojus,  and  the  first  t,  in 
chest-nut  and  mis-fle-toe.  3.  The  adjectives,  blessed,  cursed,  Sic. 
are  exceptions  to  the  rule  for  pronouncing  d.  4.  Consonants  are 
sometimes  double  in  their  pronunciation,  although  not  found  in 
the  name  spelling;  pit-ied,  (pit-ted,)  river,  (riv-var,)  mon-ey 
(mon-ney,)  etc.  Beware  of  chewing  your  words,  as  vir-chu, 
na-chure,  etc. 

Self— alone,  in  nature  rooted  fast, 
Attends  us— first,  and  leaves  us — last 
6 


Proverbs.  1.  None  of  you  know  where  the 
shoe  pinches.  2.  One  may  live  and  learn.  3. 
Remember  the  reckoning.  4.  Such  as  the  tree  is, 
such  is  the  fruit.  5.  The  biggest  korses  are  not 
the  best'  travelers.  6.  What  cannot  be  cured, 
must  be  endured.  7.  You  cannot  catch  old  birds 
with  chaff.  8.  Argument — seldom  convinces  any 
one,  contrary  to  his  inclinations.  9.  A  horse — is 
neither  better,  nor  worse,  for  his  trappings.  10. 
Content — is  the  philosopher's  stone,  that  turns  all 
it  touches  into  gold.  11.  Never  sport,  with  the 
opinions  of  others.     12.  Be  prompt  in  every  thing. 

Anecdote.  President  Harrison,  in  his 
last  out-door  exercise,  was  assisting  the  gard- 
ner  in  adjusting  some  grape-vines.  The  gard- 
ner  remarked,  that  there  would  be  but  little 
use  in  trailing  the  vines,  so  far  as  any  fruit 
was  concerned ;  for  the  boys  would  come  on 
Sunday,  while  the  family  was  at  church,  and 
steal  all  the  grapes;  and  suggested  to  the 
general,  as  a  guard  against  such  a  loss,  that 
he  should  purchase  an  active  watch-dog. 
Said  the  general,  "  Better  employ  an  active 
Sabbath-school  teacher ;  a  dog  may  take  care 
of  the  grapes,  but  a  good  Sffl&bath-school 
teacher  will  take  care  of  the  grapes  and  the 
boys  too," 

Home.  Wherever  we  roam,  in  whatever 
din  tale  or  land  we  are  cast,  by  the  accidents 
of  human  life,  beyond  the  mountains  or  be- 
yond the  ocean,  in  the  legislative  halls  of  the 
Capitol,  or  in  the  retreats  and  shades  of  pri- 
vate life,  our  hearts  turn,  with  an  irresistible 
instinct,  to  the  cherished  spot,  which  ushered 
us  into  existence.  And  we  dwell,  with  de- 
lightful associations,  on  the  recollection  of 
the  streams,  in  which,  during  our  boyish 
clays,  we  bathed,  the  fountains  at  which  we 
drank,  the  piney  fields,  the  hills  and  the  val- 
leys where  we  sported,  and  the  friends,  who 
shared  these  enjoyments  with  us. 

Varieties.  1.  If  we  do  well,  shall  we  n  A 
be  accepted  ?  2.  A  guilty  conscience — para- 
lyzes the  energies  of  the  boldest  mind,  and 
enfeebles  the  stoutest  heart.  3.  Persons  in 
love,  generally  resolve— first,  and  reason  af- 
terward. 4.  All  contingencies  have  a  Prov- 
idence in  them.  5.  If  these  principles  of  El- 
ocution be  correct,  practicing  them  as  here 
taught,  will  not  make  one  formal  and  ar- 
tificial, but  natural  and  effectuous.  6.  Be 
above  the  opinion  of  the  world,  and  act  from 
your  own  sense  of  right  and  wrong.  7.  All 
christians  believe  the  soul  of  man  to  be  im- 
mortal :  if,  then,  the  souls  of  all,  who  have 
departed  out  of  the  body  from  this  world,  are 
in  the  spiritual  world,  what  millions  of  in- 
habitants must  exist  therein  ! 

The  man,  who  consecrates  his  powers, 
By  vigorous  effort,  and  an  honest  aim. 
At  once,  he  draws  the  sting  of  life,  and  death  ; 
He  walks  with  Nature  ;  and  her  paths — are 
peace. 


42 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


95.  Let  the  position  be  erect,  and  the  body 
balanced  on  the  foot  upon  which  you  stand: 
banish  all  care  and  anxiety  from  the  mind ; 
let  the  forehead  be  perfectly  smooth,  the 
lungs  entirely  quiescent,  and  make  every  ef- 
fort from  the.  abdominal  region.  To  expand 
the  thorax  and  become  straight,  strike  the 
palms  of  the  hands  together  before,  and  the 
backs  of  them  behind,  turning  the  thumbs 
upward :  do  all  with  a  united  action  of  the 
body  and  mind,  the  center  of  exertion  being 
in  the  small  of  the  back ;  be  in  earnest,  but 
husband  your  breath  and  strength;  breathe 
often,  and  be  perfectly  free,  easy,  indepen- 
dent, and  natural. 

96.  F  has  two  sounds:  first,  name 
sound:  FIFE  ;  off  with  the  scarf 
from  the  calf's  head ;  the  a/-fa- 
ble  buffoon,  faith-ful  to  its  gaf-  (,L 
fer,  lifts  his  wife's  fa-ther  from 
the  co/-fin,  and  puts  in  the  fret-  I F  in  FIFE-  1 
ful  cuf-ty ;  fear-M  of  the  effects,  the  fright- 
ful f  el-low  prof-fexs  his  hand-ker-chief  to  fire 
ofl  the  dan-clruff  from  thefti-M  fool's  offen- 
sixefowl-'mg-piece. 

97.  If  you  read  and  speak  slow,  and  ar- 
ticulate weW,  you  will  always  be  heard  with 
attention  ;  although  your  delivery,  in  other 
respects,  may  be  very  faulty  :  and  remem- 
ber, that  it  is  not  necessary  to  speak  very 
loud,  in  order  to  be  understood,  but  very  dis- 
tinctly, and,  of  course,  deliberately.  The 
sweeter,  and  more  musical  your  voice  is,  the 
better,  and  the  farther  you  may  be  heard, 
the  more  accurate  will  be  your  pronuncia- 
tion, and  with  the  more  pleasure  and  profit 
will  you  be  listened  to. 

98.  Irregulars,  Gh  and  Ph  frequently 
have  this  sound;  Phil-ip  Brough,  laugh'd 
enough  at  the  phantoms  of  the  her-majih-ro- 
dite  phi-fos-o-phy,  to  make  the  nymph  Saph- 
i-ra  have  a  pht  his-i-c3.1  hic-cough ;  the  ser- 
aph's draught  of  the  proph-e-cy  was  lith-o- 
graph'd  for  an  eph-a.  of  phos-pho-res-ent 
naph-tlm,  and  a  spher-i-cal  trough  of  tough 
phys-ic. 

Notes.  1.  To  mike  this  dento-labial  aspirate,  press  the 
under  lip  against  the  upper  fore  teeth,  as  seen  in  the  engraving, 

and  blow  out  the  first  sound  of  the  word/ ire!    2.  Gh,  are 

wlent  in  drought,  burrougVi,  nigA,  high,  brought,  dough,  flight, 
tic;  and  Ph  and  h  in  pfttAis-i-cal.  3.  The  difficulty  of  applying 
ruUs,  to  the  pronunciation  of  our  language,  may  be  illustrated  by 
th^;  two  following  lines,  where  ough  is  pronounced  in  different 
ways ;  as  o,  ujf,  off,  ow,  oo,  and  ccfe.  Though  the  tough  cough 
and  hiccough  plough  me  through,  O'er  life's  dark  lough  my  course 
I  will  pursue. 

Anecdole.  Natural  Death.  An  old  man, 
who  had  been  a  close  observer  all  his  life, 
when  dangerously  sick,  was  urged  by  his 
friends,  to  take  advice  of  a  quack;  but  objec- 
ted, saying, — "I  wish  to  die  a  natural 
death." 

The  patient  mind,  by  yielding — overcomes. 


Proverbs,  1.  Hope — is  a  good  breakfast,  but 
a  bad  supper.  2.  It  is  right  to  put  every  thing  to 
its  proper  use.  3.  Open  confession — is  good  for 
the  soul.  4.  Pride — must  have  a  fall.  5.  The 
lower  mill-stone — grinds  as  well  as  the  vpper 
one.  6.  Venture  not  all  in  one  vessel.  7.  What 
one  ardently  desires,  he  easily  believes.  8.  Yield- 
ing—is sometimes  the  best  way  of  succeeding. 
9.  A  man  that  breaks  his  word,  bids  others  be 
false  to  him.  10.  Amendment — is  repentance .  11. 
There  is  nothing  useless  to  a  person  of  sense. 
12.  The  hand  of  the  diligent— maketh  rich. 

Patience  and  Perseverance.    Let  any 

one  consider,  with  attention,  the  structure 
of  a  common  engine  to  raise  water.  Let 
him  observe  the  intricacy  of  the  machinery, 
and  behold  in  what  vast  quantities  one  of 
the  heaviest  elements  is  forced  out  of  its 
course  ;  and  then  let  him  reflect  how  many 
experiments  must  have  been  tried  in  vain, 
how  many  obstacles  overcome,  before  a  frame 
of  such  wonderful  variety  in  its  parts,  could 
have  been  successfully  put  together  :  after 
which  consideration  let  him  pursue  his  en- 
terprise with  hope  of  success,  supporting 
the  spirit  of  industry,  by  thinking  how  much 
may  be  done  by  patience  and  perseverance. 

Varieties.  Was  the  last  war  with  Eng- 
land— justifiable?  2.  In  every  thing  you 
undertake,  have  some  definite  object  in  mind. 

3.  Persons  of  either  sex — may  captivate,  by 
assuming  a  feigned  character;  but  when  the 
deception  is  found  out,  disgrace  and  unhap- 
pinesswill  be  the  consequences  of  the  fraud, 

4.  All  truths — are  the  forms  of  heavenly 
loves  ;  and  all  falsities — are  the  forms  of  in- 
fernal  loves.  5.  While  we  co-operate  with 
Nature,  we  cannot  labor  too  much — for  the 
development  and  perfection  of  body  and 
mind,-  but  when  we  force  or  contradict  her, 
so  far  from  mending  and  improving  "the 
human  form  divine,'"  we  actually  degrade 
it  below  the  brute.  6.  How  ridiculous  some 
people  make  themselves  appear,  by  giving 
their  opinions  for  or  against  a  thing,  with 
which  they  are  unacquainted  !  7.  The  law 
of  God  is  divine  and  eternal,  and  no  person 
has  a  right  to  alter,  add,  or  diminish,  one 
word:  it  must  speak  for  itself,  and  stand  by 
itself. 

Who  needs  a  teacher — to  admonish  him,  [mist  ? 
That  flesh— is  grass?  That  earthly  things— are 
What  are  our  joys — but  dreams  ?  and  what  our 
But  goodly  shadows  in  the  summer  tloud  1  [hopes, 
There's  not  a  wind  that  blows,  but  bears  with  it 
Some  rainbow  promise.  Not  a  moment  flies, 
But  puts  its  sickle— in  the  fields  of  life,  [cares. 
And  mows  its  thousands,  with  their  joys  and 

Our  early  days  '.—How  often— back 
We  turn— on  Life's  bewildering  track, 
To  where,  o'er  hill,  and  valley,  plays 
The  sunlight  of  our  early  days  ! 
A  monkey,  to  reform  the  times, 
Resolved  to  visit  foreign  climes- 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


43 


99.  He  who  attempts  to  make  an  inroad 
on  the  existing  stale  of  things,  though  evi- 
dently for  the  belter,  will  find  a  few  to  en- 
courage and  assist  him,  in  effecting  a  use- 
ful reform  ;  and  many  who  will  treat  his 
honest  exert  ions  with  resentment  and  con- 
tempt, and  cling  to  their  old  errors  with  a 
fonder  pertinacity,  the  more  vigorous  is  the 
effort  to  tear  them  from  their  arms.  There 
is  more  hope  of  a  fool,  than  of  one  wise  in 
his  own  conceit. 

100.  The  second  sound  of  F,  is  that 
of  V:  OF;  (?iever  off,  noruv;) 

there-oi  here-o/,  where-oi;    the     >^^\^\ 
only  words  in  our  language,  in  /4s£2^>\ 
which   F,   has   this   sound:  a  (Cj~^j) 
piece  of  cake,  not  a    piece-u- 
cake,  nor  a  piece-ur-cake.  t F  m  0F- 1 

101.  Muscle  Breakers.  Thou  waft'd'st 
the  rickety  skiff  over  the  mountain  height 
cliffs,  and  clearly  saw'st  the  full  orb'd  moon, 
in  whose  silvery  and  effulgent  light,  thou 
reef'd'st  the  haggled  sails  of  the  ship- wreck- 
ed vessel,  on  the  rock-bound  coast  of  Kam- 
scat-ka.  He  was  an  unamiable,  disrespect- 
ful, incommunicative,  disinge7tuous,  formi- 
dable, unmanageable,  intolerable  and  pusi- 
/animous  old  bachelor.  Get  the  latest 
amended  edition  of  Charles  Smith's  Thu- 
cyd-i-des,  and  study  the  colonist's  best  in- 
terests. 

103.  Irregulars.  V  has  this  vocal  aspi- 
rate ;  also  Pli  in  a  few  words ;  my  vain  neph- 
ew, Ste-phen  Va?i-de-ver,  be-lieves  Fe-nus 
a  ves-tal  vir-gin,  who  tuu-i-fies  his  shiv-er- 
ed  liv-er,  and  im-proves  his  vel-y&t  voice, 
so  as  to  speak  with  viw-id  viv-ac-i-ty  ;  the 
brave  chev-a-Zier  be-haves  like  a  uoZ-a-tile 
con-ser-va-tive,  and  says,  he  loves  white 
wine  «ji?i-e-gar  with  veal  w'ct-uals  every 
warm  day  in  the  vo-ca\  vales  of  Vu-co-var. 

103.  Faults  in  articulation,  early  con- 
tracted, are  suffered  to  gain  strength  by  hab- 
it, and  grow  so  inveterate  by  time,  as  to  be 
almost  incurable.  Hence,  parents  should 
assist  their  children  to  pronounce  correctly, 
in  their  first  attempts  to  speak,  instead  of 
permitting  them  to  pronounce  in  a  faulty 
manner:  but  some,  so  far  from  endeavoring 
to  correct  them,  encourage  them  to  go  on  in 
their  baby  talk  ;  thus  cultivating  a  vicious 
mode  of  articulation.  Has  wisdom  fled  from 
men  ;  or  was  she  driven  away  ? 

Notes.  I.  This  diphthongal  sound,  is  made  like  that  of  /, 
with  the  addition  of  a  voice  sound  jn  the  larynx  :  see  engraving.  2. 
A  modification  of  this  sound,  with  the  upper  lip  over-lapping  the  un- 
der Me,  and  blowing  down  on  the  chin,  gives  a  very  good  imita- 
tion of  the  humble-bee.  3.  Avoid  saying  gim  me  some,  for  give 
me  some;  I  haint  got  any,  for  I  have  not  got  any;  I  don't  lun"  to 
go;  for,  I  don't  love,  (like  rather,)  to  go;  you'll  haffXo  do  it;  for 
you  will  have  to  do  it 

What  is  a  man, 
If  his  chief  good  and  market  of  his  time, 
Be  but  to  sleep  and  feed  ?    A  beast,  no  more.    Sure, 
He,  th't  made  us,  with  such  large  discourse, 
Looking  before,  and  after,  gave  us  not 
That  capability — and  <rod-\ike  reason, 
To  rust  in  us— unused. 


Proverbs.  1.  A  good  cause  makes  a  stout 
heart,  and  a  strong  arm.  2.  Better  ten  guilty 
persons  escape,  than  one  innocently  suffer.  3. 
Criminals— are  punished,  that  crime  may  be  pre- 
vented. 4.  Drunkenness — turns  a  man  out  of 
himself,  and  leaves  a  beast  in  his  room.  .">.  He 
that  goes  to  church,  with  an  evil  intention,  goes 
on  the  devil's  errand.  6.  Most  things  have  han- 
dles ;  and  a  wise  man  takes  hold  of  the  best.  7. 
Our  flatterers — are  our  most  dangerous  enemies  ; 
yet  they  are  often  in  our  own  bosom.  8.  Pover- 
ty— makes  a  man  acquainted  with  strange  Jed- 
fellows.  9.  Make  yourself  all  honey,  and  the 
flies  will  be  sure  to  devour  you.  10.  Many  talk 
like  philosophers,  and  live  like  fools.  11.  A  stitch 
in  time — saves  nine.  12.  The  idle  man's  head,  is 
the  devil's  workshop. 

Anecdote.  School  master  and  pupil.  A 
school  master — asked  a  boy,  one  very  cold 
winter  morning,  what  was  the  Latin — for 
the  word  cold:  at  which  the  boy  hesitated, 
— saying,  I  have  it  at  my  finger's  ends. 

Ourselves  and  Others.  That  man — 
deserves  the  thanks  of  his  country,  who  con- 
nects with  his  own — the  good  of  others. 
The  philosopher — enlightens  the  world  ; 
the  manufacturer — employs  the  needy  ,■  and 
the  merchant — gratifies  the  rich,  by  procu- 
ring the  varieties  of  every  clime.  The  mi- 
ser, altho'  he  may  be  no  burden  on  society, 
yet,  thinking  only  of  himself,  affords  no  one 
else — either  profit,  or  pleasure.  As  it  is  not 
of  any  one — to  have  a  very  large  share  of 
happiness,  that  man  will,  of  course,  have  the 
largest  portion,  who  makes  himself — a  part- 
ner in  the  happiness  of  others.  The  benev- 
olent— are  sharers  in  every  one's  joys. 

Varieties.  1.  Ought  not  the  study  of  our 
language  be  made  part  of  our  education  ? 

2.  He  who  is  slowest  in  making  a  promise,  is 
generally  the  most  faithful  in  performing  it. 

3.  They  who  are  governed  by  reason,  need 
no  other  motive  than  the  goodness  of  a  thing, 
to  induce  them  to  practice  it.  4.  A  reading 
people — will  become  a  thinking  people ;  and 
then  they  are  capable  of  becoming  a  ration- 
al and  a  great  people.  5.  The  happiness  of 
every  one — depends  more  on  the  state  of  his 
own  mind,  than  on  any  external  circum- 
stance; nay,  more  than  all  external  things 
put  together.  6.  There  is  no  one  so  despica- 
ble, but  may  be  able,  in  some  way,  and  at 
some  time,  to  revenge  our  impositions.  7. 
Desire — seeks  an  end  .-  the  nature  of  the  de- 
sire, love  and  life,  may  be  known  by  its  end. 

When  lowly  Merit — feels  misfortune's  blow, 

And  seeks  relief  from  penury  and  wo, 

Hope  tills  with  rapture — every  generous  heart, 

To  share  its  treasures,  and  its  hopes  impart  ; 

As,  rising  o'er  the  sordid  lust  of  gold, 

It  shows  the  impress — of  a  heavenly  mould  ! 

Whose  nature  is — so  far  from  doing  harm, 
That  he  suspects  none. 


44 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


[G  in  GEM.] 


104.  In  all  schools,  one  leading  object 
should  be,  to  teach  the  science  and  art  of 
reading  and  speaking  with  effect :  they  ought, 
indeed,  to  occupy  seven-fold  more  time  than 
at  present.  Teachers  should  strive  to  improve 
themselves,  as  well  as  their  pupils,  and  feel, 
that  to  them  are  committed  the  future  orators 
of  our  country.  A  first-rate  reader  is  much 
more  useful  than  a  first-rate  performer  on  a 
piano,  or  any  other  artificial  instrument. 
Nor  is  the  voice  of  song  sweeter  than  the 
voice  of  eloquence:  there  may  be  eloquent 
readers,  as  well  as  eloquent  speakers. 

105.  G  lias  three  sounds :  first,  name 
sound,  or  that  of  J,  before  e,  i, 
and  y,  generally  :  GEM ;  Gen-er- 
al  Ghent,  of  gi-ant  ge-nius,  sug- 
gests that  the  o-rig-i-nal  mag-ic 
of  the  f rag-He  gip-scy  has  gen- 
er-a-ted  the  gen-e-«Z-o-gy  of  Geor- 
gi-um  Si-dus;  the  geor-gics  of  George  Ger- 
man are  ex-ag-er-a-ted  by  the  pan-e-g^/r-ics 
of  the  Zog-i-cal  ser-geant ;  Ay-dro-gen,  og-y- 
gen  and  gi??g-seng,  ger-min-ate  gen-teel  gin- 
ger-bread for  the  o-rig-i-nal  ab-o-rig-i-nes  of 
Ge-we-va. 

106.  It  is  of  the  first  importance,  that  the 
reader,  speaker  and  singer  be  free  and  unre- 
strained in  his  manner;  so  as  to  avoid  using 
the  chest  as  much  as  possible,  and  also  of 
being  monotonous  in  the  flow  of  his  words : 
thus,  there  will  be  perfect  correspondence — 
of  the  feelings,  thoughts  and  actions.  Look 
out  upon  Nature;  all  is  free,  varied,  and  ex- 
pressive ;  such  should  be  our  delivery.  Na- 
.ure — abhors  monotony,  as  much  as  she  does 
a  racuum. 

107.  Irregulars.  J  generally  has  this 
sound.  The  )e-june  judge  just-\y  jeal-ous 
of  Ju-lia's  joy,  joined  her  to/u-ba  James  in 
June  or  July;  theju-ryjus-ti-fy  the  joke, in 
jerkring  the  j'ave-lin  of  J"«-pi-ter  from  the 
jol-ly  Jes-u-it,  and  jam-mmg  it  into  the  jov- 
i-al  Jew,  to  the  j'eop-ar-dy  of  the  jeer-'mg 
jock-ey. 

Notes.  1.  This  triphthongal  sound,  as  are  most  of  the  other 
vocal  consonants,  is  composed  of  a  vocal  and  aspirate.  To  make 
it,  compress  the  teeth,  and  begin  to  pronounce  the  word  judge, 
very  loud ;  and  when  you  have  made  a  sound,  e.  i.  got  to  the  u, 
stop  instantly,  and  you  will  perceive  the  proper  sound ;  or  be- 
gin to  pronounce  the  letter  g,  but  put  no  e  to  it:  see  engraving. 
2.  The  three  sounds,  of  which  litis  is  composed,  are  that  of  the 
name  sound  of  d,  and  those  of  e,  and  h,  combined.  3.  Bnath  as 
well  as  voice  sounds,  may  be  arrested,  or  allowed  to  escape,  ac- 
cording to  the  nature  of  the  sound  to  be  produced. 

Anecdote.  A  pedlar — overtook  another 
of  his  tribe  on  the  road,  and  thus  accosted 
him :  "  Hallo,  friend,  what  do  you  carry  ?" 
"  Rum  and  Whisky," — was  the  prompt  re- 
ply. "  Good,"  said  the  other ;  "  you  may  go 
ahead;  I  carry  gravestones." 

The  quiet  sea, 
Th't,  like  a  giant,  resting  from  his  toil, 
Sleeps  in  the  morning  sun. 


Proverhs.  1.  He  that  seeks  trouble,  it  were 
a  pity  he  should  miss  it.  2.  Honor  and  ea.se— are 
seldom  bed-fe\\o\vs.  3.  It  is  a  miserable  sight  to 
see  a  poor  man  proud,  and  a  rich  man  avaricious. 
4.  One  cannot  fly  without  icings.  5.  The  fairest 
rose  at  last  is  withered.  6.  The  best  evidence  of 
a  clegyman's  usefulness,  is  the  holy  lives  of  his 
parishoners.  7.  We  are  rarely  so  unfortunate. 
or  so  happy,  as  we  think  we  are.  8.  A  friend  in 
need,  is  a  friend  indeed.  9.  Bought  wit  is  the 
best,  if  not  bought  too  dear.  10.  Disputations — 
leave  truth  in  the  middle,  and  the  parties  at  both 
ends.  11.  We  must  do  and  live.  12.  A  diligent 
pen  supplies  many  thoughts. 

Authority  and  Truth.     Who  has  not 

observed  how  much  more  ready  mankind  are 
to  bow  to  the  authority  of  a  name,  than 
yield  to  the  evidence  of  truth?  However 
strong  and  incontestible — the  force  of  rea- 
soning, and  the  array  of  facts  of  an  individ- 
ual, who  is  unknown  to  fame,  a  slavish  world 
— will  weigh  and  measure  him  by  the  obscu- 
rity of  his  name.  Integrity,  research,  sci- 
ence, philosophy,  fact,  truth,  and  goodness — 
are  no  shield  against  ridicule,  and  misrepre- 
sentation. Now  this  is  exceedingly  humilia- 
ting to  the  freed  mind,  and  shows  the  great 
necessity  of  looking  at  the  truth  itself  for  the. 
evidence  of  truth.  Hence,  we  are  not  to  be- 
lieve what  one  says,  because  he  says  it,  but 
because  we  see  that  it  is  true  :  this  course  is 
well  calculated  to  make  us  independent  rea- 
soners,  speakers,  and  writers,  and  constitute 
us,  as  we  were  designed  to  be — freemen,  in 
feeling,  thought  and  act. 

Varieties.  1.  How  long  was  it,  from  the 
discovery  of  America,  in  1492,  by  Columbus. 
to  the  commencement  of  the  Revolutionary 
War,  in  1775?  2.  Most  of  our  laws  would 
never  have  had  an  existence,  if  evil  actions 
had  not  made  them  necessary.  3.  The  grand 
secret — of  never  failing — in  propriety  of 
deportment,  is  to  have  an  intention — of  al- 
ways doing  what  is  right.  4.  Only  that, 
which  is  sown  here,  will  be  reap'd  hereafter. 
5.  Is  there  more  than  one  God  ?  6.  The  hu- 
man race  is  so  connected,  that  the  well  inten- 
tioned  efforts  of  each  individual — are  never 
lost;  but  are  propagated  to  the  mass;  so 
that  what  one — may  ardently  desire,  another 
— may  resolutely  endeavor,  and  a  third,  or 
tenth,  may  actually  accomplish.  7.  AH 
thought  is  dependent  on  the  trill,  or  volun- 
tary principle,  and  takes  its  quality  there- 
from :  as  is  the  trill,  such  is  the  thought ;  for 
the  thought — is  the  trill,  in  form  ;  and  the 
state  of  the  will — may  be  known  by  that 
form. 

Go  abroad,  upon  the  paths  of  JVature.  and  when 
Its  voices  whisper,  and  its  silent  things  [all 

Are  breathing  the  deep  beauty  of  the  world, 
Kneel  at  its  simple  altar,  and  the  Ood, 
Who  hath  the  living  waters— shall  be  there. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


45 


10S.  Elocution — is  not,  as  some  errone- 
ously suppose,  an  art  of  something  artificial 
in  tones,  looks  and  gestures,  that  may  be 
learned  by  imitation.  The  ])rinciples  teach 
us — to  exhibit  truth  and  nature  dressed  to 
advantage:  its  objects  are,  to  enable  the  rea- 
der, and  speaker,  to  manifest  his  thoughts, 
and  feelings,  in  the  most  pleasing,  perspic- 
uous,and  forcilde  manner,  so  as  to  charm  the 
affections,  enlighten  the  understanding,  and 
leave  the  deepest,  and  most  permanent  im- 
pression, on  the  mind  of  the  attentive  hearer. 

109.  The  second  sound  of  G,  is  hard, 
or  gutter al,  before  a,  o,  u,  l,r,  , 
and  often  before  e,  and  i  ,•  also,  ^7jL  \ 
at  the  end  of  monosyllables,  and 
sometimes  at  the  end  of  dissyl- 
lables, and  their  preceding  sylla- 
bles. GAME;  a  giddy  goose  LGiaGAME.] 
got  a  ci-gar,  and  gave  it  to  a  gan-grene  beg- 
gar .•  Scrog-gins,  of  2?ro?>-dig-nag,  growls 
over  his  green-glass  gog-gles,  which  the  big 
ne-gro  gath-er-ed  from  the  bog-gy  quag-mire; 
a  gid-dy  gig-gling  girl  glides  into  the  grog- 
ge-ry,  and  gloats  over  the  gru-el  in  the  great 
pig-gin  of  the  rog--ged  grand-mother,  ex- 
claim-ing,  dig  or  beg,  the  game  is  gone. 

110.  Foreigners  and  natwes  may  derive 
essential  aid  from  this  system  of  mental  and 
vocal  philosophy •,  enabling  them  to  read  and 
speak  the  language  correctly ;  which  they 
most  certainly  ought  to  do,  before  they  are 
employed  in  our  schools  :  for  whatever  chil- 
dren learn,  they  should  learn  correctly.  Good 
teachers  are  quite  as  necessary  in  the  pri- 
mary school,  as  in  the  Academy  or  College :  at 
least,  so  thought  Philip,  king  of  Macedon, 
when  he  sent  his  son  Alexander  to  Aristotle, 
the  great  philosopher,  to  learn  his  letters  : 
and  Alexander  says,  he  owed  more  to  his 
teacher,  than  to  his  father. 

111.  Irregulars.  Gh,  in  a  few  words, 
has  this  sound  :  tho',  strictly  speaking,  the  h 
is  silent.  The  ghast-ly  bur-gher  stood  a- 
ghust  to  see  the  ghost  of  the  ghyll,  eat  the 
ghas-Uy  gher-kins  in  the  ghos-tly  burgh. 
They  are  silent  in — the  neigA-bors  tauJ-At 
their  daug-A-ters  to  plougA  with  de-ligAt, 
though  they  caught  a  fur-loug-A ;    &c. 

3ToteS.  1.  This  vocal  sound  is  made,  by  pressing  the  roots 
ol  the  tongue  against  the  uvula,  so  as  to  close  the  throat,  and  beginning 
.  .'■  ithout  the  o;  the  sound  is  intercepted  lower  down  than 
'hat  of  first  d,  and  the  jaw  dropped  more :  observe  also  the  vocal 
'  B  ;  the  Bound  is  finished,  however,  in  this,  as  in  all  oth- 
er instances  of  making  the  vocal  consonants,  by  the  organs  re- 
suming their  natural  position,  either  for  another  effort,  or  for 
silence.  2.  If  practice  enables  persons  with  half  the  usual  num- 
ber of  (infers  to  accomplish  whatever  manual  labor  they  under- 
take ;  think,  how  much  may  be  done  in  this  art,  by  those  who  pos- 
sess their  vocal  organs  complete,  provided  they  pursue  the  course 
here  indicated, — there  is  nothing  like  these  vocal  gymnastics. 

'Tis  autumn.     Many,  and  many  a  fleeting  age 
Hath  faded,  since  the  primal  morn  of  Time  ; 
And  silently  the  slowlyjourneying  years, 
All  redolent  of  countless  seasons,  pass. 


112.  Freedom  of  Thought-  Beware 
of  pinning  your  faith  to  another's  sleeve — of 
forming  your  own  opinion  entirely  on  that 
of  another.  Strive  to  attain  to  a  modest  inde- 
■■■  of  mind,  and  keep  clear  of  leading - 
strings:  follow  no  one,  where  you  cannot 
sre  the  road,  in  which  you  are  desired  to 
tvalk :  otherwise,  you  will  have  no  confidence 
in  your  own  judgment,  and  will  become  a 
changeling  all  your  days.  Remember  the 
old  adage — "  let  every  tub  stand  on  its  own 
bottom  /"  And,  "  never  be  the  mere  shadow 
of  another." 

Proverbs.  1.  He  dies  like  a  beast,  who  has 
done  no  good  while  he  lived.  2.  'Tis  a  base 
thing  to  betray  a  man,  because  he  trusted  you.  3 
Knaves — imagine  that  nothing  can  be  done  with- 
out knavery.  4.  He  is  not  a  wise  man,  who  pays 
more  for  a  thing  than  it  is  worth.  5.  Learning — 
is  a  sceptre  to  some,  and  a  bauble — to  others.  6. 
JVo  tyrant  can  take  from  you  your  knowledge.  7. 
Only  that  which  is  honestly  got — is  true  gain. 
8.  Pride — is  as  loud  a  beggar  as  want  ;  and  a 
great  deal  more  saucy.  9.  That  is  a  bad  child, 
that  goes  like  a  top ;  no  longer  than  it  is  whip- 
ped. 10.  It  is  hard  for  an  empty  bag  to  stand  up- 
right. 11.  Learn  to  bear  disappointment  cheer- 
fully.   12.  Eradicate  your  prejudices. 

Anecdote.  A  sharp  Eye.  A  witness, 
during  the  assizes,  at  York,  in  England, 
after  several  ineffectual  attempts  to  go  on 
with  his  story,  declared,  "he  could  not 
proceed  in  his  testimony,  if  Mr.  Brougham 
did  not  take  his  eyes  off  from  him." 

Varieties.  1.  Which  does  society  the 
most  injury,  the  robber,  the  slanderer,  or  the 
murderer?  2.  In  every  period  of  life,  ourtal- 
e?its  may  be  improved,  and  our  mind  expan- 
ded by  education.  3.  The  mind  is  powerful, 
in  proportion  as  it  possesses  powerful  truths, 
reduced  to  practice.  4.  Give  not  the  meats 
and  drinks  of  a  man,  to  a  child  ;  for  how 
should  they  do  it  good  ?  5.  A  proverb,  well 
applied  at  the  end  of  a  phrase,  often  makes 
a  very  happy  conclusion  :  but  beware  of 
using  such  sentences  too  often.  6.  Extrav- 
agant— and  misplaced  eulogiums — neither 
honor  the  one,  who  bestows  them,  nor  the 
person,  who  rectives  them.  7.  Apparent 
truth — has  its  use,  but  genuine  t  •  th  a 
greater  use:  and  hence,  it  is  the  p*-«.  of 
wisdom — to  seek  it. 

Tis  midnight's  holy  hour — and  silence  now 

Is  brooding,  like  a  gentle  Spirit,  o'er 

The  still  and  pulseless  world.    Hark  !  on  the  wind. 

The  brfTs  deep  tones  are  swelling, — 'tis  the  kneU 

Of  the  departed  year.     No  funeral  train 

Is  sweeping  past, — yet,  on  the  stream,  and  wood. 

With  melancholy  light,  the  moonbeams  rest, 

Like  a  pale,  spoUess  shroud, — the  air  is  stirred, 

As  by  a  mourner's  sigh — and  on  yon  cloud, 

That  floats  on  still  and  placidly  through  heaven, 

The  Spirits — of  the  Seasons — seem  to  stand ; 

Young  Spring,  bright  Summer,  Autumn's  solemn  form, 

And  printer,  with  his  aged  locks,  and  breathe, 

In  mournful  cadences,  that  come  abroad 

Like  the  far  un'rui-harp's  wild  and  touching  wail, 

A  melancholy  dirge — o'er  the  dead  year — 

Cone,  from  the  Earth,  forever. 


46 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


113.  These  principles  of  oratory — are 
well  calculated  to  accustom  the  mind  to  the 
closest  investigation  and  reasoning  ;  thus, 
affording  a  better  discipline  for  the  scientific, 
rational,  and  affectuous  faculties  of  the  mind, 
than  even  the  stud}'  of  the  mathematics:  for 
the  whole  man  is  here  addressed,  and  all  his 
mental  powers,  and  all  his  acquirements,  are 
called  into  requisition.  This  system  is  a 
fiery  ordeal ;  and  those  who  pass  through  it, 
under  standingly,  and  practically,  will  come 
out  purified  as  by  fire:  it  solves  difficulties, 
and  leads  the  mind  to  correct  conclusions, 
respecting  what  one  is  to  do,  and  what  one 
is  not  to  do. 

114.  The  third  sound  of  G  is  that  of 
Zh;    which,  tho'  common  to  s 

and  z,  is  derived  to  this   letter       ^>L  J*s 
from  the  French;    or,    perhaps    /,   -Jl     A 
we    should   say,    the    words  in  /C*SB^, 
which    G  has   this    sound,  are  ^    —    J 
French   words    not    Anglicised  ,G  in  ROcge.i 
— or  made  into  English.     The 
pro-te-ge  (pro-ta-zAa,  a  person  protected,  or 
patronized,)  during  his  bad-e-«age,  (bad-e- 
nazh,  light  or  playful  discourse,)  in  the  me- 
7iag--e-ry,  (a  place  for  the  collection  of  wild 
animals,  or  their  collection,)  on  the  mi-rage, 
(me-razh,  an  optical  illusion,  presenting  an 
image  of  water  in  sandy  deserts,)  put  rouge, 
(roozh,  red  paint  for  the  face,)  on  the  char- 
g-e-d'af-fair,  (shar-asAa-dif-fare,  an  ambassa- 
dor, or  minister  of  secondary  rank.) 

115.  This  work  informs  the  pupil,  as  the 
master  workman  does  the  apprentice  :  it 
teaches  the  principles,  or  rules,  and  the  way 
to  apply  them  ;  and  when  they  are  thus  ap- 
plied to  practice,  he  has  no  more  use  for 
them  :  indeed,  its  rules  and  directions  serve 
him  the  same  purpose  as  the  guide-post 
does  the  traveler;  who,  after  visiti?ig  the 
place,  towards  which  it  directs,  has  no  fur- 
tin  t  need  of  of  it. 

116.  Irregulars.  5  often  has  this  sound, 
and  Z,  generally.  The  az-ure  ad-Ae-sion  to 
the  am-oro-sial  en-cZo-sures  is  a  ro-se-ate 
treas-ure  of  vis-ions  of  pleas-ures ;  the  sei- 
zure of  the  »t2-ier's  en-Z7iw-si-asm  is  an  in- 
tia-sion  of  the  o-Za-zier's  di-tri-sions  of  the 
scissors ;  the  Ao-sier  takes  the  ora-zier's 
cro-sier  with  a-ora-sions  and  cor-ro-sionsby 
ex-po-sure,  and  Zreas-ures  it  up  without  e- 
Zis-ions. 

.Votes.      1.  This  vocal  triphthongal  consonant  sound  may  be 

made,  by  placing  the  organs,  as  if  to  pronounce  sh  in  show,  and  ad- 

Miuul,  from  the  larynx;  or,  by  drawing  out  the  sound 

/    ,  zh ure.    2.  Analyze  thesesounds 

(bus  ;  give  the  first  sound  of  c,  keep  the  teeth  still  compressed,  add 
the  aspirate  of  h,  and  then  prefix  the  vocality  j  or  reverse  the  pro- 
cess. G  is  silent  in— the  na-ligii  phlegm  of  the  poig-nant  gnat,  im- 
(.regns  the  cn-sign's  dia-phragm,  and  gnaws  into  Char-le-magne's 
se-n^l-io.  m 

Anecdote.  A  considerate  lUi?aster.  A 
very  dull  clergyman,  whose  delivery  was 
monotonous  um\  uninteresting  to  his  hearers, 
putting  many  of  the  old  folks  asleep — said  to 
the  boys,  who  were  playing  in  the  gallery  ; 
"Don't  make  so  much  noise  there;  you 
will  awake  your  parents  below." 

For  me,  my  lot — was  wh.i*  I  toughi;  to  be, 
In  life,  or  death,  {he  fearless,— and  the/ree. 


Proverbs.  1.  Impudence,  and  wit,  are  vastly 
different.  2.  Keep  thy  shop,  and  thy  shop  will 
keep  thee.  3.  Listeners — hear  no  good  of  them- 
selves. 4.  Make  hay  while  the  sun  shines.  5.  An 
ounce  of  discretion  is  worth  a  pound  of  wit.  6. 
Purposing-,  without  performing,  is  mere  fooling. 

7.  Quiet    persons — are    welcome   every   where. 

8.  Some  have  been  thought  brave,  because  they 
were  afraid  to  run  away.  9.  A  liar — is  a  bravo 
towards  God,  and  a  coward  towards  men.  10. 
Without  a.  friend,  the  world  is  a  trilderness  11. 
A  young  man  idle, — an  old  man — needy.  12.  Re- 
solution, without  action,  is  a  slothful  folly. 

Reading   Rooms.      Incalculable    good 

might  be  done  to  the  present  and  the  rising 
generation,  by  the  establishment,  in  every 
town  and  village  in  our  country,  of  Public 
Reading  Rooms,  to  be  supported  by  volun- 
tary subscriplio7i:  indeed,  it  would  be  wise 
in  town  authorities  to  sustain  such  institu- 
tions of  knowledge  by  direct  taxation.  Oh! 
when  shall  we  wake  up  to  a  consideration 
of  things  above  the  mere  love  of  money-ma- 
king. 

"Varieties.  1.  Did  Napoleon — do  more 
euiZ  than  good — to  mankind?  2.  A  neces- 
sary part  of  good  manners — is  a  punctual 
observation  of  Ziffie;  whether  on  matters  of 
civility,  business,  or  pleasure.  3.  It  is  ab- 
surd— to  expect  that  your  friends  will  re- 
member you,  after  you  have  thought  proper 
to  forget  them.  4.  How  much  pain  has  bor- 
rowed trouble  cost  us.  5.  Adversity — has 
the  effect  of  eliciting  talents,  which,  in  pros- 
perous circumstances,  would  have  lain  dor- 
mant.  6.  When  the  infidel  would  persuade 
you  to  abandon  the  Bible,  tell  him  you  will, 
when  he  will  bring  you  a  better  book.  7. 
When  the  mind  becomes  persuaded  of  the 
truth  of  a  thing,  it  receives  that  thing,  and  it 
becomes  a  part  of  the  person's  life  :  what 
men  seek,  they  find. 

The  spacious  firmament — -on  high, 

With  all  the  blue  etherial  sky, 

And  spangled  heavens,  a  shining  frame, 

Their  great  original  proclaim. 

Th'  unwearied  sun — from  day  to  day, 

Does  his  Creator's  power  display  ; 

And  publishes — to  erWy  land, 

The  work — of  an  Almighty  hand. 

Soon  as  the  evening  shades  prevail, 
The  moon  takes  up  the  wond'rous  tale 
And,  nightly,  to  the  list'ning  earth, 
Repeats  the  story  of  her  birth  ; 
Whilst  all  the  stars,  that  round  her  burn, 
And  all  the  planets  in  their  turn, 
Confirm  the  tidings  as  they  roll, 
And  spread  the  truth,  from  pole  to  pole. 

What,  though,  in  solemn  silence,  all 
Move  round  the  dark  terrestrial  ball  ? 
What,  though  no  real  voice  nor  sound 
Amid  these  radiant  orbs  be  found  ? 
In  reason's  ear  they  all  rejoice, 
And  litter  forth  a  glorious  voice, 
Forever  singing,  as  they  shine, 
"  The  hand  that  made  us— is  divine." 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


47 


117.  Be  very  particular  in  pronouncing 
the  jaw,  or  wice-breakers,  and  cease  not, 
till  you  can  give  every  sound  fully,  correctly 
and  distinctly.  If  your  vocal  powers  are 
well  exercised,  by  faithful  practice  on  the 
more  difficult  combinations,  they  will  acquire 
a  facility  ot  mo  cement,  a  precision  of  action, 
a  flex  ib  Hit  y,  grace,  and  force  truly  surprising. 

118.  H  lias  bnt  one  sound,  which  is 
an  aspirate,  or  forcible  breathing 
made  in  the  glottis:  HALE 
his  high-ness  holds  high  his/ 
haugh-ty  head,  and  ex-hib-its' 
his  shrunk  shanks  to  the  ho-ly 
horde  in  the  fat-mid  hall;  the  tH  in  hale.] 
hard- heart-ed  hedge-hog,  heed-\ess  of  his 
hav-oc  of  the  /jowse-wife's  ham,  hies  him- 
self home,  hap-py  to  have  his  head,  his 
hands,  and  his  heart  whole;  the  harm-fvd 
hum-h\e-bee  har-tles  through  the  hot-hou.se, 
and  ex-horts  his  ex-haust-ed  hive-lings  to 
hold  their  Ao«sf-hold-stuff  for  a  Aoi-by-horse 
till  /wr-vest-home. 

119.  It  is  said,  that  no  description  can 
adequately  represent  Lord  Chatham :  to 
comprehend  the  force  of  his  eloquence,  it 
was  necessary  to  see  and  to  hear  him :  his 
whole  delivery  was  such,  as  to  make  the 
orator  a  part  of  his  own  eloquence:  his  mind 
was  view'd  in  his  countenance,  and  so  em- 
bodied was  it  in  his  every  look,  and  gesture, 
that  his  words  were  rather  felt  than  follow- 
ed ;  they  invested  his  hearers  ;  the  weapons 
of  his  opponents  fell  from  their  hands ;  he 
spoke  with  the  air  and  vehemence  of  inspi- 
ration, and  the  very  atmosphere  flamed 
around  him. 

120.  H  is  silent  at  the  beginning  and 
end  of  many  words.  The  Aon-est  shep- 
herd's ca-tarrfe,  /mm-bles  the  Aeir-ess  in  her 
disA-a-billes,  and  Au-mors  the  tAy-my  rAet- 
o-ric  of  his  rhymes  to  rfiap-so-dy  ;  the  7m- 
mor-some  TAom-as  ex-plained  dip/j-thongs 
and  triphthongs  to  A-o/-ja7t,  Be-ri-a/i — Ca- 
laA,  Di-na/t,  E-li-yah,  Ge-rah,  Hul-da/j,  I- 
«a-ia/i,  Jonah,  Han-nah,  Nin-e-vafi,  O-ba- 
di-ah,  Pis-gah,  Ru-mah,  Sa-rah,  Te-raA, 
Un'-a/i,  Va.-n.i-ah,  and  Ze-lah. 

Notes.  I.  This  sound  is  the  material  of  which  all  sounds 
are  made,  whether  vowel  or  consonant,  either  by  condensation, 
or  modification.  To  demonstrate  this  position,  commence  any 
sound  in  a  whisper,  and  proceed  to  a  vocality  ;  shaping  the  organs 
to  form  the  one  required,  if  a  vowel  or  vocal  consonant,  and  in  a 
proper  way  to  produce  any  of  the  aspirates.  2.  Those  who  are 
a  the  labit  of  omitting  the  h,  when  it  ought  to  be  pronounced,  can 
jiractice  on  the  preceding  and  similar  examples:  and  also  correct 
such  sentences  as  this  j  Hi  took  my  'orse  hand  went  hout  to  *unt 
my  ?ogs,  hand  got  hotf  my  'orse,  hand  'iched  im  to  a  hoak  tree, 
hand  gave  'im  some  hoats.  3.  It  requires  more  breath  to  make 
this  sound,  than  any  other  in  our  language;  as  in  producing  it, 
even  mildly,  the  lungs  are  nearly  exhausted  of  air.  It  may  be 
made  by  whisperirig  the  word  huh :  the  higher  up,  the  more  scat- 
tering, the  lower  in  the  throat,  the  more  condensed,  till  it  becomes 
vocal. 

I  am  well  aware,  that  what  is  base, 

JVo  polish — can  make  sterling — and  that  vice, 

Though  well  perfumed,  and  elegantly  dressed, 

Like  an  unburied  carcass, — trick'd  with  flowers, 

Is  but  a  garnished  nuisance, — fitter  far 

For  cleanly  riddance, — than  for  fair  attire. 


Proverbs.  1.  When  the  cat  is  away,  the 
mice  will  play.  2  One  may  be  a  wise  man,  and 
yet  not  know  how  to  make  a  watch.  3.  A  wicked 
companion  invites  us  to  hell.  4.  All  happiness 
and  misery — is  in  the  mind.  5.  A  good  conscience 
is  excellent  divinity.  6.  Bear  and  forbear — is 
good  philosophy.  7.  Drunkenness — is  a  voluntary 
madness.  8.  Envy  shoots  at  others,  and  wounds 
herself.  9.  Fools  lade  out  the  water,  and  wise 
men  catch  the  fish.  10.  Good  preachers  give 
fruits,  rather  than  flowers.  11.  Actions  are  the 
raiment  of  the  man.    12.  Faith  is  the  eye  of  love. 

Anecdote.  Frederick  the  Great,  of  Prus- 
sia, an  ardent  lover  of  literature  and  the  fine 
arts,  as  well  as  of  his  people,  used  to  rise  at 
three  or  four  o'clock  in  the  morning  to  get 
more  time  for  his  studies  ;  and  when  one  of  his 
intimate  friends  noticed  how  hard  he  work- 
ed, he  replied, — "  It  is  true,  I  do  work  hard,— 
but  it  is  in  order  to  live,-  for  nothing  has 
more  resemblance  to  death,  than  idleness  :  of 
what  use  is  it,  to  live,  if  one  only  vegetates?" 
Wrong  Choice.  How  miserable  some 
people  make  themselves,  by  a  wrong  choice, 
when  they  have  all  the  good  things  of  earth 
before  them,  out  of  which  to  choose!  If  good 
judgment  be  wanting,  neither  the  greatest 
monarch,  nor  the  repeated  smiles  of  fortune, 
can  render  such  persons  happy  ;  hence,  a 
prince — may  become  a  poor  wretch,  and  the 
peasant — completely  blessed.  To  know 
one's  self — is  the  first  degree  of  sound  judg- 
ment; for,  by  failing  rightly  to  estimate  our 
own  capacity,  we  may  undertake — not  only 
what  will  make  us  unhappy,  but  ridiculous. 
This  may  be  illustrated  by  an  unequal  mar- 
riage with  a  person,  whose  genius,  life  and 
tempei — will  blast  the  peace  of  one,  or  both, 
forever.  The  understanding,  and  not  the 
will — should  be  our  guide. 

"Varieties.  1.  What  can  the  virtues  of 
our  ancestors  profit  us,  unless  we  imitate 
them?  2.  Why  is  it,  that  we  are  so  unwilling 
to  practice  a  little  self-denial  for  the  sake  of  a 
future  good  ?  3.  The  toilet  of  woman — is  too 
often  an  altar,  erected  by  self-love — to  vanity. 
4.  Half  the  labor,  required  to  make  a  first-rate 
musician,  would  make  an  accomplished  rea- 
der and  speaker.  5.  Learn  to  unlearn  what 
you  have  learned  amiss.  6.  A  conceit  of 
knowledge — is  a  great  enemy  to  knowledge, 
and  a  great  argument  for  ignorance.  7.  Of 
pure  love,  and  pure  conception  of  truth,  we 
are  only  receivers:  God  only  is  the  giver; 
and  they  are  all  His  from  first  to  last. 

It  is  a  beautiful  belief,  that  ever — round  our  head, 

Are  hovering,  on  noisless  wing,  the  spirits  of  the  dead. 

It  is  a  beautiful  belief,  when  ended  our  career, 

That  it  will  be  our  ministry  to  watch  o'er  others  here ; 

To  lend  amoral  to  \he  floioer  ;  breathe  wisdom  on  the  wind; 

To  hold  commune,  at  night's  pure  noon,  with  the  imprison'd  mindt 

To  bid  the  mourner — cease  to  mourn,  the  trembling  be  forgiven  ; 

To  bear  avjay,  from  ills  of  clay,  the  infant — to  its  heaven. 

Ah '.  when  delight — was  found  in  life,  and  joy — in  every  breath, 

I  cannot  tell  how  terrible — the  mystery  of  death. 

But  now,  the  past  is  bright  to  me,  and  all  the  future — dear: 

For  'tis  my  faith,  that  after  death,  I  still  shall  linger  here. 


48 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


131.  Important  Remarks.  Every  pupil 
should  be  required  to  notice,  distinctly,  not 
only  all  the  specific  sounds  of  our  language, 
simple  and  compound,  but  also  the  different 
and  exact  positions  of  the  vocal  organs,  ne- 
cessary to  produce  them.  The  teacher 
should,  unyieldingly,  insist  upon  having 
these  two  things  faithfully  attended  to  :  for 
success  in  elocution,  and  music,  absolutely 
demands  it:  no  one,  therefore,  should  wish 
to  be  excused  from  a  full  and  hearty  com- 
pliance. Master  these  elementary  princi- 
ples, and  you  will  have  command  of  all  the 
mediums  for  communicating  your  thoughts 
and  feelings. 

133.  It  Has  only  one  sound,  which  is 
its   name   sound.       LAY  ;    the 
laird's  little  fool  loudly  lauds  the    /  "^i,    \ 
lil-y   white   lamb   the   live-long  Av^A 
day  ;  Zem-u-el  Zy-ell  loves  the  (   \^S^/ 
lass-lorn  ZwZ-Ia-by  of  the  la?id- 
lord's   love-ly  la-dy,    and,    with  [Lin  lay.] 
bliss-ful  <ZaZ-li-ance,  gen-teel-ly  Zis-tens  to 
the  low-\y  ZoZ-lard's  live-ly  song;   the  law- 
yer Ze-gal-ly,  and  plain-ly  tells  his  luck-less 
cli-ent,  that  he  lit-er-al-ly  re-pels  the  il-Zo°-- 
i-cal  re-ply  of  the  7»<Z-ly-fy-ing  leg-is-Za- 
tor,  who,  in  Z/s<-less  Za«-guor,  lies,  and  re- 
gales him-setf  over  the  eZ-der  blow  tea:  (not 
T-oo-t  loot.) 

133.  Pronounce  my,  you,  your,  and  that, 
when  emphatic,  with  the  vowels  full  and 
open.  My  harp  is  as  good  as  yours.  He 
told  you,  but  would  not  tell  me.  I  said  he 
was  my  friend,  not  yours.  That  man  re- 
lated that  story.  When  these  words  are  not 
emphatic,  the  sounds  of  y  and  u  axe  short- 
ened, the  o  silent,  and  u  having  its  second 
sound,  while  the  a  is  entirely  suppressed. 
My  pen  is  as  bad  as  my  paper.  How  do 
you  do  ?  Very  well ;  and  how  do  you  do  ? 
Have  you  got  your  book  ?  This  is  not  your 
book  ;  it  is  my  book.  I  said  that  you  said, 
that  you  told  him  so. 

Notes.  1.  This  vocal  lingual  dental  sound  (from  the 
larynx,  tongue  and  teeth,)  is  made  by  pressing  the  tongue  agaiust  the 
upper  gums  and  the  roof  of  the  mouth :  pronounce  the  word  lo, 
by  prolonging  the  sound  of  I;  1 o.  2.  Do  not  let  the  eye  mis- 
lead the  ear  in  the  comparison  of  sounds ;  gay  and  ghay  are 
alike  to  the  ear,  tho'  unlike  to  the  eye:  so  are  ph  in  philosophy 
and  /  in  folly :  the  same  may  be  observed  of  th  in  thine  and  thou 

3.  Never  forget  the  difference  between  the  names  of  letters,  and 
their  respective  sounds  ;  weigh  their  natures,  powers  and  qualities. 

4.  Notice  the  dissimilarity  between  the  letters  o-n-e,  and  the  word 
one  (witn ;)  also  c-i-g-h-t,  and  eight  {ate  ;)  e-n-o-u-g-h,  and  enuff. 
Is  there  not  a  better  way  ?  and  is  not  this  that  way  ?  5.  L  is  silent 
in  baftn,  saZve,  couZd,  psahn,  wouM,  chaZk,  should,  ta/k,  hai-ser 
(hawser,)  taZ-con  (/aui-k'n,)  saim-on,  foZks,  maZm-sey  (2da)  al- 
monds, &c. 

Anecdote.  One  Tongue.  Milton,  the  au- 
thor of  Paradise  Lost  and  Regained,  was  one 
day  asked,  by  a  friend  of  female  education, 
if  he  did  not  intend  to  instruct  his  daughter 
in  the  different  languages  :  "  No  Sir  „•"  re- 
plied Milton, "  one  tongue  is  sufficient  for  a 
woman. 

Ye  despots,  too  long— did  your  tyranny  hold  us 

In  a  vassalage  vile — ere  its  weakness  we  knew  ; 

But  we  learn'd,  that  the  links  of  the  chain,  that  enthraVd  us, 

Were  forg'd  by  the  fears  of  the  captive  alone. 


Proverbs.  1.  Almost,  and  very  nigh,  save 
many  a  lie.  2.  A  man  may  buy  even  gold  too 
dear.  3.  He,  that  waits  for  dead  men's  shoes, 
may  long  go  barefoot.  4.  It  is  an  ill  cause,  that 
none  dare  speak  in.  5.  If  pride  were  an  art, 
there  would  be  many  teachers.  6.  Out  of  sight, 
out  of  mind.  7.  The  whole  ocean  is  made  of 
single  drops.  8.  There  would  be  no  great  ones, 
if  there  were  no  little  ones.  9.  Things  unreason- 
able—are  never  durable.  10.  Time  and  tide  wait 
for  no  man.  11.  An  author's  writings  are  a  mir- 
ror of  his  mind.  12.  Every  one  is  architect  of 
his  own  character. 

In  the  Trnth.  How  may  a  person  be 
said  to  be  in  the  truth  ?  This  may  be  un- 
derstood, rationally,  by  a  comparison  :  we 
say — such  a  man  is  in  the  mercantile  busi- 
ness ;  by  which  we  mean,  that  his  life — is 
that  of  merchandizing,  and  is  regulated  by 
the  laws  of  his  peculiar  calling.  In  like 
manner,  we  say  of  a  christian,  that  he  is  in 
the  truth,  and  in  the  Lord,  when  he  is  in  the 
true  order  of  his  creation;  which  is — to  love 
the  Lord,  with  all  his  heart,  and  hisneighbor 
as  himself;  and  to  do  unto  others — as  he 
would  they  should  do  unto  him  :  such  a  one 
is,  emphatically,  in  the  truth,  and  the  truth 
makes  him  free;  and  this  is  the  only  freedom 
on  earth,  or  in  heaven;  and  any  overstate  is 
abject  slavery. 

Varieties.  1.  Why  is  the  L,  in  the  word 
m  ilitury,  like  a  man's  nose  1  Because,  it  is 
between  two  i  i.  2.  No  one  is  wise  at  all 
times;  because  every  one  is  finite,  and  of 
course,  imperfect.  3.  Money — is  the  servant 
of  those,  who  know  how  to  use  it ;  but  the 
master  of  those,  who  do  not.  4.  Rome — 
was  built,  753  years  before  the  christian  era,- 
and  the  Roman  empire — terminated  476 
years  after  it;  what  was  its  duration?  5. 
The  tales  of  other  times — are  like  the  calm 
dew  of  the  morning,  when  the  sun  is  faint 
on  its  side,  and  the  lake  is  settled  and  blue 
in  the  vale.  6.  As  is  the  state  of  mind,  such 
is  the  reception,  operation,  production,  and 
manifestation — of  all  that  is  received.  7. 
Ends  of  actions  show  the  quality  of  life  ; 
natural  men  ever  regard  natural  ends ;  but 
spiritual  men — spiritual  ones. 

Changing,  forever  changing ! — So  depart 

The  glories — of  the  old  majestic  wood: 

So — pass  the  pride,  and  garniture  of  fields; 

The  growth  of  ages,  and  the  bloom  of  days, 

Into  the  dust  of  centuries;  and  so — 

Are  both — renewed.    The  scattered  tribes  of  men, 

The  generations  of  the  populous  earth, 

All  have  their  seasons  too.    And  jocund  Youth 

Is  the  green  spring-time — Manhood's  lusty  strength 

Is  the  maturing  summer— hoary  Age 

Types  well  the  autumn  of  the  year — and  Death 

Is  the  real  winter,  which  forecloses  all. 

And  shall  the  forests — have  another  spring, 

And  shall  the  fields — another  garland  wear, 

And  sha.ll  the  wiyrm — come  forth,  renew'd  in  life, 

And  clothed  with  highest  beauty,  and  not  MAN  ? 

No! — in  the  Book  before  me  now,  I  read 

Another  language  ;  and  my  faith  is  sure, 

That  though  the  chains  of  death  may  hold  it  long, 

This  mortal — will  overmaster  them,  and  break 

Away,  and  put  on  immortality. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


49 


124.  Read,  and  speak,  in  such  a  Just  and 
impressive  manner,  as  will  instruct,  interest 
and  affect  your  hearers,  and  reproduce  in 
them  all  those  ideas  and  emotions,  which  you 
wish  to  convey.  Remember,  that  theory — 
is  one  thing,  arid  practice — another  ;  and  that 
there  is  a  great  difference,  between  knowing 
how  a  sentence  should  be  read  or  spoken, 
and  the  ability  to  read  or  speak  it:  theory — 
is  the  result  of  thought ;  practice — of  actual 
experience. 

125.  M  has  only  one  sound;  MAIM: 
meek  men  made  mum-mies  out 

of  gam-mon,  and  moon-beams      '^-—^A 
of  gum-my  am-/rco-ni-a,  for  a  pre-  /^^j^^N 
mi-um   on    dum-my   som-nam-  !(^  y" 

bu-lism:  mind,  maw-ners  and  [M  in  maim.] 
mag-na-mw-i-t)',  make  a  migh-ty  man,  to 
a-maZ-ga-mate  em-blems  and  wam-pum  for 
an  om-ni-um  gath-er-\im :  the  malt-man  cir- 
cum-am-bu-lates  the  cim-/?ze-ri-an  ham-mock, 
and  tum-hles  the  ;««r-mur-ing  mid-ship- 
man  into  a  /witt-i-mum  and  max-i-mum  of  a 
warn- mi-form  di-lem-ma. 

126.  Cicero  and  Demosthenes,  by  their 
tvords,  lives,  maxims,  and  practice,  show  the 
high  estimation,  in  which  they  held  the  sub- 
let of  oratory  ;  for  they  devoted  years  to  the 
study  and  practice  of  its  theory  and  art,  un- 
der the  most  celebrated  masters  of  antiquity. 
Most  of  the  effects  of  ancient,  as  well  as  of 
modern  eloquence,  may  be  attributed  to  the 
manner  of  delivery  .■  we  read  their  words, 
but  their  spirit  is  gone ;  the  body  remains, 
beautiful  indeed,  but  motionless — and  dead  ,■ 
true  eloquence — revivifies  it. 

Notes.  To  produce  this  labio-nasal  sound,  close  the  lips 
and  make  a  sound  through  the  nose,  reseml  ling  the  plaintive  low- 
ing of  an  ox,  with  its  mouth  closed ;  or,  a  wailing  sound  through 
your  nose.  2.  This  is  called  a  nasal  sound,  because  it  is  made 
through  the  nose;  and  not  because  it  does  not  pass  through  it,  as 
many  imagine:  which  may  become  evident,  by  producing  the 
sound  when  the  nose  is  held  between  the  thumb  and  forefinger.  3. 
Avoid  detaching  letters  from  preceding  words,  and  attaching  them 
to  succeeding  ones ;  as — his  cry  moved  me ;  for,  his  crime  moved 
me.  4.  M  is  silent  before  n,  in  the  same  syllable ;  as,  Mnason, 
and  mne-;non-ics. 

12  7.  That  is  th'  man,  th't  said  that  you 
saw  him.  I  say  th't  that,  th't  that  man  said, 
is  not  that,  th't  thai  man  told  him.  That  th't 
I  say  is  this :  th't  that,  th't  that  gentleman 
advanced,  is  not  that,  th't  he  should  have 
spoken;  for  he  said,  th't  that  that,  th't  that 
man  pointed  out,  is  not  that  that,  th't  that  la- 
dy insisted  th't  it  was  ;  but  is  another  that. 

THE   PATHS   OF   LIFE. 

Go  forth — the  world  is  very  wide, 
And  many  paths — before  you  lie, 

Devious,  and  dang'rous,  and  untried  ; 
Go  forth  with  nary  eye  I 

Go  !  with  the  heart— by  grief  unbow'd  ! 

Go!  ere  a  shadow,  or  a  cloud 
Hath  dimiti'd  the  laughing  sky! 

But,  lest  your  wand'ring  footsteps  stray, 

Choose  ye  the  straight,  the  narrow  -way. 

£ 


128.  By  the  aid  of  the  principles  here  in- 
culcated, children  can  be  taken,  before  they 
have  learned  the  names  of  tire  letters,  and,  in 
a  few  months,  become  better  readers  than 
one  in  fifty  of  those  taught  in  the  usual 
way  ;  and  they  may  have  their  voices  so  de- 
veloped and  trained,  by  the  natural  use  of 
the  proper  organs  and  muscles,  as  to  be  able 
to  read,  speak,  and  sing,  for  hours  in  succes- 
sion, without  hoarseness,  or  injurious  ex- 
haustion. It  is  a  melancholy  reflection,  that 
children  learn  more  bad  habits  than  good 
ones,  in  most  of  our  common  schools. 

Proverbs.  1.  He,  that  does  you  an  ill  turn, 
will  never  forgive  you.  2.  It  is  an  ill  wind  that 
blows  nobody  any  good.  3.  The  proof  of  the 
pudding — is  in  eating.  4.  None  so  deaf,  as  they 
that  will  not  hear.  5.  Time— is  a.  file,  that  wears, 
and  makes  no  noise.  8.  When  everyone  takes 
care  of  himself,  care  is  taken  of  all.  7.  Without 
pains,  there  can  be  no  gains.  8.  One  may  as 
well  expect  to  be  at  ease,  without  money,  as  to  be 
happy,  without  virtue.  9.  A  man,  like  a  watch, 
is  valued  according  to  his  going.  10.  The  gov- 
ernment of  the  will  is  better  than  an  increase 
of  knowledge.  11.  Character — is  every  thing — to 
both  old  and  young.     12.   War  brings  scars. 

Anecdote.  Long  Enough.  A  man,  up- 
on the  verge  of  bankruptcy,  having  purchased 
an  elegant  coal,  upon  credit,  and  being  told 
by  one  of  his  acquaintances,  that  the  cloth 
was  very  beautiful,  though  the  coat  was  too 
short;  replied, — with  a  sigh — "It  will  be 
long  enough  before  I  get  another. 

Honor — was  the  virtue  of  the  pagan  ; 
but  Christianity — teaches  a  more  enlarged 
and  nobler  code  ;  calling  into  activity — all 
the  best  feelings  of  our  nature, — illuminat- 
ing our  path,  through  this  world,  with  deeds 
of  mercy  and  charity,  mutually  done  and  re- 
ceived,— and  sustaining  us,  amidst  difficul- 
ties and  temptations  —  by  the  hope  of  a 
glorious  immortality, —  in  which  peace  — 
shall  be  inviolable — and  joy — eternal. 

Varieties.  1.  Why  is  a  fashionably 
dressed  lady,  like  a  careful  housewife?  Be- 
cause her  waist  (waste),  is  always  as  small 
as  she  can  make  it.  2.  Literature  and 
Science,  to  produce  their  full  effect,  must 
be  generally  diffused,  like  the  healthful 
breeze.  3.  The  elements,  so  mixed  in  him, 
that  Nature  might  stand  up,  and  say  to  all 
the  world,  "This  is  a  man  .'"  4.  All  minds 
are  influenced  every  moment  ;  and  there  is 
a  providence  in  every  feeling,  thought  and 
word.  5.  The  excesses  of  our  youth,  are 
drafts  on  our  old  age,  payable  with  inU  n  si  : 
though  sometimes,  they  are  payable  at 
6.  I  will  not  only  know  the  way,  but  walk  in 
it.  7.  As  it  is  God's  will  to  fill  us  with  his 
life,  let  us  exert  every  faculty  we  possess, 
to  be  filled  with  it;  and  that  with  all  sin- 
cerity and  diligence. 

The  man,  th't's  resolute,  and  just, 
Firm  to  his  principles  and  trust, 
Nor  hopes,  nor  fears — can  bind. 
7 


50 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


129.  Distinctness  of  articulation  demands 
special  attention,  and  requires  that  you  should 
pronounce  the  vocal  letters,  as  well  as  every 
word,  audibly  and  correctly,  giving  to  each 
its  appropriate  force  and  quantity.  Unless 
these  principles  are  perfectly  understood, 
your  future  acquirements  will  be  more  or 
less  faulty  :  for,  in  proportion  as  one  is  ig- 
norant of  what  ought  to  be  felt,  thought,  and 
done,  will  he  be  liable  to  err. 

130.  Bf  lias  two  sounds;  first  its  name 
sound:  NINE;  the  land-man's 
nin-ny,  neg-li-gent  of  the  hunts- 
man's en-chant-menis,  con-fam-  (& 

i-nates    the    Ho-ble-man's  nine-  \   ^ S  I 

pins  with  his  an-ti-»o-mi-an  non-  [N  in  nine.] 
sense :  Na-hant,  and  Ftoi-ni-gan,  joint-fen- 
ants  of  rame-ty-nine  Man-i-kins,  u-nora-i- 
mous-ly  en-chain  with  win-rimg  tones,  the 
be-nig-nant  du-en-na,  while  they  are  con-ven- 
ed  to  «o/»-i-nate  eo«-di-ments  for  the  so-cin- 
i-an  con-yen-tion  of  the  non-m-i-dents  ;  he 
knows  his  nose  ;  I  know  he  knows  his  nose  : 
he  said  I  kneiv  he  knows  his  nose :  and  if  he 
says  he  knows  I  know  he  knows  his  nose, 
of  course,  he  knows  I  know  he  knows  his 
nose. 

131.  Some  public  speakers,  in  other  re- 
spects inferior,  from  the  ease,  grace,  dignity 
and  power  of  their  delivery,  axe  followed  and 
applauded,-  while  others,  however  sound  in 
matter,  and  finished  in  language,  on  account 
of  their  deficiency  of  manner,  are  passed  by 
almost  unnoticed.  All  experience  teaches  us 
the  great  importance  of  manner,  as  a  means 
of  inculcating  truth,  and  persuading  others 
to  embrace  it.  Lord  Bacon  says,  it  is  as  ne- 
cessary for  a  public  speaker,  as  decorum  for 
a  gentleman. 

]Vot  CS.  1.  This  vocal  nasal  sound  is  marie,  by  pressing  the 
tongue  against  the  roof  of  the  mouth,  and  thus  preventing  the  sound 
from  passing  through  the  mouth,  and  emitting  all  of  it  through  the 
nose:  see  engraving.  2.  In  comparing  sounds,  be  guided  solely  by 
the  ear;  beware  of  going  by  sight  in  the  science  of  accoustics.  3. 
Remember,  when  there  is  a  charge  in  the  position  of  the  organs, 
there  is  a  corresponding  change  in  the  sounds.  4.  In  words  where 
/  and  n  precede  ch,  the  sound  of  (  intervenes  in  the  pronunciation  : 
filch,  blanch,  wench,  inch,  bench,  &c.  5.  Beware  of  omissions 
and  additions ;  Boston  notion,  not  Boston  ocean.  Regain  either, 
not  regain  neither. 

Anecdote.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Whiff  eld- 
was  once  accused,  by  one  of  his  hearers,  of 
wandering  in  his  discourse  ;  to  which  he  re- 
plied :  "  If  you  will  ramble  like  a  lost  sheep, 
I  must  ramble  after  you." 

Truth— 
Comes  to  us  with  a  slow — and  doubtful  step  ; 
Measuring  the  ground  she  treads  on,  and  forever 
Turning  her  curious  eye,  to  see  that  all 
Is  right — behind  ;  and,  with  keen  survey, 
Choosing  her  onward  path. 

Seize  upon  truth, — wherever  found, 
On  christian, — or  on  heathen  ground  ; 
Among  your  friends, — among  your  foes  ; 
The  plant's  divine, — where'er  it  grows. 


Proverbs.  1.  It  is  not  the  burthen,  but  the 
oaer-burthen,  that  kills  the  beast.  2.  The  death 
of  youth  is  a  shipwreck.  3.  There  is  no  disput- 
ing of  tastes,  appetites,  and  fancies.  4.  When  the 
fox  preaches,  let  the  geese  beware.  5.  Alms- 
giving — never  made  a  man  poor  ;  nor  robbery — 
rich  ;  nor  prosperity — wise.  6.  A  lie,  begets  a  lie, 
till  they  come  to  generations.  7.  Angei — is  often 
more  hurtful  than  the  injury  that  caused  it.  8. 
Better  late  ripe,  and  bear,  than  blossom,  and  blast. 
9.  Experience — is  the  mother  of  science.  10.  He 
that  will  not  be  counselled,  can  not  be  helped. 
11.  Expose  one's  evils,  and  he  will  either/orsaie 
them,  or  hate  you  for  the  exposure.  12.  Do  not 
hurry  a.  free  horse.     13.  Every  thing  would  liva. 

Gradations.  The  dawn,  the  deep  light, 
the  sun-rise,  and  the  blaze  of  day  !  what 
softness  and  gentleness.'  all  is  graduated, 
and  yet,  all  is  decisive.  Again,  observe 
how  winter — passes  into  spring, — each — 
weakened  by  the  struggle  ;  then,  steals  on 
the  summer,  which  is  fallowed  by  the  matu- 
rity of  autumn.  Look  also  at  the  gradations 
and  commingling  of  infancy,  childhood, 
youth,  manhood  and  age  :  how  beautiful  the 
series !  and  all  this  may  be  seen — in  the 
successive  developments  of  the  human  mind: 
— there  is  first  se?ise,  iheri  fancy,  imagina- 
tion and  reason, — each  ol  which — is  the 
ground,  or  continent,  of  all  that  succeed  : 
sense — is  the  rude  germ,  or  crust  of  the 
fancy,  which  is  the  full-fledged  bird,  freed 
from  its  confinement  and  limited  notices, 
and  soaring  aloft,  unrestrained,  in  the  luxu- 
ries of  its  new  being  ;  then,  succeeds  imagi- 
nation, a  well  regulated  fancy,  that  emulates 
the  work  of  reason,  while  it  borrows  the 
hues — of  its  immediate  parent :  and  reason 
— is  the  full  and  perfect  development — of  all 
that  sense — originally  contained,  fancy — de- 
corated, and  imagination — designed — in  a 
thousand  forms:  thus  reason — combines  the 
whole,  and  from  the  whole,  thro'  the  light 
of  the  Supreme  Blind,  deduces  her  conclu- 
sions :  thus,  shall  the  gradations,  or  series 
of  developments,  continue  in  the  good,  and 
the  true — to  all  eternity  ! 

"Varieties.  1.  How  many  years  inter- 
vened— between  the  discovery  of  the  mar- 
iner's compass,  in  1302,  and  the  discovery 
of  America  ?  2.  The  covetous  man — is  as 
much  deprived  of  what  he  has,  as  of  what 
he  has  not  ;  for  he  enjoys  neither.  3.  Ah  ! 
who  can  tell,  how  hard  it  is  to  climb  the 
steep,  where  Fame's  proud  temple  shines 
afar,  checked  by  the  scoff  of  Pride,  by  En- 
vy's frown,  and  Poverty's  unconquerable 
bar  !  4.  A  man  of  cultivated  mind,  can 
converse  with  a  picture,  and  find  an  agree- 
able companion  in  a  statue.  5.  Little  men — 
triumph  over  the  errors  of  great  ones,  as  an 
owl — rejoices  at  an  eclipse  of  the  sun.  6. 
The  eternal  and  natural  worlds  are  so  unit- 
ed, as  to  make  but  one  ;  like  the  sold  and 
the  body.  7.  What  is  the  difference  between 
good  sense,  and  wit  ? 

A  villain,  when  he  most  seems  kind, 

Is  most  to  be  suspected. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


51 


132.  Be  perfectly  distinct  in  your  articu- 
lation, or  you  cannot  become  an  easy,  grace- 
ful, effective  and.  natural  elocutionist ' ;  there- 
fore, practice  on  the  vowels  and  consonants, 
as  here  recommended,  separately  and  com- 
bined. If  your  utterance  is  rapid,  and  indis- 
tinct, your  reading  and  speaking,  will  not 
be  listened  to  with  much  pleasure,  or  profit. 
A  hint — to  those  who  would  be  wise,  is  suf- 
ficient. 

133.  The  second  sound  of  BT,  is  tliat 
of  BTgj  before  hard  g,  and  often  ^.JmJ, 
before  hard  c,  k  and  q  under  the 
accent.  BANK;  con-gress  con- 
quers the  strong-Mug  don-key, 
and  6fl/ic-tions  the  lank  con-clave  ln  in  bank.) 
in  punc-/i/-ious  cow-course:  the  sarc-guine 
M?i-cle,  «?i.r-ious  to  ling-er  much  long-ex 
amomr  the  /i/?fc-ling  m-gots,ym-gles  his  rin- 
kled  fin-ger  over  the  lin-guist's  an-gu-Iar 
shrunk  shanks. 

134.  The  common  mode  of  teaching  elo- 
cution is  considered  the  true  one,  because  it 
has  been  so  long  admitted  and  practia  d  : 
the  old  have  become  familiar  with  it,  and  fol- 
low it  from  habit,  as  their  predecessors  did ; 
and  the  rising  generation  receive  it  on  trust: 
thus  they  pass  on,  striving  to  keep  each  oth- 
er in  countenance :  hence  it  is,  that  most  of 
our  bad  habits,  in  this  important  art,  are  born 
in  the  primary  school,  brought  up  in  the 
academy,  and  graduated  in  the  college,-  if 
we  proceed  so  far  in  our  education.  Is  not 
an  entire  revolution  necessary. 

135.  Irregulars,  Ng  have  generally  this 
sound.  In  cultivating  and  strength-en-ing 
the  un-der-s/Vmrf-ing,  by  stud-y-ing,  read-'mg, 
wri-tmg,  cy-pher-ing,  and  speak-ing,  I  am 
think-mg  of  eon-/ewWng  for  go-ing  to  sing- 
ing meet-ing;  in  re-Zin-quish-ing  your  stand- 
ing in  the  crisp-ing  fry-mg  pan,  byjump-ing 
o-ver  the  ivind-mg  rail-'mg,  you  may  be  .sail- 
ing on  the  ooiZ-ing  o-cean,  where  the  limp-mg 
her-rmgs  are  skip-ping,  and  danc-ing,  around 
some-thing  that  is  laugh-'mg  and  cry-ing, 
sleep-mg  and  wa-Y\ng,  lov-ing  and  smi-ling. 

IVotes.  1.  This  nasal  diphthongal  vocal  consonant  sound, 
maybe  made  by  drawing  the  tongue  back,  closing  the  passage 
from  the  throat  into  the  mouth,  and  directing  (he  sound  through 
the  nose ;  as  in  giving  the  name  sound  of  N;  it  can  be  distinctly 
perceived  by  prolonging,  or  singing  the  ng-  sound  in  the  word  sing. 
2.  If  the  accent  be  on  the  syllable  beginning  with  g  and  chard, 
and  ft,  and  q,  the  n  may  take  its  name  sound  ;  as,  con-grraf-u-late, 
cm-cur,  cnn-cWc,  &c.  3.  The  three  sounds  of  m  and  n,  are  the 
only  nasal  ones  in  our  language.  4.  Some  consonant  sounds  are 
continuous:  the  1st,  31, and  4th  of  c  ;  the  2nd  of/,  the  third  of 
g,  I,  m,  n,  r,  &c  are  examples ;  others  are  abrupt  or  discrete ;  as, 
b,  d,  p,  h,  t,  fee. :  so  we  have  continuous  sounds,  (the  long  ones,  ) 
and  abrupt  or  discrete  ones,  (the  short.) 

Anecdote.  Equality.  When  Lycurgus, 
king  of  Sparta,  was  to  reform  and  change 
the  government,  one  advised  him,  that  it 
should  be  reduced  to  an  absolute  popular 
equality  :  "  Sir," — said  the  lawgiver,  "  be- 
gin it  in  your  own  house  first. 

Love — reckons  hours — for  months, — and  days — for  years  ; 
And  every  little  absena-~k  an  age. 


Proverbs.  1.  A  miss,  is  as  good  as  a  mile. 
2.  A  man  is  a  lion  in  his  own  cause.  3.  He  that 
has  too  many  irons  in  the  tire,  will  find  that  some 
of  them  will  be  apt  to  burn.  4.  It  is  not  an  art  to 
play;  but  it  is  a  very  good  art  to  leave  off  play. 
5.  Beyond  the  truth,  there  is  nothing  but  error; 
ami  beyond  error,  there  is  madness  6.  He,  who 
deals  with  a  blockhead,  has  need  of  much  brains. 
7.  The  burnt  child  dreads  the^re.  8.  When  on* 
will  not.  two  cannot  quarrel.  9.  Words  from  the 
mouth,  die  in  the  ears  ;  but  words  from  the  heart 
— stay  there.  11.  Young  folks — think  old  folks 
fools;  but  old  folks  know  that  young  ones  are. 

11.  First  know  what  is  to   be  done,  then  do  it. 

12.  The  tongue,  without  the  heart,  speaks  an  un- 
known tongue.     13.  Remember  the  reckoning. 

Tlie  three  essentials — of  every  exist- 
ence are  an  inmost,  a  middle  and  anoutmost : 
i.  e.  an  end.  a  cause,  and  an  effect:  the  end 
is  the  inmost,  the  cause  is  the  middle,  and 
the  effect  the  outmost,  or  ultimate.  Ex. 
Man  is  one  existence,  and  yet  consists  of  a 
soul,  or  inmost  principle,  a  body,  or  middle 
principle,  and  an  activity,  or  ultimate  prin- 
ciple. In  his  soul  are  ends,  or  motives  to 
action ;  in  his  body  are  causes,  or  ways  and 
mea?is  of  action  ;  and  in  his  life  are  effects, 
or  actions  themselves  :  if  either  were  want- 
ing, he  could  not  be  a  man  :  for,  take  away 
his  soul,  and  his  body  would  die  for  want  of 
a  first  principle  to  live  from ;  take  away  his 
body,  and  his  soul  could  not  act  in  the  natu- 
ral world,  for  want  of  a  suitably  organized 
instrument  ;  take  away  his  life,  or  the  acti- 
vity of  his  body  from  his  soul,  and  both 
soul  and  body  would  cease  to  exist  for  lack 
of  exercise.  In  other  words,  MAN  consists 
of  will,  or  inmost ;  understanding,  or  inter- 
mediate ;  and  activity,  or  ultimate.  It  is 
evident,  that  without  willing,  his  under- 
standing would  never  think,  and  devise 
means  of  acting  ;  and  without  understand- 
ing, his  will — could  not  effect  its  purpose  ; 
and  without  action — that  willing  and  under- 
standing would  be  of  no  use. 

Varieties.  1.  The  thief — is  sorry  he  is 
to  be  punished,  but  not  that  he  is  a  thief. 

2.  Some — are  atheists — only  in  fair  weather. 

3.  Is  the  casket — more  valuable  than  the 
jewel  it  contains  ?    4.  Indolence — is  a  stream 

that  flows  slowly  on  ;  yet  it  undermines  ev- 
ery virtue.  5.  All  outward  existence — is 
only  the  shadow  of  that,  which  is  truly  real  ; 
because  its  very  correspondence.  6.  Should 
we  act  from  policy,  or  from  principle  ?  7. 
The  prayer  of  the  memory  is  a  reflected  light, 
like  that  of  the  moon;  that  of  the  under- 
standing alone,  is  as  the  light  of  the  sun  in 
winter  ;  but  that  of  the  heart,  like  the  light 
and  heat  united,  as  in  spring  or  summer  ; 
and  so  also,  is  all  discourse  from  them,  and 
all  worship. 

THE   FLIGHT   OF   TEARS. 

Gone  !  gone  forever  ! — Like  a  rushing  wave 
Another  yeai — has  burst  upon  the  shore 
Of  earthly  being— and  its  last  low  tones, 
Wandering  in  broken  accents  on  the  air, 
Are  dying — to  an  echo. 


52 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


136.  In  ancient  Rome,  an  orator's  educa- 
tion began  in  infancy  ;  so  should  it  be  now  ; 
the  seeds  of  eloquence  may  be  sown,  when 
the  child  is  on  the  maternal  bosum  ;  the  voice 
should  be  developed  with  the  mind.  If  the 
child  has  good  examples  set  him,  in  reading 
and  speaking,  and  the  youth  is  attentive  to 
his  every  day  language,  and  is  careful  to  im- 
prove his  mind  and  voice  together,  he  will 
become  a  good  elocutionist,  without  scarcely 
knowing  it.  Connection  and  association — 
have  as  much  to  do  with  our  manner  of 
speaking,  as  with  our  cast  of  thinking. 

137.  P   has   tout   one  sound:    PAP; 
pale,  par,  pall,  pap ;  peep,  pet ;  . 
pipe,    pip;    pope,  pool,    pop;    /^r^\ 
pule,  pup,  puss;  point,  pound  ;  (f^gg^SiN 
peo-ple  put  pep-per  in  pep-pet-  ^     , — •     * 
box-es,     ap-ple-pies     in    cup-     [pjopap.] 
boards,  and  whap-ping  pap-poo-ses  in  wrap- 
pers ;  the  hap-py  pi-per  placed  his  peer-less 
pup-py  in  Pom-pey's  slop-shop,  to  be  pur- 
chased for  a  peck  of  pap-py  pip-pins,  or  a 
pound  of  pwZ-ver-iz-ed  pop-pies ;  a  pad-Ay 
picked  a  peck  of  pick-led  pep-pers,  and  put 
them  on  a  broad  brimed  peiv-ter  plat-ter. 

138.  Muscle  Breakers.  Peter  Prickle 
Prandle  picked  three  pecks  of  prickly  pears, 
from  three  prickly  prangly  pear  trees:  if 
then,  Peter  Prickle  Prandle,  picked  three 
pecks  of  prickly  pears  from  three  prickly 
prangly  pear  trees ;  where  are  the  three  pecks 
of  prickly  pears,  that  Peter  Prickle  Prandle 
picked,  from  the  three  prickly  prangly  pear 
trees'?  Success  to  the  successful  prickly 
prangly  pear  picker. 

SUOtes.  1.  To  give  this  aspirate  labial,  whisper  the  word 
pugh,  (u  short,)  or  pop  out  the  candle  ;  see  the  engraving :  it  is 
all  of  the  word  up,  except  the  u :  but  the  sound  is  not  finished  till 
the  lips  are  separated,  or  the  remaining  breath  exhaled :  remember 
the  remarks  in  reference  to  other  abrupt  elements.  2.  The  prin- 
cipal difference  between  b  andp  is,  that  b  is  a  vocal,  and  p,  only  a 
breath  sound.  P,  H,  T,  are  called,  by  some,  sharp  mutes  ;  and  B, 
G,  D,  flat  mutes.  3.  Germans  find  it  difficult  to  pronounce  cer- 
tain vocal  consonants  at  the  ends  of  words,  tho'  correctly  at  the  be- 
ginning :  hence,  instead  of  saying  dog,  mad,  pod,  kc.  they  say,  at 
first,  doh,  mat,  pot,  &c.  4.  In  pronouncing  m,  and  t  together,  p  is 
very  apt  to  intervene  ;  as  in  Pam-ton  &c.  5.  P  is  silent  in  psal-ter, 
pshaw, pneu-mai-ics,  Ptol-e-my,  Psy-che,  rasp-ber-ry,  (3d  a,)  corps 
(o  long,)  re-ceipt,  etc.  6.  Not  deiths,  but  depths ;  not  clat-board, 
but  clap-board ;  not  Ja-cop,  but  Ja-coi ;  not  bai-tism,  but  bap- 
ism,  etc. 

Anecdote.    A   Check.      Soon    after    the 
oattle  of  Leipsic,  a  wit  observed. — "  Bona- 
part  must  now  be  in  funds  ;  for  he  has  re- 
ceived a  check  on  the  bank  of  the  _EZoe." 
.  Hidden,  and  deep,  and  never  dry, 
Or  flowing,  or  at  rest, 
A  living  spring  of  love — doth  lie 
In  every  human  breast. 
All  else— may  fail,  th't  soothes  the  heart, 
Ml,  save  that  fount  alone  ; 
With  that,  and  life,  we  never  part  ; 
For  life,  and  love — are  one. 

lie  seemed 
For  dignity  composed,— and  high  exploit ; 
But  all  wa.9  false— and  hollow. 


Proverbs.  1.  He,  who  thinks  he  knows  the 
most,  knows  the  least.  2.  Take  every  thing  as  it 
comes,  and  make  the  best  of  it.  3.  Three  removes 
are  as  bad  as  a  fire.  4.  Tread  on  a  worm,  and  he 
will  turn.  5.  Two  things  we  should  never  be 
angry  at, — what  we  can,  and  what  we  cannot 
help.  6.  When  the  bow  is  too  much  bent,  it 
breaks.  7.  A  wise  man — is  a  great  wonder.  8. 
h.wicked  man — is  his  own  hell ;  and  his  evil  lusts 
and  passions  the  fiends  that  torment  him.  9. 
Blushing — is  virtue's  color.  10.  Evil  communi- 
cations corrupt  good  manners.  11.  Gain — is  un- 
certain, but  the  pain  is  sure.  12.  Never  court, 
unless  you  intend  to  marry. 

Amusements.  Ever  since  the  fall, 
mankind  have  been  prone  to  extremes  ;  not 
only  the  religious,  but  the  irreligious  por- 
tion of  the  world.  It  is  greatly  to  be  regret- 
ted, that  we  are  all  so  much  at  the  mercy 
of  passion  and  prejudice,  and  so  little — un- 
der the  guiding  influence  of  reason  and  in- 
telligence. In  our  creation,  the  Divine 
Being — has  manifested  infinite  love  and  in- 
finite wisdom  :  for  we  are  made  in  "  his 
image  and  likeness;"  the  former,  we 
still  retain,  but  the  latter,  sad  to  relate,  we 
have  lost.  The  will,  or  voluntary  principle 
of  the  mind,  constitutes  our  impelling  power, 
and  the  understanding,  or  reaso?iing  facul- 
ties, under  the  light  of  truth,  is  our  govern- 
ing power :  if,  therefore,  we  find  ourselves 
loving — what  is  not  good  and  true,  our  ra- 
tionality, enlightened  by  wisdom,  must  be 
our  guide.  Hence,  our  rule  is  this  ;  what- 
ever amusements — tend  to  fit  us  for  our  va- 
rious duties,  and  give  us  zest  in  faithfully 
performing  them,  are  perfectly  proper  ;  but, 
amusements,  whose  tendency  is  the  reverse 
of  this,  are  entirely  improper;  and  we  should 
not  hesitate  a  moment  in  abstaining  from 
them,  however  they  may  be  approved  by 
others,  or  sanctioned  by  long  usage :  we 
must  never  compromise  the  interests  of 
eternity — for  those  transitory  enjoyments  of 
time  and  sense,  which  are  at  variance  with 
the  principles  of  truth  and  goodness.  Both 
worlds  are  best  taken  care  of,  when  they  are 
cared  for  together,  and  each  has  its  attention, 
according  to  its  importance. 

Varieties.  1.  There  are  some,  who  live 
— to  eat  and  drink  ;  and  there  are  others, 
who  eat  and  drink,  to  live.  2.  The  perfec- 
tion of  art  is — to  conceal  the  art:  i.  e.  to  be 
the  thing,  instead  of  its  representative.  3. 
Let  every  one  sweep  the  snow  from  his  own 
door,  and  not  trouble  himself  about  the  frost 
on  his  neighbors  tiles.  4.  Galileo,  the  great 
astronomer,  was  imprisoned  for  life,  because 
he  declared  that  Venus — shone  with  a  bor- 
rowed light,  and  from  the  sun,  as  the  centre 
of  our  system.  5.  There  are  abuses — in  all 
human  governments.  6.  He,  whose  virtues, 
exceed  his  talents,  is  the  good  man  ;  but  he, 
whose  talents  exceed  his  virtues,  is  the  bad 
man.  7  All  we  perceive,  understand,  will, 
love,  and  practice,  is  our  own  ;  but  nothing 
else. 

Suspicion — always  haunts  the  guilty  mind ; 
The  thief— still  fears  each  bush— an  officer. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


53 


139.  Written  language  consists  of  letters, 
and,  consequently,  is  more  durable  than  spo- 
ken language,  which  is  composed  of  articu- 
late sounds.  Our  written  alphabet  contains 
twenty-sir  letters,  which  make  syllables  and 
words,-  words  make  sentences;  sentences 
paragraphs,  which  make  sections  and  chap- 
ters,- these  constitute  an  essay,  discourse,  ad- 
dress, oration,  poem,  dissertation,  tract  or 
book :  but  our  vocal  alphabet  has  forty-/ot/r 
letters,  or  sounds,  which  make  up  the  whole 
of  spoken  language. 

14:0.  R  has  two  sounds  ;  first,  its  name 
sound ;  ARM ;  the  &a/--bers  were,        v    f 
in  former  years,  the  or-bi-ters  of    /\7f~\ 
the  wmr-der-ers  of  their  f ore-fa-  {  /SS\\ 
thers :  the  Tar-tars  are  g-ar-blers  (  ^qu^") 
of  hard-ware  and  per-rer-ters  of 
the  er-rors  of  North-em-ers  and    [RinABM-l 
South-em-ers ;  the/ar-mers  are  dire  search- 
ers af-ter  burnt  ar-bors,  and  store  the  cor- 
ners„of  their  lar-Aers  with  di-vers  sorts  of 
quar-tex  doZ-lars ;  Charles  Bur-ser  goes  to  the 
far-iher  barn,  and  gets  lar-gex  ears  of  hard 
corn,  for  the  car-ter's  horses. 

141.  Dr.  Franklin  says,  (of  the  justly  cel- 
ebrated Whitfield,)  that  it  would  have  been 
fortunate  for  his  reputation,  if  he  had  left  no 
written  works  behind  him ;  his  talents  would 
Jien  have  been  estimated  by  their  effects ;  in- 
deed, his  elocution  was  almost  faultless. 
But  whence  did  he  derive  his  effective  man- 
ner? We  are  informed,  that  he  took  lessons 
of  Garrick,  an  eminent  tragedian  of  Eng- 
land, who  was  a  great  master  in  Nature's 
school  of  teaching  and  practicing  this  useful 
art. 

Notes.  1.  To  make  this  smooth  vocal  sound,  pronounce 
the  word  arm,  and  dwell  on  the  r  sound ;  and  you  will  perceive 
that  the  tongue  is  turned  gently  tn  the  roof  of  the  mouth,  and  at 
the  same  time  drawn  back  a  little.  2.  Avoid  omitting  this  letter,  as 
it  never  is  silent,  except  it  is  doubled  in  the  same  syllable :  not 
staw-roy,  but  stor-my ;  not  It'o-ah-ty,  but  Zt'i-er-ty ;  not  bust,  but 
burst ;  not  waw-um,  but  warm ;  not  aA-gu-ment,  but  ar-gu-ment ; 
not  houses,  but  Aor-ses  J  not  hahd  stawm,  but  hard  storm ;  etc.  3.  Re- 
member that  short  e  and  i  before  r,  in  the  same  syllable,  when  ac- 
cented, sound  like  short  u,  unless  followed  by  another  r,  as  mercy, 
(mer-it,)  ser-geant,  (ser-rate,)  ter-ma-gant,  ( ter-ror, )  mirth-ful, 
(mir-ror,)  ver-ses,  (ver-y)  (here  the  r  is  re-echoed ;)  and  spirits,  &c. : 
the  exceptions  are  in  parentheses :  see  p.  22d.  4.  Some  words, 
(where  e,  i,  and  /,  are  peculiarly  situated,  as  above,)  have,  in  their 
pronunciation,  a  reverberation,  or  repetition  of  the  r,  although 
there  may  be  but  one  in  the  word ;  as — ver-y ;  being  followed  by  a 
vowel. 

Anecdote.  Wlw  Rules  ?  A  schoolmas- 
ter, in  ancient  Rome,  declared,  that  he  ruled 
the  world.  He  was  asked  to  explain  :  which 
he  did  in  the  following  manner.  "  Rome — 
rules  the  world ;  the  women  rule  those  who 
govern  Rome  ;  the  children  control  their  mo- 
thers, and  /  rule  the  children.'1'' 

So — we  grew  together, 
Like  to  adouble  cherry,  seeming— parted; 
But  yet  a  union — in  partition, 
Two  lowly  berries, — moulded  on  one  stem: 
So,  with  two  seeming  bodies,  but  one  heart : 
Two—oi  the  first,  like  coats,  in  heraldry, 
Due  but  to  one,  and  crowned — with  one  crest. 


Proverbs.  1.  He  that  is  ill  to  himself,  will 
be  good  to  nobody.  2.  The  remedy — is  worse  than 
the  disease.  3.  Who  is  so  deaf,  as  he  that  will 
not  h ear?  4.  All  vice  infatuates  and  corrupts  the 
judgment.  5.  A  fool,  may,  by  chance,  put  some- 
thins  into  a  wise  man's  head.  G.  After  praying 
to  God,  not  to  lead  you  into  temptation,  do  not 
throw  yourself  into  it.  7.  Evil  gotten,  evil  spey:t. 
8.  He,  that  knows  useful  things,  and  not  he  that 
knows  many  things,  is  the  wise  man.  9.  He — 
preaches  well,  that  lives  well.  10.  It  is  always 
term  time  in  the  court  of  conscience.  11.  We  may 
be  ashamed  of  our  pride,  but  not  proud  of  our 
shame.  12.  Historical  faith  —  precedes  saving 
faith.     13.  Stolen  waters  are  sweet. 

The  Tme  Christian  Character.  The 
three  essentials  of  a  christian — are — a  good 
will — flowing  through  a  true  understanding, 
into  a  uniform  life  of  justice  and  judgment. 
It  is  not  enough,  that  we  mean  well,  or 
know  our  duty,  or  try  to  do  right  ;  for  good 
intention  is  powerless,  without  truth  to 
guide  it  aright ;  and  truth — in  the  intellect 
alone,  is  mere  temter-light,  without  the 
summer-heat  of  love  to  God — and  love  to 
man  ;  and  blundering  efforts  —  to  do  our 
duty — are  poor  apologies  for  virtuous  ener- 
gies, well  directed  and  efficiently  applied  : 
the  three  alone — can  constitute  us  true  chris- 
tians; i.e.  our  will,  understanding  and  lift  , 
must  be  brought  into  harmonious  and  effi- 
cient unity,  in  order  that  we  may  be  entitled 
to  this  high  and  holy  appellation.  Thing- 
must  not  only  be  thought  of,  and  <l 
purposed,  and  intended ;  but  they  must  I  e 
done,  from  love  to  the  Lord  ;  that  He,  as  a 
principle  of  goodness,  and  a  principle  of 
truth — may  be  flowing,  constantly,  from 
the  centre — to  the  circumference  of  at 
we  must  practice  what  we  know  of  the  mil  h: 
we  must  live  the  life  of  our  heavenly  Fa- 
ther's commandments ;  so  as  to  have  his 
goodness  and  truth  implanted  in  us,  that  we 
may  strive  to  walk  before  Him,  and  becom* 
perfect. 

"Varieties.  1.  A  certain  apotheca  r 
over  his  door,  this  sign — "  All  kinds  of  dy- 
ing stuff  sold  here."  2.  Does  wealth — exert 
more  influence  than  knowledge?  3.  A 
pretty  shepherd,  indeed,  a  wolf  would  make ! 
4.  At  some  taverns — madness — is  sold  by 
the  glass  ;  at  others,  by  the  bottle .  5.  So- 
briety, without  sullenness,  and  mirth  with 
modesty,  are  commendable.  6.  Even  an  or- 
dinary composition,  well  delivered,  is  better 
received,  and  of  course  does  more  good. 
than  a  superior  one,  badly  delivered.  7. 
Where  order — cannot  enter,  it  cannot  exist. 

What  is  beauty  ?    Not  the  show 

Of  shapely  limbs,  and  features.    No: 

These — are  butjlowers, 

That  have  their  dated  hours, 

To  breathe  their  momentary  sweets,  then  go; 

'Tis  the  stainless  soul — within — 

That  outshines— the  fairest  skin. 

Appearances — deceive  ; 
And  this  one  maxim — is  a  standing  rule, — 
Men  are  not— what  they  seem. 


54 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


[R  in  RAIL.] 


142.  Many  persons  take  great  pains  in 
their  dress,  to  appear  well  and  receive  atten- 
tion ;  and  so  far  as  personal  appearance  can 
exert  an  influence,  they  attain  their  end:  but 
if  they  would  cultivate  their  language,  and 
the  proper  way  of  using  it,  so  as  not  to  de- 
form themselves  in  reading  and  conversation, 
they  might  accomplish  the  object  at  which 
they  aim. 

143.  The  second  sound  of  R,  is  rough, 
trilled,  or  burred;  when  it 
comes  before  vowel  sounds  in 
the  same  syllable :  RAIL  ROAD  ; 
the  roa-ring  rep-xo-baXe  re-ver- 
be-rates  his  ran-cor-ous  rib-aid- 
ry  and  re-treats  from  his  re-gal  throne,  to  his 
ri-val  rec-re-a-tion  in  the  rook-e-ry :  the  op- 
pro-bri-ous  li-ftra-ri-an,  rec-re-ant-ly  threw 
the  great  grirZ-i-ron  among  the  erock-e-ry  with 
ir-re-proac/j-a-ble  ef-front-e-ry ;  the  re-sults 
of  which  were,  ro-»2tf>2-tic  dreams,  bro-kcn 
ribs,  and  a  hun-dred  prime  cit-rons  for  the 
throng  of  cry-ins;  chil-dren:  round  and  round 
the  rug-ged  rock  the  rag-ged  ras-cal  drags  the 
strong  rhi-rtoe-e-ros,  while  a  rat  in  a  raMrap 
ran  through  the  rain  on  a  rail,  with  a  raw 
lump  of  red  fiv-er  in  its  mouth. 

144.  Written  language — is  used  for  com- 
municating information  respecting  persons 
distant  from  each  other,  and  for  transmitting, 
to  succeeding  ages,  knowledge,  that  might 
otherwise  be  lost,  or  handed  down  by  erring 
tradition.  Spoken  language — is  used  to  con- 
vey the  thoughts  and  feelings  of  those  who 
are  present,  and  are  speaking,  or  conversing 
together:  the  former  is,  of  course,  addressed 
to  our  eyes,  and  the  latter,  to  our  ears  ,•  each 
kind  having  its  own  particular  alphabet, 
which  must  be  mastered. 

^otes.  1.  This  vocal  trilled  diphthongal  sound,  consists 
of  theaspirate  sound  of  h,  modified  between  the  end  of  the  tongue 
and  the  roof  of  the  month,  combined  with  a  vocal.  2.  Or,  make 
the  name  sound  of  r,  and  mil  it  with  the  atpirate,  by  dapping 
the  tongue  against  the  roof  of  the  mouth ;  practice  prolonging  her, 
or  purr  in  a  whisper,  trilling  the  r,  then  add  the  voice  sound ;  af- 
terwards prefix  the  t,  and  exercise  as  above.  3.  Demosthenes,  in 
the  early  part  of  his  career,  was  reproached  for  not  being  able  to 
pronounce,  correctly,  the  first  letter  of  his  favorite  art— Rhetoric : 
i.  e.  he  could  not  trill  it  for  some  time.  4.  Give  only  one  trill  or 
clap  of  the  tongue,  unless  the  sentiment  be  very  animating ;  as— 
Rise— brothers,  rise:  etc.  '-Strike!  till  the  last  armed  foe  ex- 
pires.'5 

14.5.  Another.  The  riven  rocks  are 
rudely  rent  asunder,  and  the  rifted  trees 
rush  along  the  river,  while  hoa-ry  &o-re-as 
rends  the  robes  of  spring,  and  rat-tling  thun- 
der roars  around  the  rock-y  re-gions :  Robert 
Rowley  rolled  a  round  roll  round ;  a  round 
roll,  Robert  Rowley  rolled  round ;  where  roll- 
ed the  round  roll,  Robert  Rowley  rolled 
round ! 

Didst  ever  see 
Two  gentle  vines,  each — round  the  other  twined, 
So  fondly,  closely,  that  they  had  become, 
Ere  their  growth,  blended  together 
Into  one  single  tree  ? 


Proverbs.  1.  He,  who  resolves  to  amend, 
has  God  on  his  side.  2  Honest  men  are  soon 
bound  ;  but  you  can  never  bind  a  knave.  3.  If 
the  best  man's  faults  were  written  on  his  fore- 
head, it  would  make  him  pull  his  hat  over  his 
eyes.  4.  Life  is  half  spent,  before  we  know  what 
it  is.  5.  Of  the  two  evils,  choose  the  least.  6. 
One  bad  example  spoils  many  good  precepts.  7. 
Patience— is  a  plaster  for  all  sores.  8.  He  who 
serves  well — need  not  be  afraid  to  ask  his  wages. 
9.  If  you  will  not  hear  reason,  she  will  rap  you 
over  your  knuckles.  10.  Prayer — should  se  the 
key  of  the  day,  and  the  lock  of  the  night.  11. 
Foul  water  will  quench  fire.  12.  From  nothing 
— nothing  can  come. 

Anecdote.  Spinster.  Formerly,  it  was 
a  maxim,  that  a  young  woman  should  never 
be  married,  till  she  had  spun,  herself",  a  full 
set  of  linen.  Hence,  all  unmarried  women 
have  been  called  spinsters :  an  appellation 
they  still  retain  in  certain  deeds,  and  law 
proceedings  ;  though  many  are  not  entitled 
to  it. 

Mathematics — includes  the  study  of 
numbers  and  magnitudes:  hence,  it  is  called 
the  science  of  gravity ;  and  is  applicable  to 
all  quantities,  that  can  be  measured — by  a 
standard  unit,  and  thus  expressed  by  num- 
bers and  magnitude.  Feeling  and  thought, 
though  they  vary  immensely,  cannot  be 
measured  :  we  cannot  say,  with  strict  pro- 
priety, that  we  love  one — exactly  twice  as 
much  as  another  ;  nor,  that  one — is  three 
times  as  wise  as  another :  because  love  and 
wisdom  are  not  mathematical  quantities: 
but  we  can  measure  time  by  seconds,  min- 
utes, hours,  days,  weeks,  months,  years,  and 
centuries;  space  by  inches,  feet,  yards,  rods, 
and  miles,-  and  motion,  by  the  space  passed 
over  in  a  given  time. 

Varieties.  1.  Was  the  world  created 
out  of  nothing?  2.  Fools — draw  false  con- 
clusions, from  just  principles  :  and  mad- 
men draw  just  conclusions,  from  false  prin- 
ciples. 3.  The  discovery  of  what  is  true, 
and  the  practice  of  what  is  good,  are  the  two 
most  important  objects  of  life.  4.  Associa- 
tions— between  persons  of  opposite  tempera- 
ments, can  neither  be  durable,  nor  produc- 
tive of  real  pleasure  to  either  parly.  5. 
Where  grace  cannot  enter,  sin  increases 
and  abounds.  6.  The  spontaneous  gifts  of 
heaven,  are  of  high  value  ;  but  perseverance 
— gains  the  prize.  7.  When  the  will — be- 
comes duly  resigned  to  God,  in  small  things, 
as  well  as  gnat  ones,  all  the  affections  will 
be  reduced  into  their  proper  state,  in  their 
proper  season. 

The  wretch,  condemn'd  with  life  to  part, 
Still,  still  on  hope  relies, 

And  every  pang,  that  rends  his  heart, 
Bids  expectation  rise. 

Hope,  like  the  glimmering  taper's  light, 
Adorns — and  cheers  his  way, 

And  still,  as  darker  grows  the  night, 
Emits  a  brighter  ray. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


55 


146.  Keep  a  watchful  and  jealous  eye 
over  common  opinions,  prejudices  and  bad 
school  instruction,  until  the  influence  of  rea- 
son, nature  and  truth,  is  so  far  established 
over  the  ear  and  taste,  as  to  obviate  the  dan- 
ger of  adopting  or  following,  unquestionable 
errors,  and  vicious  habits  of  reading  and 
speaking:  extended  views,  a  narrow  mind 
extend.  To  judge  righteously  of  all  things, 
preserve  the  mind  in  a  state  of  perfect  equi- 
librium,  and  let  a  love  of  truth  and  goodness 
govern  all  its  decisions  and  actions. 

147.  XV,    Has     but    one    consonant 
sound,  and  one  vowel  sound;         .     . 
WOO ;  a  wan-ton  wag,  with  wo-   I^^T^  s 
ful  words,  be-wail-ed  the  well  I (iS^SW) 
wish-er   of   the   «•?£•- warn ;    the    ' 

dwarf  dwells  in  the  wea-ry  west,  Lw  ">  w00-l 
where  wom-en  weave  well  the  warp  of  life, 
and  vji?i-ter  winds  ivan-der  in  the  wild 
swamps,  that  wail  and  weep  :  the  wtoter- 
witch,  al-ways  war-worn  in  the  ivax-v/orks, 
war-hies  her  watch-word  to  the  weath-er- 
wise,  and  re-wards  the  luick-ed  with  weep- 
ing, wail-ing  and  (eor/«-wood. 

148.  By  separating  these  elements  of  lan- 
guage, and  practicing  on  them,  each  by  itself, 
the  exact  position  and  effort  of  the  vocal  or- 
gans, may  be  distinctly  observed  ;  and  in  this 
way,  the  true  means  of  increasing  and  im- 
proving the  force  and  quality  of  every  one 
ascertained.  Be  not  discouraged  at  the  ap- 
parent mechanical,  artificial  and  constrained 
modes  of  giving  the  sounds,  and  pronoun- 
cing the  words :  acquire  accuracy,  and  ease 
and  gracefulness  will  inevitably  follow. 

149.  Irregulars.  U  has  this  sound  in 
certain  words :  the  o;?-guish  of  the  cn-ti-qua- 
ry  is  as-sua-ged  with  lan-guid  mrarc-sue-tude, 
for  the  con-quest  over  his  dis-tin-guish-ed 
per-?t'«-sion:  the  guide  dis-gui-ses  his  as- 
sue-tude  of  per-.swa-ding  the  dis-sua-der. 

lYoteS.  1.  To  produce  this  sound,  shape  the  mouth  and  lips 
as  for  whistling,  and  make  a  voice  sound  ;  or,  pronounce  the  word 
do,  and  when  the  o  is  about  to  vanish,  commence  this  vocal  conso- 
nant, thus,  do was.    2.  When  w  is  initial,  i.  e.  begins  a  word  or 

syllable,  it  is  a  consonant ;  but  when  it  ends  one,  it  is  equivalent  to 
2d  o  in  ooze;  new,  how,  now,  pow-er,  etc.  3.  In  sword,  turn,  an- 
swer, it  is  silent :  w  also  before  r,  wrap,  ujrack,  wreath,  wrist, 
wrong;,  etc.  blow,  who,  knowledge,  whom,  whose,  whole,  whoop, 
etc.  4.  Practice  changes  on  w  and  t>,  as  found  under  21/.  5.  He 
who  a  watch  would  wear,  two  things  must  do,  pocket  his  watch, 
i  Dd  watch  his  pocket  too. 

Anecdote.  A  Scold.  Toole,  a  celebrated 
comic  actor,  being  scolded  by  a  woman,  said, 
in  reply,  "  I  have  heard  of  tartar  —  and 
brimstone  ; — you  are  the  cream  of  the  one, 
and  the  flower  of  the  other." 

11  Ask  for  what  end — the  heavenly  loJ-^s  shine  ? 
Earth — for  whose  utc  ? — Man  answers,  'Tis  for  mint; 
For  me — kind  nature  wakes  her  genial  power, 
Suckles  eajchherb,  and  spreads  out  every  Jlozocr  ; 
Annual  for  me — the  grape,  the  rose  renew 
ThejutcenectareouB,  and  the  balmy  devi: 
For  me — health — gushes  from  a  thousand  springs; 
For  me — the  mine — a  thousand  treasures  brings, 
Seas  mil — to  waft  me,  nnis — to  light  me  rise, 
My  fooUtool — earth,  my  canopy  —the  skus.'' 


Proverbs.  1.  It  is  easier  to  praise  poverty, 
than  to  bear  it.  2.  Prevention — is  better  than 
cure.  3.  Learn  wisdom  by  the  follies  of  others. 
I.  Knowledge,  without  practice,  makes  but  half 
an  artist.  5.  When  you  want  any  thing,  always 
ask  the  price  of  it.  6.  To  cure  idleness,  count  the 
tickings  of  a  clock.  7.  It  costs  more  to  revenge 
injuries,  than  to  endure  them.  8.  Conceited  men 
think  nothing  can  be  done  without  them.  9.  He, 
that  kills  a  man,  when  he  is  drunk,  must  be  hung 
when  lie  is  sober.  10.  An  idle  man's  head,  is  the 
devil's  work-shop.  11.  God  makes,  and  apparil 
shapes.    12.  Good  watch  prevents  harm. 

Tlie  Difference.  Two  teachers  apply 
for  a  school  ;  one — is  ignorant,  but  offers  to 
teach  for  twelve  dollars  a  month  ;  the  otlu  r 
— is  well  qualified  for  the  station,  and  asks 
twenty-five  dollars  a  month.  The  fathers — 
weigh  the  souls  of  their  children  sgainst 
money,  and  the  twelve  dollar  teacher  is  em- 
ployed. A  man  in  search  of  work  asks  a 
farmer,  if  he  does  not  want  to  hire  a  hand  ? 
"  If  I  can  find  one  to  suit  me," — the  tarme  r 
replies:  and  then  he  puts  a  variety  of  ques- 
tions to  him;  such  as, — '"Can  you  mow? 
reap?  chop?  cradle?  hoe?  dress  flax  ?  &c." 
Soon  after,  another  stranger  calls,  and  asks 
whether  they  wish  to  hire  a  teacher  in  their 
district  ?  But  the  'principal  question  in  this 
case,  is — ' '  How  much  do  you  ask  a  month  V 
Now,  just  observe  the  difference — in  the 
catechising  of  the  two  applicants.  Again, 
the  father — will  superintend  the  hired  man. 
and  have  things  so  arranged — as  not  to  lose 
a  moment's  time,  —  and  see  that  nothing 
goes  to  waste  ;  but  the  same  watchtul  parent 
— will  employ  a  teacher,  and  put  him  into 
the  school,  and  never  go  near  him. 

Varieties.  1.  If  a  man  begin  a  fool,  he 
is  not  obliged  to  persevere.  2.  Ought  cir- 
cumstantial evidence  to  be  admitted  in  cri- 
minal cases  ?  3.  Suspicion — is  always  worse 
than  fact.  4.  No  duty,  imposed  by  neces- 
sity, should  be  considered  abnrthen.  5.  To 
act  from  order,  is  to  act  from  heaven.  6. 
Truth,  however  little,  does  the  mind  good. 
7.  True  love  always  gives  forth  trui 
false  light  agrees  not  with  the  truth,  but 
lightly  esteems  it  ;  and  also,  seems  to  itself, 
to  be  better  than  truth. 

Great  were  the  hearts,  and  strong-  the  mind*, 
Of  those,  who  framed,  in  high  debate, 

The  immortal  league  of  love,  that  binds 
Our/air,  broad  Empire,  State  with  State 

And  deep  the  gladness  of  the  hour, 

When,  as  the  auspicious  task  was  done, 
In  solemn  trust,  the  sword  of  power, 

Was  giv'n  to  glory's  unspoil'd  son. 
That  noble  race  is  gone  ;  the  suns 

Of  fifty  vears — have  risen,  and  set  ; 
But  the  bright  links,  those  chosen  ones 

So  strongly  forged,  are  brighter  yet. 

Wide — as  our  own  free  race  increase — 
Wide  shall  extend  the  elastic  chain, 

And  bind,  in  everlasting  peace, 
State  after  State,  a  mighty  train. 


56 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


150.  Two  grand  objects  are  to  be  accom- 
plished by  these  lessons  and  exercises :  the 
acquiring  a  knowledge  of  the  vowel  and  con- 
sonant sounds,  and  a  facility  in  pronoun- 
cing them  :  by  means  of  which,  the  voice  is 
partially  broken,  and  rendered  flexible,  as 
well  as  controllable,  and  the  obstacles  to  a 
clear  and  distinct  articulation  removed :  there- 
fore, practice  much,  and  dwell  on  every  ele- 
mentary sound,  taking  the  letters  separately, 
and  then  combining  them  into  syllables, 
words  and  sentences. 

151.  Two  of  tlie  three  soiunuls  of  X: 
first,  name  sound ,-  or  ks,  when      ^\    , 

at  the  end  of  accented  syllables,  /  . 
and  often  when  it  precedes  them ;  i  ( 
if  followed  by  an  abrupt  conso-  *' 
nant  AXE:  the  car-comb  ex-  [XinAXE.i 
pe-ri-en-ces  the  lux-u-ry  of  ex-pa-ti-a-ting  on 
the  ex-plosion  of  his  ex-ws-sive  ex-al-te-tion 
of  the  bux-om  fair  sex ;  being  anx-ious  to 
ex-plain  the  or-tho-dox-y  and  het-o-dox-y  of 
Ex-«°-o-nus,  the  ex-pos-i-ter  ex-po-ses  the 
ex-ploit,  of  ex-pec/-ing  to  ex-plain  how  to 
ex-crefe  ex-cel-lent  texts  by  ex-cru-ci-a-ting 
the  wax  of  the  ex-cAeg-uer. 

153.  A  good  articulation — consists  in  giv- 
ing to  every  letter  in  a  syllable,  its  due  propor- 
tion of  sound,  according  to  the  best  pronun- 
ciation; and,  in  making  such  a  distinction 
between  the  syllables,  of  which  words  are 
composed,  as  that  the  ear,  without  difficulty, 
shall  acknowledge  their  number,  and  per- 
ceive, at  once,  to  which  syllable  each  letter 
belongs.  "When  these  things  are  not  observed, 
the  articulation  is  in  that  proportion,  defec- 
tive :  the  great  object  is — to  articulate  so  well, 
that  the  hearer  can  perfectly  understand 
what  is  read  or  spoken,  without  being  obliged 
to  have  recourse  to  a  painful  attention.  A 
good  articulation  is  the  foundation  of  good 
delivery:  as  the  sounding  of  the  musical 
notes  with  exactness,  is  the  foundation  of 
good  singing. 

153.  Play  upon  Xes.  Charles  X.  x-king 
of  France,  was  xtravagantly  xtolled,  but  is 
xceedingly  xecrated.  He  xperienced  xtra- 
ordinary  xcellence  in  xigencies  ;  he  was  xcel- 
lent  in  xternals,  but  xtrinsic  in  xtacy ;  he  was 
xtatic  in  xpression,  xtreme  in  xcitement,  and 
xtraordinary  in  xtempore  xpression.  He  was 
xpatriated  for  his  xcesses,  and,  to  xpiate  his 
xtravagance,  was  xcluded,  and  xpired  in 
xpulsion. 

Notes.  1.  To  produce  this  diphthongal  aspirate  sound, 
whisper  the  word  kiss,  and  then  repeat  it,  and  leave  out  the  t ;  k'ss  : 
one  of  the  most  unpleasant  sounds  in  our  language.  2.  Since  the 
word  diphthong  merely  signifies  a  double  sound,  there  is  no  impro- 
priety in  calling  double  consonants,  diphthongs,  as  we  do  certain 
vowels.  3.  All  critical  skill  in  the  sound  of  language,  ha  -  its  foun- 
dation in  the  practical  knowledge  of  the  nature  and  properties  of 
these  elements:  remember  this  and  apply  yourself  accordingly. 
4.  In  all  cases,  get  the  proper  sounds  of  letters,  as  given  in  the 
hey-words,  or  first  examples. 

To  err — is  human;  to  forgive— divine. 


Proverbs.  1.  If  better  were  within,  better 
would  come  out.  2.  Jests,  like  sroeetmeats,  have 
often  sour  sauce.  3.  Keep  aloof  from  quarrels ; 
be  neither  a.  witness,  nor  a  party.  4.  Least  said. 
the  soonest  mended.  5  Little  boats  should,  keep 
near  shore  ;  greater  ones  may  venture  more.  6. 
Some — are  more  nice  than  wise.  7.  Make  a  wrong 
step,  and  down  you  go.  8.  We  all  live  and  learn. 
9.  Riches,  (like  manure,)  do  no  good,  till  they  are 
spread.  19.  Silks  and  satins  often  put  out  the 
kitchen/ire.  11.  Some — would  go  to  the  devil,  if 
they  had  authority  for  it.  12.  Love  virtue,  and 
abhor  vice.    13.  Good  counsel  has  no  price. 

Anecdote.  Matrimony.  A  father,  wish- 
ing to  dissuade  his  daughter  from  all  thoughts 
of  matrimony,  quoted  the  words  :  "  She  who 
marries,  doeth  well ;  but  she  who  marries 
not,  doeth  better.'1  The  daughter,  meekly 
replied,  "  Father,  7  am  content  to  do  well ; 
let  those  do  better,  who  can." 

Boundaries  of  Knowledge.  Human 
reason — very  properly  refuses  to  give  its 
assent  to  any  thing,  but  in  proportion  as  it 
sees  how  that  thing  is,  or  is  done.  Now, 
there  are  three  directions — in  natural  science, 
which  are  attended  with  their  difficulties. 
The  astronomer  —  sees  —  and  feels  a  diffi- 
culty— in  getting  from  the  solar  system — to 
the  universe ;  the  chemist,  in  proceeding 
from  matter  —  to  its  mysterious  essence; 
and  the  physiologist,  in  advancing  from  the 
body — to  the  soul  ;  three  kingdoms  of  know- 
ledge— bordering  on  kingdoms — unknown  to 
natural  science.  Without  reason,  man  could 
never  become  elevated  above  his  senses,  and, 
consequently,  could  not  become  a  rational 
and  intellectual  being,  and,  of  course,  not 
man,  in  the  true  sense  of  the  term.  But 
our  minds  are  so  constituted,  that  after  hav- 
ing traversed  the  material  creation,  and 
perceived,  scientifically,  the  very  boundaries 
of  matter,  where  it  is  adjoined  by  spirit,  it 
can  elevate  itself,  by  a  power,  constantly 
given  by  God,  to  the  lower  boundaries  of 
spirit,  where  it  touches  upon  matter,  and 
then,  by  its  derived  powers,  ascend  step  by 
step,  to  the  great  I  Am;  whom  to  know 
aright,  and  whom  to  love  supremely,  is  the 
chief  good  of  man. 

Varieties.  1.  When  man  sins,  angels 
weep,  and  devils  rejoice.  2.  True  polite- 
ness, springs  from  the  heart.  3.  What  is 
that,  which  makes  every  body  sick,  except 
those  who  swallow  it?  Flattery.  4.  Science 
has  no  enemy,  but  ignorance.  5.  Be  not  too 
brief  in  conversation,  lest  you  be  not  under- 
stood ;  nor  too  diffuse,  lest  you  be  trouble- 
some. 6.  Simplicity,  and  modesty,  are 
among  the  most  engaging  qualities  of  every 
superior  mind.  7.  We  live  in  two  worlds, 
a  natural  and  a  spiritual  one. 

I  would  never  kneel  at  a  gilded  shrine, 

To  worship  the  idol — gold; 

I  would  never  fetter  this  luurt  of  mine, 

As  a  thing — forfortu?ic  sold : 

But  I'd  bow— to  the  light  tht  God  hath  given, 

The  nobler  light — of  mind  ; 

The  only  light,  save  that  of  Heaven, 

That  should  free-will  homage  find. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


57 


154.  Reading — should  be  a  perfect  fac- 
simile of  correct  speaking ,-  and  both  exact 
copies  of  real  life :  hence,  read  just  as  you 
would  naturally  speak  on  the  same  subject, 
and  under  similar  circumstances :  so,  that  if 
any  one  should  hear  you,  without  seeing  you, 
he  could  not  tell  whether  you  were  reading 
or  speaking.  Remember  that  nothing  is  de- 
nied to  industry  and  perseverance ;  and  that 
nothing  valuable  can  be  obtained  without 
them. 

155.  The  second  sound  of  X  is  that 
of  gz  5  generally,  when  it  imme- 
diately precedes  the  accent,  and 
is  followed  by  a  vowel  sound,  or 
the  letter  h,  in  words  of  two  or 
more  syllables ;  EXIST;  the  ex-  r  X  in  exist.  ] 
hor-ter  is  ex-hausl-ed  by  his  ex-u-ber-ant  ex- 
or-di-um,  and  desires  to  be  ex-on-er-a-ted 
from  ex-aw-in-ing  the  ux-o-ri-ous  ex-ec-u- 
tive ;  an  ex-act  ex-cwra-in-a-tion  into  the  ex-ag- 
ger-a-tions  of  the  aux-iMi-a-ries  ex-Aib-its  a 
lux-«-ri-ant  ex-ile,  who  ex-is/-ed  an  ex-o/-ic 
in  ea>em-pla-ry  ex-aMa-tion. 

156.  The  letters  o,  and  e,  in  to  and  the,  are 
long,  before  vowels,  but  abbreviated  before 
consonants,  (  unless  emphatic, )  to  prevent 
a  hiatus.  Th'  man  took  the  instrument  and 
began  t'  play  th'  tune,  when  th'  guests  were 
ready  to  eat.  I  have  written  to  Obadiah  t' 
send  me  some  of  th'  wheat,  that  was  brought 
inth'  ship  Omar,  and  which  grew  on  th'  land 
belonging  t'  th'  family  of  the  Ashlands.  Are 
you  going  from  townl  No  I  am  going  to 
town.  Th'  vessel  is  insured  to,  at.  and  from 
London. 

Notes.  1.  To  make  this  diphthongal  vocal  sound,  close  the 
teeth  as  if  to  give  the  sound  of  C,  and  then  bring  into  contact  the 
posteriors,  or  the  roots  of  the  tongue,  and  back  parts  of  the  throat, 
and  pronounce  the  imaginary  word  guz,  several  times  ;  then  omit 
the  u,  and  pronounce  the  g,  z,  by  themselves :  g — 2.  2.  For  the  3d 
•ound  of  X,  see  the  third  sound  of  C.  3.  These  elemental  sounds 
was  the  favorite  study  among  the  ancients,  of  the  greatest  ability. 

157.  Sight  Reading.  To  become  a  good 
reader,  and  a  reader  at  sight,  one  must  al- 
ways let  the  eyes  precede  the  voice  a  number 
of  words  ;  so  that  the  mind  shall  have  time, 
clearly,  and  distinctly,  to  conceive  the  ideas  to 
be  communicated ;  and  also  feel  their  influ- 
ence :  this  will  give  full  play  to  the  thoughts, 
as  well  as  impart  power  from  the  affectuous 
part  of  the  mind,  to  the  body,  for  producing 
the  action,  and  co-operation,  of  the  right 
muscles  and  organs  to  manufacture  the 
sounds  and  words.  In  walking,  it  is  always 
best  to  see  where  we  are  about  to  step ;  it  is 
equally  so  in  reading,  when  the  voice  walks. 
Indeed,  by  practice,  a  person  will  be  able  to 
take  in  a  line  or  two,  in  anticipation  of  the 
vocal  effort :  always  look  before  you  leap. 

The  high,  the  mountain-majesty — of  worth — 
Should  be,  and  shall,  survive  its  woe  ; 
And,  from  its  immortality, — look  forth — 
In  the  sun's  face, — like  yonder  Alpine  snow, 
Jmperishatly  pure— beyond  all  things  below. 


Proverbs.  1.  If  you  would  lend  a  man 
money,  and  make  him  your  enemy, ask  him  for  it 
again.  2.  He  that  goes  a  borrowing,  goes  a  sor- 
rowing. 3.  The  innocent — often  suffer  through 
the  indolence  and  negligence  of  others.  4.  Two  of 
a  trade  seldom  agree.  5.  When  the  Lord  revives 
his  work,  the  Devil  revives  his.  6.  He  that 
swells  in  prosperity,  will  shrink  in  adversity.  7. 
It  is  human  to  err ;  but  diabolical  to  persevere  in 
error.  8.  For  a  cure  of  ambition,  go  in  the  church- 
yard, and  read  the  gravestones.  9.  Better  get  in 
the  right  path  late,  than  never.  10.  A  real  friend 
— is  discerned  in  a  trying  case.  11.  Every  one 
can  acquire  a  right  character.  12.  Two  wrongs — 
don't  make  a  right. 

Anecdote.  Zeno — was  told,  that  it  was 
disreputable  for  a  philosopher  to  be  in  love. 
"  If  that  were  true,''''  said  the  wise  man, 
''the  fair  sex  are  indeed  to  be  pitied;  for 
they  would  then  receive  the  attention  of 
fools  alone." 

Mental  Violence.  Everything  which 
tends  to  discompose  or  agitate  the  mind, 
whether  it  be  excessive  sorrow,  rage  or  fear, 
envy,  or  revenge,  love  or  despair — in  short, 
whatever  acts  violently  on  our  mental  facul- 
ties— tends  to  injure  the  health. 

Varieties.  1.  Washington — was  born 
Feb.  22d,  1732,  and  died  Dec.  14th,  1799; 
how  old  was  he  ?  2.  We  cannot  love  those, 
whom  we  do  not  respect.  3.  Order — is  the 
same  in  the  world,  in  man,  and  in  the 
church  ;  and  man  is  an  epitome  of  all  the 
principles  of  order.  4.  In  factions,  the  most 
ignorant  are  always  the  most  violent.  5. 
The  good  man  has  God  in  his  heart,  when 
he  is  not  in  his  mouth  :  but  the  hypocrite — 
has  God  in  his  mouth,  without  having  him 
in  his  heart.  6.  It  is  some  hope  of  good- 
ness, not  to  grow  worse  ;  but  it  is  a  part  of 
badness,  not  to  grow  better.  7.  Why  should 
we  seek — that  love,  that  cannot  profit  us,  or 
fear — that  malice,  that  cannot  hurt  us  ? 

WARREN'S  ADDRESS  AT  THE  BUNKER  HILL  BATTLE. 

Stand  !  the  ground's  your  own,  my  braves ! 
Will  ye  give  it  up  to  slaves? 
Will  ye  look  for  greener  graves  1 

Hope  ye  mercy  still  ? 
What's  the  mercy  despots  feel ! 
Hear  it — in  that  battle  peal ! 
Read  it — on  yon  bristling  steel ! 

Jlsk  it — ye  who  will. 
Fear  ye  foes  who  kill  for  hire  ? 
Will  ye  to  your  homes  retire? 
Look  behind  you  !  they're  afire  ! 

And  before  you,  see 
Who  have  done  it! — From  the  vale — 
On  they  come ! — and  will  ye  quail  ? 
Leaden  rain  and  iron  hail 

Let  their  welcome  be  ! 
In  the  God  of  battles  trust ! 
Die  we  may — and  die  we  must : — 
But,  O  !  where — can  dust — to  dust 

Be  consigned  so  well, 
As  where  heavens-its  dews  shall  shed 
On  the  martyr'd  patriot's  bed, 
And  the  rocks  shall  raise  their  head, 

Of  his  deeds  to  tell .'  [pierpont. 


58 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


158.  An  accurate  knowledge,  of  these  ele- 
mentary sounds,  which  constitute  our  vocal 
alphabet,  and  the  exact  co-operation  of  the 
appropriate  organs  to  give  them  truly,  are 
essential  to  the  attainment  of  a  good  and  ef- 
ficient elocution.  Therefore,  be  resolved  to 
understand  them  thoroughly;  and,  in  your 
various  efforts  to  accomplish  this  important 
object,  give  precision  and  full  force  to  every 
sound,  and  practice  faithfully,  and  often,  the 
difficult  and  rapid  changes  of  the  vocal  pow- 
ers, required  by  the  enunciation  of  a  quick 
succession  of  the  musc/e-breakers. 

159.  The  sound  of  Y,  when  a  conso- 
nant ;  YE  •  the  year-ling  young- 
ster, yelled  for  the  yel-lovr  yolk, 
yes-ter-night,  and  yearn-ed  in  the 
yard  o-ver  the  year-book  till  he 
yex'd:  the  yoke  yields  to  your 
t/ear-ling,  which  yearns  for  the  yar-rov/  in 
the  yawls;  you  yerk'd  your  yeast  from  the 
yawn-ing  v/co-man  yes-ter-rtay,  and  yet  your- 
self, of  yore,  yea,  tho'  young,  yearn-ed  o-ver 
the  yes-ty  yawn :  Mr.  Yew,  did  you  say,  or 
did  you  not  say,  what  I  said  you  said  !  be- 
cause Mr.  Yewyaw  said  you  never  said  what 
I  said  you  said :  now,  if  you  say  that  you 
did  not  say,  what  I  said  you  said,  then  pray 
what  did  you  sayl 

160.  The  first  step  to  improvement  is,  to 
awaken  the  desire  of  improvement :  whatev- 
er interests  the  heart,  and  excites  the  imagi- 
nation, will  do  this.  The  second  is  a  clear 
and  distinct  classification  of  the  principles, 
on  which  an  art  is  based,  and  an  exact  ex- 
pression of  them,  in  accordance  with  this 
classification ;  indeed,  all  the  arts  and  scien- 
ces should  be  seen  in  definite  delineations, 
thro'  a  language  which  cannot  well  be  mis- 
understood. 

161.  Irregulars.  E,  I,  J,  and  U,  occa- 
sionally have  this  sound ;  £w-rope  aMen-ates 
the  con-spic-u-ous  cwZ/-ure  of  her  na-iads, 
and,  like  a  dis-guised  creat-nie,  eu-lo-gi-ses 
her  ju-nior  court-iers  for  their  rmHiant  gen- 
ius :  the  virt-u-ous  christ-'mn  sold-ier,  in  spir- 
it-u-al  un-ion  with  the  mill-ions  of  JVai-ure, 
shouts  with  eu-cha-m-tic  grand-em,  eu-pho- 
ni-ous  hal-le-lu-jahs,  which  are  fiwnii-iar-ly 
read,  throughout  the  vol-ume  of  the  U-ni- 
verse. 

Notes.  To  give  this  vocal  sound,  nearly  close  the  teeth, 
wifci  the  lips  turned  out  as  in  making  long  e,  (see  engraving,)  and 
drawlingly  pronounce  the  word  yet,  protracting  the  sound  of  the 

„  diU9)  y ct ;  y on.    2.  For  the  two  other  sounds  of  y,  see 

tbe  two  sounds  of  t ;  rhyme,  hymn ;  isle,  ile.  3.  Fis  a  consonant  at 
the  beginning  of  a  word  or  syllable,  except  in  y-clad,  (e-ctad,)  y- 
elept,  te-clrpt)  y -ri-a,  (it-ri-a,)  Yp-si-Zan-ti,  (Ip-si-tan-ti,)  the  name 
of  a  town  in  Michigan.  4.  In  produce,  u  has  its  name  sound  ; 
and  in  uol-uine,  it  has  this  anirso-nant  sound  of  y  preceding  it; 
in  the  first,  it  is  preceded  by  an  abrupt  element:  in  the  second,  by 
in  open  one. 

If  I  could  find  some  cave  unknown, 
Where  human  feet  have  never  trod, 

Even  there— I  could  not  be  alone, 
On  every  side— there  would  be  God. 


Proverbs.  1.  The  shorter  answer — is  doing 
the  tiling.    2.  You  cannot  quench  fire  with  tow. 

3.  There   is  no  general  rule  without  exceptions. 

4.  Happiness — is  not  in  a  cottage,  nor  in  a  palace, 
nor  in  riches,  nor  in  poverty,  nor  in  learning,  nor 
in  ignorance,  nor  in  active,  nor  in  passive  life  ; 
but  in  doing  right,  from  right  motives.  5.  Good 
intention — is  not  reformation.  6.  It  is  se\(-co?iceit, 
that  makes  a  man  obstinate.  7.  To  cure  a  fit  of 
passion,  walk  out  in  the  open  air.  8.  Idle  men 
are  dead,  all  their  lives  long.  9.  If  you  would 
know  the  value  of  money,  earn  it.  10.  Hearts 
may  agree,  tho'  heads — differ.  11.  Beware  of 
flirting  and  coquetry.  12.  There  is  no  place  like 
home.    13.  He  that  is  warm,  thinks  others  so. 

Anecdote.  A  Vain  Mother.  As  a  lady 
— was  viewing  herself  in  a  looking-g\ass, 
she  said  to  her  daughter  :  "  What  would 
you  give — to  be  as  handsome  as  /  am?" 
"  Just  as  much,  (replied  the  daughter,)  as 
you  would,  to  be  as  young  as  /  am." 

The  Poor.  How  few,  even  of  professing 
christians,  are  aware  of  the  pleasure,  arising 
from  contributing  to  the  support  of  the  poor  ! 
Is  it  not  more  blessed  to  give — than  to  re- 
ceive ?  But  there  are  alms  for  the  mind — as 
well  as  for  the  body.  If  we  duly  considered 
our  relations,  and  our  destinies,  instead  of 
giving  grudgingly,  or  wanting  to  be  called 
upon,  we  should  go  out  in  search  of  the  des- 
titute and  ignorant,  and  feel  that  we  were  per- 
forming the  most  acceptable  service  to  God, 
while  sharing  the  gifts  of  his  providence  with 
our  fellow-beings,  who  are  as  precious  in  his 
sight — as  we  fancy  ourselves  to  be:  for  he 
does  not  regard  any  from  their  external  situ- 
ation, but  altogether  from  their  internal  state. 

Varieties.  1.  American  independence — 
was  acknowledged  by  Great  Britain,  Jan. 
19,  1783  ;  and  the  treaty  of  Ghent  signed, 
Dec.  24,  1814.  2.  Never  do  an  act,  of 
which  you  doubt  the  justice.  3.  Nothing 
can  be  a  real  blessing,  or  curse,  to  the  soul, 
that  is  not  made  its  own  by  appropriation. 

4.  Let  every  man  be  the  champion  of  right. 

5.  How  sharper — than  a  serpent's  tooth  it  is 
to  have  a  thankless  child.  6.  All  science  has 
its  foundation  in  experience.  7.  Happy  are 
the  miseries  that  end  in  joy;  and  blessed  are 
the  joys,  that  have  no  end. 

Ay,  I  have  planned  full  many  a  sanguine  scheme 
Of  earthly  happiness;     *     *    * 

And  it  is  hard 
To  feel  the  hand  of  death— arrest  one's  steps. 
Throw  a  chill  blight — on  all  one's  budding  hopes, 
And  hurl  one's  soul,  untimely,  to  the  shades. 
Lost  in  the  gaping  gulf  of  blank  oblivion. 

Fifty  years  hence,  and  w  ho  will  think  of  Henry? 

Oh,  none!— another  busy  brood  of  beings 
Will  shoot  up  in  the  interim,  and  none 
Will  hold  him  in  remembrance. — 

/shall  sink, 
As  sinks  a  stranger— in  the  crowded  streets 
Of  busy  London  .-—some  short  bustle's  caused, 
A  few  inquiries,  and  the  crowd  close  in, 
And  all's  forgotten.  [h.  k.  white. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


59 


162.  Many  consider  elocution  merely  as  an 
accomplishment,  and  that  a  desultory,  in- 
stead of  a  systematic  attention,  is  all  that  is 
necessary.  A  regular,  scientific  and  progres- 
sive course,  in  this  as  well  as  every  thing  else, 
is  the  only  correct,  effectual,  and  rapid  mode 
of  proceeding.  If  improvement  be  the  object, 
whether  we  devote  little,  or  much  attention, 
to  a  pursuit,  be  it  mental  or  manual,  system 
and  method  are  absolutely  essential :  order — 
is  heaven 'sfirst,  and  last  law. 

163.  One  of  tlie  tnree  sounds  of  Ch  ; 
which  may  be  represented  by  tch  : 
CHANGE;  the  eheat  choked  a 
child  for  choos-ing  to  chop  a  chump  //,  ^ 
of  chives  for  the  arch-deacon  of  '  n*^"'  ) 
Green-vtich:  a  chap  chased  a  [CH  in  chip.] 
chick-en  into  the  church,  and  the  churl-ish 
cAap-lain  check'd  it  for  char-i-ty ;  the  Sa- 
chem of  IFboZ-wich,  chuck-led  over  the  ur- 
chin's ehit-chsd,  and  snatched  his  rich  peach- 
es, and  pinch'd  them  to  chow-der;  the  chief 
of  iVw-wich,  charm'd  by  the  chaunt-mg  of 
the  chirp-'mg  chough,  chafed  his  chil-ly  chin 
by  touch-mg  it  on  the  chal-ky  chim-ney: 
three  chub-by  chil-dren,  in  Richfield,  were 
each  choked  with  choice  chunks  of  cheese, 
much  of  which  Sancho  Panza  purchased  of 
Charles  Chickering  on  Chimborazo. 

164.  In  all  cases  of  producing  sounds,  ob- 
serve the  different  positions  of  the  organs, 
and  remember,  that  the  running  through  with 
the  forty-four  sounds  of  our  language,  is 
like  running  up  the  keys  of  an  instrument, 
to  see  if  all  is  right:  be  satisfied  with  nothing, 
short  of  a  complete  mastery  over  the  whole 
subject.  Be  very  particular  in  converting  all 
the  breath  that  escapes  into  sound,  when  rea- 
ding or  singing;  and  remember,  that  the 
purer  the  sound,  the  easier  it  may  be  made ; 
the  less  will  be  the  injury  to  the  vocal  organs, 
the  farther  it  will  be  heard,  and  with  the 
more  pleasure  will  it  be  listened  to.  Do  not 
forget  the  end,  the  cause,  and  the  effect. 

Notes.  1.  To  produce  this  most  unpleasant  triphthongal 
sound  in  our  language,  close  the  teeth,  and,  as  you  suddenly  separ- 
ate them,  whisper  chu,  (u  short,)  and  you  will  accomplish  the  ob- 
ject. 2.  In  dracftm,  the  ch,  are  silent.  3.  Always  try  to  improve 
the  sounds  as  well  as  your  voice.  4.  Quinctilian  says,  in  recom- 
mending a  close  attention  to  the  study  of  the  simple  elements, 
"whoever  will  enter  into  the  inmost  recesses  of  this  sacred  edifice, 
will  find  many  things,  not  only  proper  to  sharpen  the  ingenuity  of 
children,  but  able  to  exercise  the  most  profound  erudition,  and  the 
deepest  science :"  indeed,  they  are  the  fountains  in  the  science  of 
aound  and  vocal  modulation. 

Anecdote.  Principal  —  Interest.  A 
debtor,  when  asked  to  pay  his  creditor,  ob- 
served to  him  :  that  "it  was  not  his  interest 
to  pay  the  -principal,  nor  his  principle  to  pay 
the  interest."  What  do  you  think  of  such 
a  man? 

Unhappy  he,  who  lets  a  lender  heart, 
Bound  to  him — by  the  ties  of  earliest  love, 
Fall  from  him,  by  his  own  neglect,  and  die, 
Because  it  met  no  kindness. 


Proverbs.  1.  Humility  —  gains  more  than 
pride.  2.  Never  be  weary  in  well-duing.  3.  Ex- 
pect nothing  of  those  who  promise  a  great  deal. 
•1.  Grieving  for  misfortunes,  is  adding  gall  to 
mormwood.  5.  He,  who  would  catch  fish,  must 
not  mind  getting  wet.  6  He  that  by  the  plow 
would  thrive,  must  either  hold,  himself,  or  drive. 
7.  Idleness  —  is  the  greatest  prodigality  in  the 
■world.  8.  If  the  counsel  be  good,  no  matter  who 
gave  it.  9.  Occupation — cures  one  half  of  life's 
troubles,  and  mitigates  the  other.  10.  We  bear 
no  afflictions  so  patiently  as  those  of  others.  11. 
Let  JVature  have  her  perfect  work.  12.  Soft 
hands,  and  soft  brains,  generally  go  together. 

To  speak  of  Howard,  the  philanthropist, 
without  calling  to  mind  the  eloquent  eulo- 
gium,  in  which  Burke  has  embalmed  his 
memory,  would  be  as  impossible — as  it  woirld 
be  to  read  that  eulogium  without  owning  that 
human  virtue  never  received  a  more  illus- 
trious manifestation.  "  Howard,"  said  the 
orator,  "  was  a  man,  who  traversed  foreign 
countries,  not  to  survey  the  sumptuousness 
of  palaces,  or  the  stateliness  of  temples  ;  not 
to  make  accurate  measurements  of  the  re- 
mains of  ancient  grandeur,  nor  to  form  a 
scale  of  the  curiosity  of  modern  art  ;  not  to 
collect  medals,  or  manuscripts  ;  but,  to  dive 
into  the  depths  of  dungeons  ;  to  plunge  in 
the  infection  of  hospitals ;  to  survey  the 
mansions  of  sorrow  and  pain;  to  take  the 
guage  and  dimensions  of  misery,  depression, 
and  contempt  ;  to  remember  the  forsaken  ; 
and  to  compare  and  collate  the  distresses  of 
all  men,  under  all  climes."  In  the  prose- 
cution of  this  god-like  work,  Howard  made 
"  a  voyage  of  discovery,  a  circumnavigation 
of  charity,"  and  at  last — fell  a  victim  to  his 
humanity;  for,  in  administering  medicine  to 
some  poor  wretches  in  the  hospital  at  Cher- 
son,  in  the  Crimea,  he  caught  a  malignant 
fever,  and  died  in  the  glorious  work  of  bene- 
volence.    Thus  fell  the  man  who — 

"Girding  creation — in  one  warm  embrace, 
Outstretch'd  his  savior-arm — frompote  to  pole, 
And  felt  akin — to  all  the  human  race," 

Varieties.  1.  To  promote  an  unworthy 
person — disgraces  humanity.  2.  Read  not 
boo ks  alone,  but  men;  and,  especially,  thy- 
self. 3.  The  human  mind  is  a  mirror — of 
the  incomprehensible  Divinity.  4.  No  one 
need  despair  of  being  happy.  5.  The  rea- 
son, that  many  persons  want  their  desires, 
is — because  their  desires  want  reason.  6. 
Passions — act  as  wind,  to  propel  our  vessel ; 
and  our  reason — is  the  pilot  that  steers  her : 
without  the  wind,  we  could  not  move,  and 
without  the  pilot,  we  should  be  lost.  7. 
The  more  genuine — the  truths  are,  which 
we  receive,  the  purer  will  be  the  good,  that 
is  found  in  the  life ;  if  the  truths  are  applied 
to  their  real  and  proper  uses. 

What,  then,  remains,  but  well  our  power  to  use, 

And  keep  good  humor  still,  uihatCer  we  lose  ? 

And  trust  me,  dear,  good  humor  can  prevail, 

When  airs,  and  flights,  and  screams,  and  scolding—  fail : 

Beauties — in  vain,  their  pretty  eyes  may  roll ; 

Charms— strike  the  sight ;  but  merit— wins  the  soul. 


60 


PRINCIPLES  OP  ELOCUTION. 


165.  Vowel  sounds  are  all  formed  in  the 
iabtnx  ;  and,  on  their  emission,  the  articu- 
lating organs  modify  them  into  words. 
These  words  constitute  language,  which  is 
used,  by  common  consent,  as  signs  of  ideas  ; 
or  as  mediums  for  the  manifestation  of 
thought  and  feeling  :  it  may  be  written,  or 
spoken,  ;  and  the  natural  results  are — books, 
papers  and  conversation :  by  means  of  which, 
the  conceptions  and  affections  of  human 
minds  are  made  known  and  perpetuated. 

166.  Tli  have  two  sounds ;  first  a  lisp- 
ing sound ;  THIN :  a  thief  thirst-      \j^uy, 
eth  for  the   path  of  death,  and   /  ^Jj^'  \ 
tvin-keth  at  his  thank-less  thefts,  [  £«gjg§|^ 
as  the  a-the-ist  doth  of  the-o-ret- 

.-cal  truth;  forth-with  the  thrift-  [TH  in  thin.] 
less  throng,  threw  thongs  over  the  mouth  of 
Frith  of  Fourth,  and  thwar-ted  the  wratli  of 
the  thril-lmg  thun-dex;  faith,  quoth  the 
youth,  to  the  Pro-//wm-o-ta-ry,  the  bath  is  my 
berth,  the  hearth  is  my  cloth,  and  the  heath 
is  my  throne. 

167.  Ventriloquism.  In  analyzing  the 
sounds  of  our  letters,  and  practicing  them 
upon  different  pitches,  and  with  different 
qualities  of  voice,  the  author  ascertained  that 
this  amusing  art  can  be  acquired  and  prac- 
ticed, by  almost  any  one  of  common  organi- 
zation. It  has  been  generally  supposed  that 
ventriloquists  possessed  a  different  set  of  or- 
gans from  most  people ;  or,  at  least,  that  they 
were  differently  constituted ;  but  this  is  alto- 
gether a  misapprehension :  as  well  might  we 
say  that  the  singer  is  differently  constituted 
from  one  who  does  not  sing.  They  have  the 
same  organs,  but  one  has  better  command  of 
them  than  the  other.  It  is  not  asserted  that 
all  can  become  equally  eminent  in  these  arts ; 
for  there  will  be  at  least,  three  grand  divis- 
ions; viz,  good,  better  and  BEST. 

168.  The  Thistle  Sifter.  Theophilus  This- 
tle, the  successful  thistle  sifter,  in  sifting  a 
sieve  full  of  unsifted  thistles,  thrust  three 
thousand  thistles  thro'  the  thick  of  his 
thumb:  if  then  Theophilus  Thistle,  the  suc- 
cessful thistle  sifter,  in  sifting  a  sieve  full  of 
unsifted  thistles,  thrust  three  thousand  this- 
tles thro'  the  thick  of  his  thumb;  see  that 
thou,  in  sifting  a  sieve  full  of  unsifted  this- 
tles, dost  not  thrust  three  thousand  thistles 
through  the  thick  of  thy  thumb:  success  to 
the  successful  thistle  sifter,  who  doth  not  get 

"  the  thistles  in  his  tongue. 

Notes.  1.  To  make  tilts  lisping  diphthongal  sound,  press 
'he  tongue  against  the  upper  front  teeth,  and  let  the  breath  pass 
UGfl  the  word  path,  and  dwell  on  the  th 
jound;  iee engraving.  2.  Toavoid  lisping,  draw  the  tongue  back 
so  as  not  to  tourh  the  teeth,  and  take  words  beginning  with  s,  or  st; 
see  the  first  sound  of  C  for  examples.  3.  Why  should  this  sound  be 
called  sharp,  rather  than  dull?  4.  Exactness  in  articulating  every 
vocal  letter,  is  more  important  than  correct  spelling  in  composi- 
tion; for  the  former  is  addressed  to  hundreds  at  the  same  instant, 
while  the  latter  is  submitted  to  one  or  a  few  at  a  time. 


Proverbs.  1.  Youth — indulges  in  hope  ;  old 
age — in  remembrance.  2.  One  half  of  the  world 
delights  in  uttering-  slander,  and  the  other — in 
hearing  it.  3.  V irtve— is  the  only  tiiie  nobility. 
4.  To  bless,  is  to  be  bless'd.  5.  Pleasures — are 
rendered  bitter,  by  being  abused.  6.  Quarrels — 
would  not  last  long,  if  the  faults  all  lay  on  one 
side.  7.  True  merit — is  dependent,  neither  on 
season,  nor  on  fashion.  8.  Hypocrisy  —  is  the 
homage,  which  vice — renders  to  virtue.  9.  The 
law — imposes  on  no  one  impossibilities.  10.  Con- 
tempt of  injuries,  is  proof  of  a  great  mind.  11. 
What  !  hope  for  honey  from  a  nest  of  wasps  ? 
12.  Shall  we  creep  like  snails,  or  fly  like  eagles  ? 

Anecdote.  A  stranger — went  into  a 
church-yard,  where  two  children  were  set- 
ting out  flowers  on  some  graves.  "  Whose 
graves  are  these?"  said  he.  "Father,  mo- 
ther, and  little  Johnny  lie  here."  "  Why  do 
you  set  the  flowers  here  ?"said  the  stranger. 
They  looked  at  him  with  tears,  and  said — 
"  We  do  love  them  so." 

Human  ambition  and  human  policy — labor 
after  happiness  in  vain ; — goodness — is  the 
only  foundation  to  build  on.  The  wisdom 
of  past  ages — declares  this  truth  ; — our  own 
observation  confirms  it ; — and  all  the  world. 
acknowledge  it ; — yet  how  few,  how  very 
few — are  willing  to  act  upon  it !  If  the  in- 
ordinate love  of  wealth — and  parade — be  not 
checked  among  us,  it  will  be  the  ruin  of  our 
country — as  it  has  been,  and  will  be,  the 
ruin  ot  thousands  of  others.  But  there  are 
always  two  sides  to  a  question.  If  it  is  per- 
nicious—  to  make  money  and  style  —  the 
standard  of  respectability, — it  is  injurious — 
and  wro?tg — to  foster  prejudice  against  the 
wealthy  and  fashionable.  Poverty  —  and 
wealth — have  different  temptations  ;  but  they 
are  equally  strong.  The  rich — are  tempted 
to  pride — and  insolence  ;  the  poor — to  jeal- 
ousy— and  envy.  The  envious  and  discon- 
tented poor,  invariably  become  haughty — 
and  over-bearing,  when  they  become  rich  ; 
for  selfishness — is  equally  at  the  bottom — of 
these  opposite  evils. 

Varieties.  1.  The  battle  of  New  Or- 
leans, was  fought  Jan.  8th,  1815.  2.  A 
flatterer,  is  the  shadow  of  a  fool.  3.  You 
cannot  truly  love,  and  ought  not  to  be  loved, 
if  you  ask  any  thing,  that  virtue  condemns. 
5.  Do  men  exert  a  greater  influence  on  so- 
ciety than  women  ?  5.  Self- exaltation,  is  the 
worst  posture  of  the  spirit.  6.  A  principle 
of  unity,  without  a  subject  of  unity,  cannot 
exist.  7.  Where  is  the  wisdom,  in  saying  to 
a  child,  be  a  man  ?  Attempt  not  what  God 
cannot  countenance;  but  wait,  and  all  things 
will  be  brought  forth  in  their  due  season. 

Deceit !  thy  reigu  is  short :  Hypocrisy, 
However  gaily  dress'd — in  specious  garb. 
In  witching  eloquence,  or  winning  smiles, 
Allures— but  for  a  time :  Truth— lifts  the  veil, 
She  lights  her  torch,  and  places  it  on  high. 
To  spre-td  intelligence — to  all  around. 
How  shrinks  the  fawning  slave— hypocrisy- 
Then,  when  the  specious  veil— is  rent  in  twain, 
Which  scrmi'd  the  hideous  monster— from  ourui'cur  / 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


61 


169.  Enunciation— is  the  utterance  and 
combination  of  the  elements  of  language,  and 
the  consequent  formation  of  syllables,  words, 
&c,  as  contradistinguished  from  the  tones, 
and  tuning  of  the  voice,  and  all  that  belongs 
to  the  melody  of  speech.  A  perfect  enuncia- 
tion— consists  in  the  accurate  formation  of 
the  sounds  of  the  letters,  by  right  motions 
and  positions  of  the  organs,  accompanied  by 
a  proper  degree  of  energy,  to  impress  those 
elements  fully  and  distinctly  on  the  ear;  and 
the  act  of  combining  and  linking  those  to- 
gether, so  as  to  form  them  into  words,  capa- 
ble of  being  again  combined  into  clauses 
and  sentences,  for  the  full  conveyance  of  our 
ideas  and  determinations. 

170.  Tlie  second  sound  of  th,  is  tlie 
vocal  lisping:  THAT;    thou 

saidst  the  truths  are  thine,  and  A"*Yr"*y  x 
the  youths  say  they  are  theirs  /(^nS^jA 
who  walk  therein ;  fath-er  and  ^"^^±5^"  / 
moth-ex  bathe  dai-ly,  and  their 
clothes  and  hearths  are  wor-thy  tTH  in  that.] 
of  them ;  broth-ex  says,  where-with-al  shall  I 
smoothe  the  scythe,  to  cut  the  laths  to  stop 
the  mouths  of  the  moths  with-out  bc-ing  both- 
ered ]  they  gath-er  wreaths  be-neath  the  baths, 
and  sheathe  their  swords  with  swath-ing 
bands,  rather  than  make  a  blith-some  pother. 

171.  Jaw-breakers.  Thou  wreath'd'st 
and  muzzPd'st  the  far-fetched  ox,  and  im- 
prison,d,st  him  in  the  volcanic  Mexican 
mountain  of  Pop-o-cetf-a-po'l  in  Co-ti-paaM. 
Thou  p?-ob,d,st  my  rack'd  ribs.  Thou  tri- 
fiUVst  with  his  acts,  that  thou  blacK'n'st  and 
contaminated'' st  with  his  filch'd  character. 
Thou  lovWst  the  elves  when  thou  heard'st 
and  quick'd'n'st  my  heart's  tuneful  harps. 
Thou  wagg'd'st  thy  prop'd  up  head,  because 
thou  thrust'd'st  three  hundred  and  thirty 
three  thistles  thro'  the  thick  of  that  thumb, 
that  thou  cur'd'st  of  the  barb'd  shafts. 

Notes.  1.  To  make  this  diphthongal  vocal  sound,  place 
the  organs  as  ill  the  preceding  th,  and  then  add  the  voice  sound, 
which  can  he  made  only  in  the  larynx.  2.  The  terms  sharp  and 
fiat,  as  applied  to  sound,  are  not  sufficiently  definite;  we  might  as 
well  speak  of  square,  round  and  dull  sounds;  at  the  same  time  it  is 
often  convenient  to  use  such  terms,  in  order  to  convey  our  ideas. 
S.  If  you  liave  imperfections  of  articulation,  set  apart  an  hour  eve- 
ry day  for  practice,  indirect  reference  to  your  specific  defects  ;  and 
80  of  every  other  fault ;  particularly,  of  rapid  utterance:  this  can 
he  done  either  alone,  or  in  company  of  those  who  can  assist  you. 

Sky,  mountains,  rivers,  winds,  lakes,  lightnings  ! — Ye, 
"With  ntgftt,  and  clouds,  and  thunder,  and  a  soul 
To  make  these  jdt  and  feeling  ;  the  far  roll 
Of  your  departing  voices — is  the  knell 
Of  what  in  me  is  sleepless — if  I  rest. 

*  *  » 

Could  I  imbody  and  unbosom  now 
That  which  is  most  within  me— could  I  wreak 
My  thoughts  upon  expression,  and  thus  throw 
Soul,  heart,  mind,  passions,  feelings  strong  or  weak, 
All  that  I  would  have  sought,  and  all  I  seek, 
Bear,  know,  feel,  and  yet  brealhe, — into  o?ic  word, 
And  that  one  word  were  lightning,  I  would  speak  !— 
But— as  it  is— I  live,  and  die,  unheard, 
With  a  most  voiceless  thought,  sheathing  it  as  a  sword. 


Proverbs.  1.  A  promise  performed,  is  pre- 
ferable to  one  made.  2.  It  will  not  always  be 
summer.  3.  Make  hay,  while  the  sun  shines. 
4.  Cut  your  coat  according  to  the  cloth.  5.  Pride 
— costs  us  more  than  hunger,  thirst,  or  cold.  6. 
Never  spend  your  money  before  you  have  it.  7. 
Never  trouble  another,  for  what  you  can  do  your- 
self. 8.  Slanderers — are  the  Devil's  bellows,  to 
blowup  contention.  9.  The  loquacity  of  fools — 
is  a  lecture  to  the  wise.  10.  Vows  made  in 
storms,  are  forgotten  in  calms.  11.  We  must  form 
our  characters  for  both  worlds.  12.  Progress — 
is  the  great  law  of  our  being. 

A  Puzzle.  Here's  a  health  to  all  those 
that  we  love  ;  and  a  health  to  all  those  that 
love  ms  ;  and  a  health  to  all  them,  that  love 
those,  that  love  them,  that  love  them  that  love 
those  that  love  us. 

Anecdote.  Half  Mourning.  A  little 
girl,  hearing  her  mother  observe  to  another 
lady,  that  she  was  going  into  half mourning ; 
inquired,  whether  any  of  her  relations  were 
half  dead  ? 

What  is  Ours.  It  is  not  those,  who 
have  riches  in  their  possession,  that  are  real- 
ly rich  ;  but  they,  who  possess,  and  use  them 
aright,  and  thereby  enjoy  them.  Is  he  a 
true  christian,  who  has  a  Bible  in  his  posses- 
sion, but  does  not  live  by  the  Bible?  Is 
he  a  genuine  christian,  who  reads,  but  does 
not  understand  the  word,  and,  from  under- 
standing, practice  it  ?  As  well  may  one 
say,  that  they  are  rich,  who  have  borrowed 
money  from  others,  or  have  the  properly  of 
others  in  their  possession.  What  do  we 
think  of  those,  who  go  dressed  in  fine  clothes 
or  ride  in  splendid  carriages,  while  none  of 
these  things  are  their  own  property  ?  Know- 
ledges, or  truths — stored  up  in  the  memory, 
are  not  ours,  really  and  truly,  unless  we  re- 
duce them  to  practice  :  they  are  like  hear- 
says of  great  travelers,  of  which  nolhing 
more  than  the  sound  reaches  us.  Under- 
standi7ig — does  not  make  the  man,  but  un- 
derstanding and  doing,  mliving  accordingly. 
There  must  be  an  appropriation  of  know- 
ledge and  truth — by  the  affections,  in  deeds, 
or  they  are  of  no  avail:  "Faith,  without 
works,  is  dead  :"  the  same  principle  applies 
to  a  society,  and  to  a  church. 

Varieties.  1.  Burgoyne —  surrendered, 
Oct.  17,  1777,  and  Cornwallis,  Oct.  19,  '81. 
2.  Happy  is  that  people  whose  rulers — rule 
in  the  fear  of  Got?.  3.  Remember  the  past, 
consider  the  present,  and  provide  for  the  fu- 
ture. 4.  He,  who  marries  for  wealth,  sells 
his  happiness  for  half  price.  5.  The  covet- 
ous person  is  always  poor.  6.  If  you  would 
avoid  wants,  attend  to  every  thing  below  you, 
around  you,  within  you.  and  above  you.  7. 
All  the  works  of  natural  creation,  are  ex- 
hibited to  us,  that  we  may  know  the  nature 
of  the  spiritual,  and  eternal;  all  things 
speak,  and  are  a  language. 
He  was  not  born — to  shame  ; 
Upon  his  brow — shame — is  ashamed  to  sit; 
For  'tis  a  throne,  where  honor — may  be  crowned 
Sole  monarch — of  the  universal  earth. 


62 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


172.  The  chief  source  of  indistinctness  is 
precipitancy ;  which  arises  from  the  bad 
method  of  teaching  to  read :  the  child  not  be- 
ing taught  the  true  beauty  and  propriety  of 
reading,  thinks  all  excellence  consists  in 
quickness  and  rapidity.-  to  him  the  prize 
seems  destined  to  the  swift ;  for  he  sets  out 
at  a  gallop,  and  continues  his  speed  to  the 
end,  regardless  of  how  many  tetters,  or  sylla- 
bles,  he  omits  by  the  way,  or  how  many 
words  he  runs  together.  "  0  reform  it  alto- 
gether." 

173.  Wli  have  one  sound;  WHALE  ; 
wherefore  are  ivhet-stones  made     ^_^j 
of  whirl-wrnds,  and  iwftip-lashes         ( 

of  whirl-pools  1    Why  does  that  i(^~^^ 
whimsical  whis-tler  whee-dle  the  \  C\^Y>/ 
whip-por-wills     with     wheat1! 
Whi-lom  the  wheels  whipped  I"™  in  whip.] 
the  whif-fte-trce,  and  )Mt'r-tle-bcr-ries  were 
ivhite-vf ashed  for  wheat;  the  whim-peT-'mg 
ruhi-rimg  whelp,  which  the  whigs  whi-ten- 
ed  on  the  wharf  was  whelmed  into  a  whirl- 
i-gig  as  a  w Aim-wham  for  a  wheet-barxovt  of 
whis-ky. 

174.  Causes  of  Hoarseness.  Hoarseness, 
in  speaking,  is  produced  by  the  emission  of 
more  breath  than  is  converted  into  sound; 
which  may  be  perceived  by  whispering  a  few 
minutes.  The  reason,  why  the  breath  is  not 
converted  into  sound,  in  thus  speaking,  is, 
that  the  thorax,  (or  lungs,)  is  principally 
used ;  and  when  this  is  the  case,  there  is  al- 
ways an  expansion  of  the  chest,  and  conse- 
quently, a  lack  of  power  to  produce  sounds 
in  a  natural  manner .-  therefore,  some  of  the 
breath,  on  its  emission  through  the  glottis, 
over  the  epiglottis,  and  through  the  back 
part  of  the  mouth,  chafes  up  their  surfaces, 
producing  a  swelling  of  the  muscles  in  those 
parts,  and  terminating  in  what  is  called 
hoarseness. 

Notes.  1.  This  diphthongal  aspirate  may  be  easily  made, 
dy  whispering  the  imaginary  word  whu,  (u  short,)  prolonging  it  a 
little.  2.  Since  a  diphthong  is  a  double  sound  and  a  triphthong  a 
triple  sound,  there  is  as  much  propriety  in  applying  the  term  to 
consonants,  as  to  vowels.  3.  Let  the  pupil,  in  revising,  point  out 
all  the  Monothongs,  Diphthongs,  Triphthongs,  and  Polythongs.  4. 
Make  and  keep  a  list  of  all  your  deficiencies  in  speech  aud  sr  ng, 
and  practice  daily  for  suppressing  them  :  especially,  in  articulation, 
and  false  intonations  ;  and  never  rest  satisfied  unless  you  can  per- 
ceive a  progress  towards  perfection  at  every  exercise, — for  all 
principles  are  immortal,  and  should  be  continually  developing 
themselves. 

How  sleep  the  brave,  who  sink  to  re3t 
With  all  their  country's  wishes  blest ! 
When  Spring-,  with  dewy  fingers  cold, 
Returns— to  derk  their  hallow 'd  mould, 
She  there  shall  dress  a  sweeter  sod 
Than  Fancy's  feet  have  ever  trod  : 
By  Fairy  hands— their  knell  iz  rung, 
By  forms  vnseen — their  dirge  is  sung  ; 
There—  Honor  comes,  a  pilgrim  sray, 
To  bless  the  turf,  that  wraps  their  clay  ; 
And  Freedom— shall  a  while  repair 
To  dwell,  a  weeping  hermit,  there. 


Proverbs.  1.  Self-eraltation —  is  the  fool's 
paradise.  2.  That,  which  is  bitter  to  endure,  may 
be  sweet  to  remember.  3.  The  fool— is  busy  in 
every  one's  business  but  his  own.  4.  We  may 
give  advice,  but  we  cannot  give  conduct.  5. 
Where  reason  —  rules,  appetite  —  obeys.  6.  You 
will  never  repent  of  being  patient  and  sober.  7. 
Zeal,  without  knowledge,  is  like  fire  without  light. 
8.  Law-makers,  should  not  be  law-breakers.  9. 
Might — does  not  make  right.  10.  The  greater 
the  man,  the  greater  the  crime.  11.  No  one  lives 
for  himself.  12.  No  one  can  tell  how  much  he 
can  accomplish,  till  he  tries. 

Anecdote.  Wine.  Said  a  Rev.  guest  to 
a  gentleman,  wiih  whom  he  was  dining,  and 
who  was  a  temperance,  man:  ''I  always 
think  a  certain  quantity  of  wine  does  no 
harm,  after  a  good  dimier."  "  O  no  sir," 
replied  mine  host;  "it  is  the  wwcertain 
quantity  that  does  the  mischief. 

Winter  Evenings.  This  seems  pro- 
vided, as  if  expressly  for  the  purpose — of 
furnishing  those  who  labor,  with  ample  op- 
portunity for  the  impi ovement  of  their  minds. 
The  severity  of  the  weather,  and  the  short- 
ness of  the  day,  necessarily  limit  the  pro- 
portion of  time,  which  is  devoted  to  out-door 
industry ;  and  there  is  little  to  tempt  us 
abroad — in  search  of  amusement.  Every 
thing  seems  to  invite  us — to  employ  an 
hour  or  two — of  this  calm  and  quiet  season, 
in  the  acquisition  of  useful  knowledge,  and 
the  cultivation  of  the  mind.  The  noise  of 
life  is  hushed  ;  the  pavement  ceases  to  re- 
sound with  the  din  of  laden  wheels,  and  the 
tread  of  busy  men  ;  the  glowing  sun  has 
gone  down,  and  the  moon  and  the  stars  are 
left  to  watch  in  the  heavens,  over  the  slum- 
bers of  the  peaceful  creation.  The  mind  oi 
man — should  keep  its  vigils  with  them  ;  and 
while  his  body — is  reposing  from  the  labors 
of  the  day,  and  his  feelings — are  at  rest  from 
its  excite?ne?its,  he  should  seek,  in  some 
amusing  and  instructive  page,  substantial 
food — for  the  generous  appetite  for  know- 
ledge. 

Varieties.  1.  The  poor — may  be  con- 
tent ;  and  the  contented  are  rich.  2.  Hypo- 
crisy— desires  to  seem  good,  rather  than  to 
ok  good.  3.  It  is  better  to  be  beaten  with 
few  stripes,  than  with  many  stripes.  4.  He 
who  swears,  in  order  to  be  believed,  does  not 
know  how  to  counterfeit  a  man  of  truth.  5. 
Who  was  the  greater  monster,  Nero,  or  Ca- 
taline  ?  6.  Let  nothing  foul,  or  indecent, 
either  to  the  eye,  or  ear,  enter  within  the 
doors  where  children  dwell.  7.  We  wor- 
ship God  best,  and  most  acceptably,  when 
we  resemble  him  most  in  our  minds,  lives 
and  actions. 

Home  I  how  that  blessed  word — thrills  the  ear! 
In  it — what  recollections  blend  ! 

It  tells  of  childhood's  scenes  so  dear, 

And  speaks— of  many  a  cherished  friend. 

O  !  through  the  world,  where'er  we  roam, 
Though  souls  be  pure — and  lips  be  kind  ; 

The  heart,  with  fondness,  turns  to  home, 
Still  turns  to  those— it  left  behind. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


63 


175.  The  pupil,  in  Elocution  and  Music, 
is  strongly  urged  to  attend  to  the  right  and 
the  wrong  method  of  producing  the  sounds 
of  our  letters,  as  well  as  in  enunciating 
words.  By  all  means,  make  the  effort  entire- 
ly below  the  diaphragm,  while  the  chest  is 
comparatively  quiescent;  and,  as  you  value 
health  and  life,  and  good  natural  speaking, 
avoid  the  cruel  practice  of  exploding  the 
sounds,  by  whomsoever  taught  or  recom- 
mended. The  author's  long  experience,  and 
practice,  with  his  sense  of  duty,  justify  this 
protest  against  that  unnatural  manner  of 
coughing  out  the  sounds,  as  it  is  called. 
Nine-tenths  of  his  hundreds  of  pupils,  whom 
he  has  cured  of  the  Bronchitis,  have  induced 
the  disease  by  this  exploding  process,  which 
ought  itself  to  be  exploded. 

176.  The  44  sounds  of  our  Language, 
in  their  alphabetical  order.  A  4 ;  Ale,  are, 
all,  at:  B  1 ;  bribe:  C  4;  cent,  clock,  suffice, 
ocean :  D  2  ;  did,  fae'd :  E  2  ;  eel,  ell :  F  2 ; 
fife,  of:  G  3;  gem,  go,  rouge:  H  1 ;  hope: 
I  2 ;  isle,  ill:  J  1 ;  judge :  K  1 ;  kirk .-  LI; 
lily :  M  1 ;  mum :  N  2 ;  nun,  bank :  O  3 ; 
old,  ooze,  on :  PI;  pipe :  Q  1 ;  queen  :  R  2 ; 
arm, rough:  S4;  so,is,sure,treasury :  T2; 
pit,  nation  ••  U  3  ;  mute,  up,  full :  V  1 ;  viv- 
id- W  2 ;  wall,  bow  .•  X  3 ;  flax,  exist,  beaux  : 
Y  3  ;  youth,  rhyme,  hymn  :  Z  2 ;  zigzag, 
azure  :  Ch  3 ;  church,  chaise,  chasm  :  Gh  3 ; 
laugh,  gkost,  lough .-  Ph  2  ;  sphere,  nephew  ; 
Th2;  thin,  that:  Wh  1;  whale:  Oi  1;  oil: 
Ou  1 ;  sound :  the  duplicates,  or  those  hav- 
ing the  same  sound,  are  printed  in  italics. 

177.  "  Bowels  of  compassion ,  and  loins  of 
the  mind.''''  In  the  light  of  the  principles 
here  unfolded,  these  words  are  full  of  mean- 
ing. All  the  strong  affections  of  the  human 
mind,  are  manifested  thro'  the  dorsal  and  ab- 
dominal region.  Let  any  one  look  at  a  boy, 
when  he  bids  defiance  to  another  boy,  and 
challenges  him  to  combat :  "  Come  on,  I  am 
ready  for  you  :"  and  at  the  soldier,  with  his 
loins  girded  for  battle :  also,  observe  the  ef- 
fect of  strong  emotions  on  yourself  on  your 
body,  and  where  ;  and  you  will  be  able  to 
see  the  propriety  of  these  words,  and  the 
world  of  meaning  they  contain.  If  we  were 
pure  minded,  we  should  find  the  proper  stu- 
dy of  physiology  to  be  the  direct  natural 
road  to  the  mind,  and  to  the  presence  of  the 
Deity. 

Notes.  1.  Mate  these  44  sounds,  which  constitute  our 
vocal  alphabet,  as  familiar  to  the  ear,  as  the  shapes  of  our  26 
letters  are  to  the  eye ;  and  remember,  that  success  depends  on 
your  mastery  of  them  ;  they  are  the  «,  b,  c,  of  spoken  language  ; 
and  the  effort  to  make  them  has  a  most  beneficial  eflect  on  the 
health  and  voice.  2.  Keep  up  the  proper  use  of  the  whole  body, 
and  you  need  not  fear  sickness.  3.  The  only  solid  foundation  fnr 
elocution  is,  a  perfect  knowledge  of  the  number  and  nature  of  these 
44  simple  elements :  error  here  will  carry  a  taint  throughout. 

Virtue — 
Stands  like  the  sun,  and  all,  which  rolls  around, 
Drinks  life,  and  light,  and  glory — from  her  aspect. 


Proverbs.  1.  Truth— may  be  blamed,  but 
never  shamed.  2.  What  soberness  —  conceals, 
drunkenness — reveals.  3.  Be  you  ever  so  high, 
the  law  is  above  you.  4  A  mob — has  many  heads, 
but  no  brains.  5.  A  poor  man's  debt  makes  a 
great  iioise.  6.  J?«s?/-bodies —  are  always  med- 
dling. 7.  Crows  —  are  never  the  whiter,  for 
washing  themselves.  8.  Good  words — cost  no- 
thing, and  are  worth  much.  9.  He,  who  pays 
well,  is  master  of  every-bmly's  purse.  10.  Our 
knowledge — is  as  the  livulet ;  our  ignorance— as 
the  sea.  11.  Consider  well,  before  you  promise. 
12.  Dare  to  do  right. 

Anecdote.  Candor.  A  clergyman — once 
preached,  during  the  whole  of  Lent,  in  a 
parish,  where  he  was  never  invited  to  dine  , 
and,  in  his  farewell  sermon,  he  said  to  his 
hearers,  "  I  have  preached  against  every 
vice,  except  good  living  ;  which,  I  believe, 
is  not  to  he  found  among  you  ;  and,  there- 
fore, needed  not  my  reproach.'" 

Society  owes  All  a  Living.  Every  one 
must  and  will — find  a  livelihood ;  nor  has 
society  the  choice,  whether  or  not  to  provide 
for  its  members  :  for  if  an  individual  is  not 
put  in  a  way  to  earn  a  living,  he  will  seek 
it  by  unlawful  means  :  if  he  is  not  educated 
— to  lead  a  sober  and  industrious  life,  he  will 
lead  a  life  of  dissipation  ;  and  if  society  re- 
fuse to  take  care  of  him.  in  his  minority,  he 
will  force  it  to  notice  him — as  an  object  of 
self-defence.  Thus,  society  cannot  avoid 
giving  a  livelihood  to  all,  whom  providence 
has  placed  in  its  bosom  ;  nor  help  devoting 
time  and  expense  to  them ;  for  they  are  by 
birth,  or  circumstances,  dependent  on  its  as- 
sistance. While,  then,  it  has  the  power — 
to  make  every  one — available — as  an  honest, 
i?idust,rious  and  useful  citizen,  would  it  not 
be  the  best  policy,  (to  say  nothing  of  prin- 
ciples,) to  do  so  ;  and  attach  all  to  society, 
by  ties  of  gratitude,  rather  than  put  them  in 
a  condition  to  become  enemies  ;  a  condition 
in  which  it  will  be  necessary  to  pu?iish  them 
—  for  an  alienation,  which  is  the  natural 
consequence  oi  destitution.  Schools,  found- 
ed on  true  christian  principles,  would,  in  the 
end,  be  much  cheaper,  and  better — than  to 
support  our  criminal  code,  by  the  prosecu 
tions,  incident  to  that  state,  in  which  many 
come  up,  instead  of  being  brought  up  ;  and  the 
consequent  expenses  attending  our  houses 
of  correction,  penitentiaries,  &c.  (of  which 
many  seem  to  be  proud.)  on  the  score  of 
public  justice,  but  of  which,  on  the  score  of 
christian  love,  we  have  reason  to  be  deeply 
ashamed. 

Varieties.  1.  Will  not  our  souls — con- 
tinue in  being  forever?  2.  He — is  not  so 
good  as  he  should  be,  who  does  not  strive  to 
be  better  than  he  is.  3.  Genius — is  a  plant, 
whose  growth  you  cannot  stop,  without  de- 
stroying it.  4.  In  doing  nothing  we  learn 
to  do  ill.  5.  Neither  wealth,  nor  power,  can 
confer  happiness.  6.  In  heaven,  (we  have 
reason  to  believe,)  no  one  considers  anything 
as  good,  unless  others  partake  of  it.  7.  No- 
thing is  ours,  until  we  give  it  away. 
Ill  doers — are  ill  thinkers. 


64 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


178.  Orthography  or  Right  Spelling.  As 
we  have  two  kinds  of  language,  written  and 
spoken,  so,  there  are  two  modes  of  spelling ; 
one  addressed  to  the  eye,  and  exhibited  by 
naming  the  letters;  the  other  addressed  to 
the  ear,  and  spelled  by  giving  the  sou?ids, 
which  the  letters  represent:  the  former  meth- 
od, which  is  the  common  one,  tends  to  the  pre- 
dominant use  of  the  throat,  and  lungs,  and  is 
one  of  the  fruitful  sources  of  consumption  ; 
the  latter,  which  is  the  new  one,  serves  to 
keep  up  the  natural  use  of  the  appropriate 
muscles,  and  tends  to  prevent,  as  well  as  cure, 
dyspepsia,  liver  and  lung  complaints,  and 
diseases  of  the  throat. 

179.  Classification  of  the  Consonants. 
The  first  natural  division  of  the  consonants 
is  into  Vocal  and  Aspirate.  Of  the  Vocal 
there  are,  as  they  stand  in  the  alphabet,  and 
their  combinations,  twenty-six ;  but  deduct- 
ing the  duplicates,  there  are  but  seventeen  ,■ 
viz :  b,  as  in  bib ;  c,  as  in  suffice ;  d,  as  in 
dead;  f,  as  in  of,-  g,  as  in  gem,  go,  rouge; 
I,  as  in  ill ;  m,  as  in  me ;  n,  as  in  none,  hawk ; 
r,  as  in  err,  pride  ;  w,  as  in  wo  ;  x,  as  in  ex- 
ist ;  y,  as  in  ?/et ;  and  th  as  in  this ;  all  of 
which  should  be  given  separately,  as  well  as 
combined,  and  their  differences  observed. 

180.  After  the  pupil  has  become  familiar 
with  reading  by  vowel  sounds  and  spelling, 
as  above  recommended,  let  him  be  exercised 
in  reading  by  the  vowel  and  consonant 
sounds:  i.  e.  by  giving  a  perfect  analysis 
of  all  the  sounds,  found  in  any  of  the  words 
of  the  sentence  before  him ;  which  involves 
every  thing  relating  to  sounds,  whether  sin- 
gle, double,  or  triple;  and  to  articulation, 
accent,  pronunciation,  and  emphasis.  No 
one  should  wish  to  be  excused  from  these 
very  useful  and  important  exercises ;  for  they 
are  direrctly  calculated  to  improve  the  voice, 
the  ear,  and  the  manner,  while  they  impart 
that  kind  of  knowledge  of  this  subject,  which 
will  be  felt  to  be  power,  and  give  one  confi- 
dence in  his  own  abilities. 

Notes.  1.  It  is  not  a  little  amusing  and  instructive  too,  to 
examine  the  great  variety  of  names,  used  by  different  authors,  to 
designate  the  sounds  of  our  letters,  their  classifications,  &c.  against 
which  the  chargeof  simplicity  cannot  be  brought :  in  every  thing, 
let  us  guard  against  learned  and  unlearned  ignorance.  2.  There 
are  those,  who  ought,  from  their  position  before  the  world,  to  be 
standard  authorities  in  the  pronunciation  of  letters  and  words,  and 
in  general  delivery  ;  but,  unfortunately,  on  account  of  their  sad  de- 
fects and  inaccuracies,  in  all  those  particulars,  they  constitute  a  court 
of  Errors,  instead  of  Appeal:  consequently,  we  must  throw  our. 
selves  upon  the  first  principles  and  our  own  resources ;  using,  how- 
ever, such  true  lights  as  a  kind  Providence  has  vouchsafed  us  for 
our  guidance. 

To  him,  who,  in  the  love  of  nature,  holds 
Communion  with  her  visible  forms,  she  speaks 
A  various  language  ;  for  his  gayer  hours, 
She  has  a  voice  of  gladness,  and  a  smile, 
And  eloquence  of  beauty  ;  and  she  glides 
Into  his  darker  musings — with  a  mild 
And  gentle  sympathy,  that  steals  away 
'Their  sharpness— ere  he  is  aware. 


Proverbs.  1.  As  ice  act  towards  others,  we 
may  expect  others  to  act  towards  us.  2.  A  good 
orator  is  pointed,  and  vehement.  3.  Idleness — is 
the  rust  of  the  mind,  and  the  blight  of  genius.  4. 
Assist  yourself,  and  heaven  will  assist  you.  5. 
We  should  estimate  man's  character,  by  his  good- 
ness ;  not  by  his  wealth.  6.  Knowledge — is  as  es- 
sential to  the  mind,  as  food  is  to  the  body.  7.  A 
good  word  is  as  soon  said,  as  an  ill  one.  8.  No 
temptation  of  emolument,  can  induce  an  honest 
man  to  do  wrong.  9.  Virtue — is  the  best,  and 
safest  helmet  we  can  wear.  10.  Against  the 
fickleness  of  fortune,  oppose  a  bold  heart.  11. 
Never  profess — what  you  do  not  practice.  12. 
Treat  every  one  with  kindness. 

Anecdote.  Keeping  Time — from  Eter- 
nity. Chief  Justice  Parsons,  of  Massachu- 
setts, having  been  shown  a  watch,  that  was 
looked  on  as  well  worthy  of  notice,  as  it  had 
saved  a  man's  life,  in  a  duel,  remarked, — 
"It  is,  indeed,  a  very  astonishing  watch, 
that  has  kept  time — from  eternity.'''' 

Tlie  Difference.  Why  is  it,  that  many 
professors  of  religion — are  so  reluctant,  to 
have  the  reading  of  the  Bible,  as  well  as 
speaking  and  singing,  conducted  in  a  cor- 
rect ana  proper  manner?  Should  not  the 
greatest  and  most  glorious  truths — be  deliv- 
ered in  an  appropriate  style  ?  Do  they 
think  to  exalt  religious  truth,  in  the  eyes  of 
the  well-informed,  by  communicating  it  in 
a  way  that  is  not  only  repulsive  to  correct 
taste,  but  slovenly,  and  absolutely  wrong  ? 
Is  it  calculated  to  recommend  devotional  ex- 
ercises to  their  consideration,  by  offering  up 
prayer  in  a  language  and  manner,  unbecom- 
ing man  when  addressing  man  ;  and  per- 
forming the  singing,  regardless  of  proper 
time  and  tune?  Will  they  present  their  of- 
ferings in  a  maimed,  halt  and  blind  manner, 
upon  the  altar  of  religion  ;  while  they  have 
it  in  their  power,  to  provide  a  way  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  subject  and  object  of  their 
devotion?  Is  it  welt — to  despise  a  good 
style  and  mannei — of  elocution  and  music, 
because  we  have  not  the  ability,  and  are  too 
indolent  to  labor  for  it.  to  do  justice  to  our- 
selves and  others  ?  What  course  does  true 
wisdom  dictate  ? 

Varieties.  1.  Men — will  never  feel  like 
women,  nor  women  —  think,  like  men.  2. 
In  too  eager  disputation,  the  truth  is  often 
lost  sight  of.  3.  Woman — is  not  degraded, 
but  elevated,  by  an  earnest,  daily  applica- 
tion— to  her  domestic  concerns.  4.  How 
wretched  is  his  condition,  who  depends  for 
his  daily  support,  on  the  hospitality  of  others. 
5.  An  evil-spea/rer  —  differs  from  an  evil- 
doer, only  in  opportunity.  6.  The  use  of 
hnowleclge  is — to  communicate  to  others,  that 
they  mav  be  the  better  for  it.  7.  They  who 
deny  a  God,  either  in  theory,  or  practice,  de 
stroy  man's  nobility. 

Till  youth's  delirious  dream  is  o'er, 
Sanguine  with  hope,  we  look  before, 

The  future  good  to  find  ; 
In  age,  when  error  charms  no  more, 
For  bliss— we  look  behind. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


65 


181.  Orthography,  being  to  the  Elocution- 
ist, especially,  a  subject  of  incalcuable  im- 
portance, it  is  presumed  a  few  observations, 
illustrated  by  examples,  will  not  be  out  of 
place.  The  author  introduces  an  entirely 
new  mode  of  learning  the  letters,  by  the  use 
of  sounds,  before  the  characters  are  exhib- 
ited,- also,  a  new  way  of  spelling,  in  which 
the  words  are  spelt  by  giving  the  different 
sounds  of  the  letters,  instead  of  their  names .- 
and  finally,  a  new  method  of  teaching  chil- 
dren to  read,  by  dictation  ;  instead  of  by  the 
book :  i.  e.  to  read  without  a  book,  the  same 
as  we  all  learn  to  speak  our  mother  tongue ; 
and  afterwards,  with  a  book:  thus  making 
the  book  talk  just  as  we  should,  when  speak- 
ing on  the  same  subject. 

182.  Aspirates.  There  are,  according  to 
their  representatives,  21  aspirate,  or  breath 
sounds :  omitting  the  duplicates,  (or  letters 
having  the  same  sound,)  there  are  only  elev- 
en ;  viz :  c,  as  in  cent,  clock,  ocean ;  d,  as  in 
facVZ ;  /,  as  in  fife ;  h,  as  in  hoe ;  p,  as  in  pipe ; 
x,  as  in  mlr ,-  ch,  as  in  church  ;  th,  as  in  thin ; 
and  wh,  as  in  where :  whence  it  appears,  by 
actual  analysis,  that  we  have  sixteen  vowel 
sounds,  and  twenty-eight  consonant  sounds  ; 
making  in  all  forty-fouk  ;  some  authors, 
however,  give  only  thirty-eig-A/. 

183.  The  common  mode  of  teaching  all 
three,  is  no  better  policy,  (setting  every  thing 
else  aside,)  than  to  go  from  America  to  Chi- 
na to  get  to  England  :  in  other  words,  per- 
fectly ridiculous :  and  were  we  not  so  much 
accustomed  to  this  unnatural  and  dementing 
process,  we  should  consider  it  one  of  the 
most  self-evident  humbugs,  not  of  the  age 
only,  but  of  the  world.  Examples  of  the  old 
mode :  p,  (pe,)  h,  (aytch,)  i,  (eye,)  s,  (ess,) 
tis,  i,  (eye,)  c,  (see,)  k,  (kay,)  ick,  tisick  ; 
fifteen  sounds:  of  the  new  ;  t,i,z,  tis,  i,  k,ik, 
tis-ik ;  giving  nothing  but  thence  sounds: 
the  old:  g,  (je,)  e,  (e,)  w,  (doubleyou,)  eu, 
g,  (je,)  a,  (a,)  w,  (doubleyou,)  raw,  gew- 
gaw ;  eighteen  sounds,  and  not  one  sound  in 
spelling  is  found  in  the  word  after  it  is  spelt  : 
the  new  mode;  g,  u,g,  aw,  gew-gaw,  giv- 
ing only  the  four  soimds  of  the  letters,  in- 
stead  of  their  names. 

TVotes.     1.  We  never  can  succeed   in  accomplishing  one 
half  of  the  glorious  purposes  of  language,  so  long  as  we  apply  our- 
selves to  what  is  written,  and  neglect  what  is  spoken,    2.  A  new 
i;ts  itself ;  and  when  we  shall  have  entered  it,  in  the 
-  and  manner,  a  new  era  will  dawn  upon  us,  leading  us 
more  to  the  cultivation  of  the  living  language  and  the  living  voice: 
the  compass  and  harmony  of  the  best  instrument  can  never  be  per- 
tonching  the  keys  at  random,  or  playing  a  few  simple 
tunes  upon  it,  learned  by  the  ear. 

When  sailing — on  this  troubled  sea 

Of  pain,  and  tears,  and  agony  ; 

Though  wildly  roar  the  waves  around, 

With  restless  and  repeated  sound, 

'Tis  sweet — to  think,  that  on  our  eyes, 

A  lovelier  clime — shall  yet  arise  ; 

That  we  shall  wake — from  sorrow's  dream, 


Beside  a  pure — and  living  stream. 
9 


6*3 


Proverbs.  1.  Estimate  persons  more  by 
their  hearts,  than  by  their  heads-  2.  A  people 
who  have  no  amusements,  have  no  manners.  3. 
Jill  are  not  saints,  who  go  to  church  ;  all  is  not 
gold  that  glitters.  4.  Advice — is  soldom  welcome; 
those  who  need  it  most,  generally  like  it  least. 
5.  Do  not  spend  your  words  to  no  purpose  ;  but 
come  to  the  facts.  6.  Great  things — cannot  be 
accomplished  without  proper  means.  7.  We  reap 
the  consequences  of  our  actions — both  here,  and 
hereafter.  8.  God  gives  to  all,  the  power  of  be- 
coming what  they  ought  to  be.  9.  Infringe  on 
no  one's  rights.  10.  If  we  are  determined  to  suc- 
ceed, we  shall  succeed.  11.  Better  do  well,  than 
say  well.     12.  Better  be  happy  than  rich. 

Anecdote.  If  men  would  confine  their 
conversation  to  such  subjects  as  they  under- 
stand, how  much  better  it  would  be  for  both 
speaker  and  hearer.  Hally,  the  great  ma- 
thematician, dabbled  not  a  little  in  infidelity; 
he  was  rather  too  fond  of  introducing  this 
subject  in  his  social  intercourse  ;  and  once, 
when  he  had  descanted  somewhat  freely  on 
it,  in  the  presence  of  his  friend,  Sir  Isaac 
Newton,  the  latter  cut  him  short  with  this 
observation.  "  I  always  attend  to  you,  Dr. 
Hally,  wiih  the  greatest  deference,  when 
you  do  us  the  honor  to  converse  on  astro- 
nomy, or  the  mathematics ;  because,  these 
are  subjects  that  you  have  industriously  in- 
vestigated, and  which  you  well  understand  : 
but  religion — is  a  subject  on  which  I  hear 
you  with  great  pain  ;  for  this  is  a  subject 
which  you  have  not  seriously  examined,  and 
do  not  understand;  you  despise  it,  because 
you  have  not  studied  it ;  and  you  will  not 
study  it,  because  you  despise  it. 

Laconics.  In  the  scale  of  pleasure,  the 
lowest  are  se?isual  delights,  which  are  suc- 
ceeded by  the  more  enlarged  views  and  gay 
portraitures  of  a  lively  imagination  ;  and 
these  give  way  to  the  sublimer  pleasures  of 
reason,  which  discover  the  causes  and  de- 
signs, the  form,  connection,  and  symmetry 
ot  things,  and  fill  the  mind  with  the  contem- 
plation of  intellectual  beauty,  order,  and 
truth. 

Varieties.  1.  The  greatest  learning — is 
to  be  seen  in  the  greatest  simplicity.  2. 
Prefer  the  happiness  and  independence  of  a 
private  station,  to  the  trouble  and  vexation 
of  a  public  one.  3.  It  is  very  foolish — for 
any  one,  to  suppose,  that  he  excels  all  other* 
—  in  understanding.  4.  Never  take  the 
humble,  nor  the  proud,  at  their  own  valu- 
ation ;  the  estimate  of  the  former — is  too 
little,  and  that  of  the  latter — too  much.  5. 
Every  order  of  good — is  found  by  an  order 
of  truth,  agreeing  with  it.  6.  As  there  is 
much  to  enjoy  in  the  world,  so  is  there  much 
to  endure  ;  and  wise  are  they,  who  enjoy 
gratefully,  and  endure  pat ienti !//.  7.  What 
is  the  meaning  of  the  expression,  in  the  first 
chapter  of  Genesis. — "  Let  us  make  man, 
in  our  image,  and  after  our  likeness  ?" 
Jill  farewells— should  be  sudden,  when  forever  ; 
Else,  they  make  an  eternity — of  moments, — 
And  clog  the  last—sad  sands  of  life — with  tears. 


66 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


184.  In  teaching  spelling  to  children,  ex- 
ercise them  on  the  forty-four  sounds  of  the 
letters  ;  then  in  speaking  in  concert,  after  the 
preceptor,  and  also  individually,  interspers- 
ing the  exercises  with  analyzing  words,  by 
giving  the  various  sounds  of  which  they  are 
composed.  At  first,  let  them  give  each  sound 
in  a  syllable  by  itself,  (after  you  ;)  then  let 
them  give  all  the  sounds  in  a  syllable  be- 
fore pronouncing  it;  and  finally,  let  them 
give  all  the  sounds  in  a  word,  and  then  pro- 
nounce it:  thus,  there  are  three  modes  of 
spelling  by  ear  ;  easy ,  difficult ,  and  more  dif- 
cult.  Those,  however,  taught  in  the  old  way, 
must  expect  that  their  younger  pupils,  espe- 
cially, will  soon  get  ahead  of  them;  unless 
they  apply  themselves  very  closely  to  their 
work. 

185.  The  second  division  of  the  Conso- 
nants is  into  simple,  and  compound  ;  or 
single  and  double:  of  the  former,  there  are 
twenty,  including  the  duplicates :  viz :  c,  in 
city ;  c,  cab ;  d,  do ;  d,  pip'd ;  /,  fifty ;  g, 
gull;  A,  hope;  it,  make  ;  I,  bill;  m,  mile;  n, 
no ;  p,  pop ;  q,  quote ;  r,  corn ;  s,  see ;  t, 
tune;  ch,  chyle;  gh,  tough;  gh,  ghastly; 
and  ph,  epha:  omitting  the  duplicate  repre- 
sentatives, there  are  but  eleven  ,•  viz :  c,  (cy- 
press;) c,  (ac-me;)  d,  (day;)  d,  (tripp'd;) 
/,  (foe;)  g,  (give;)  I,  (lay;)  m,  (mote;) 
n,  (nine;)  p,  (passed;)  r,  (more:)  com- 
pare, and  see. 

18G.  Origin  of  Language.  Plato  says, 
that  language — is  of  Divine  institution  ;  that 
human  reason,  from  a  defect  in  the  knowl- 
edge of  natures  and  qualities,  which  are  in- 
dicated by  names,  could  not  determine  the 
cog-now-i-na  of  things.  He  also  maintains, 
that  names  are  the  vehicles  of  substances  : 
that  a  fixed  analogy,  or  correspondence,  ex- 
ists between  the  name  and  thing  ,■  that  lan- 
guage, therefore,  is  not  arbitrary  in  its  ori- 
gin, but  fixed  by  the  laws  of  analogy  ;  and 
that  God  alone,  who  knows  the  nature  of 
things,  originally  imposed  names,  strictly 
expressive  of  their  qualities.  Zeno,  Cle-ern- 
thes,  Chry-.s?p-pus,  and  others,  were  of  the 
same  opinion. 

IVoteS.  1.  This  wnrk  is  not  designed  to  exhibit  the  whole 
Bubject  of  Oratory  ;  which  is  as  boundless  and  profound  as  are  the 
Vtoughts  and  feelims  of  the  human  mind  ;  butto  present  in  a  plain 
»nd  familiar  form,  the  essentials  of  this  God-like  art ;  in  the  hopes 
of  being  useful  in  this  day  and  generation.  In  the  course  of  anoth- 
er twelve  years,  there  may  bea  nearer  approach  to  truth  and  na- 
ture. 2.  Observe  the  difference  between  the  sounds,  heard  in  spel- 
ling the  following  words,  by  the  names  of  the  letters,  and  those 
sounds,  heard  in  the  words  after  being  spelt :  a,-g,-e ;  if  the 
sounds  heard  in  calling  the  letters  by  name,  are  pronounced,  the 
word  is  ay-je-ee;  i,-s,  in  like  manner,  spell  eye-ess ;  c,-o,.r,-n, 
spell,  see  o-or-en  ;  oo,-z,-e,  spell  doub-fc-o-ze-ee  ;  a,-l,-m-,s,  spell, 
a, -el-em-ess ;  o,.n,  spell— oui-en ;  &c.  3.  The  common  arrange- 
ment of  words  in  columns,  without  meaning,  seems  at  variance 
with  common  sense ;  but  this  mode  is  perfectly  mattiematical,  as 
well  as  philiarrphieal ;  and  of  course,  in  accordance  with  nature, 
science,  and  the  structure  of  mind.  4.  The  proper  formation  of 
words,  out  of  letters,  or  sounds,  is  word-making.  5.  Abcdari-ans 
should  first  be  taught  the  soundi  of  letters,  and  then  their  uses,  and 


then  their  shapes,  and  names,  together  with  their  uses ;  the  same 
course  should  be  pursued  in  teaching  music,  the  ear,  always 
predominating;  and  then  there  will  be  ease,  grace,  and  power 
combined. 

Proverbs.  1.  Virtue — grows  under  every 
weight  imposed  on  it.  2.  He,  who  envies  the 
lot  of  another,  must  be  discontented  with  his 
own.  3.  When  fortune  fails  us,  the  supposed 
friends  of  our  prosperous  days — vanish.  4.  The 
love  of  ruling— is  the  most  powerful  affection  of 
the  human  mind.  5.  A  quarrelsome  man — must 
expect  many  wounds.  6.  Many  condemn,  what 
they  do  not  understand.  7.  Property,  dishonestly 
acquired,  seldom  descends  to  the  third  genera- 
tion. 3.  He,  who  has  well  begun,  has  half  done 
his  task.  9.  The  difference  between  hypocrisy 
and  sincerity — is  infinite.  10.  When  our  atten- 
tion is  directed  to  two  objects,  we  rarely  succeed 
in  either.  11.  Recompence  every  one  for  his  la- 
bor.    12.  Zealously  pursue  the  right  path. 

Anecdote.  Patience.  The  priest  of  a 
certain  village,  observing  a  man,  (who  had 
just  lost  his  wife,)  very  much  oppressed 
with  grief,  told  him, — "  he  must  have  Pa- 
tience ;"  whereupon,  the  mourner  replied, 
"  I  have  been  trying  her  sir,  but  she  will 
not  consent  to  have  me." 

Tlie  range  of  knowledge — is  divided 
into  three  classes,  corresponding-  to  the  scien- 
tific, rational  and  affecluous  faculties  of  man. 
The  first,  is  knowledge  of  the  outward 
creation, — involving  every  thing  material, 
— all  that  is  addressed  to  our  five  senses ; 
the  second,  is  knowledge  of  human  exist- 
ences, as  it  respects  man's  spiritual,  or  im- 
mortal nature  :  and  the  third,  knowledge  of 
the  Divine  Being,  including  his  nature,  and 
laws,  and  their  modes  of  operation.  There 
is  a  certain  point  where  matter — ends,  and 
spirit — begins  :  i.  e.  a  boundary,  where  they 
come  in  contact,  where  spirit — operates  on 
matter  :  there  is  a  state,  where  finite  spirit- 
ual existences — receive  life  and  light — front 
the  Infinite,  who  is  the  Lord  of  all ;  that 
Spirit, 

"  That  warjns — in  the  sun  ;  refreshes — in  the  breeze ; 
Glows — in  the  stars;  and  blossoms. — in  the  trees." 

The  omniscient,  omnipotent  and  omnipresent 
Being,  that 

"  Lives— through  all  life,  extends  thro'  all  extent ; 
Spreads — undivided — operates— unspfn* : 
Whose  body  nature  is, — and  God — the  soul." 

Varieties.  1.  Are  monopolies — consist- 
ent with  republican  institutions  ?  2.  Love 
— often  makes  the  most  clever  persons  act 
like/oo7s,  and  the  most  foolish,  act  like  wise 
ones.  3.  Patience  is  the  surest  remedv 
against  calumny  :  time,  sooner  or  later,  will 
disclose  me  truth.  4.  The  fickleness  of 
fortune — is  felt  all  over  the  world-  5.  It  is 
easy  to  criticise  the  productions  of  art,  tho' 
it  is  difficult  to  make  them.  6.  Do  not  de- 
fer till  to-morrow,  what  ought  to  be  done 
to-day.  7.  The  precepts  and  truths  of  the 
word  of  God. — are  the  very  laws  of  divine 
order  ;  and  so  far  as  our  minds  are  receptive 
of  them,  we  are  so  far  in  the  divine  order, 
and  the  divine  order  in  us,  if  in  a  life  agree- 
ing with  them. 

Guard  well  thy  thoughts ;— our  thoughts  are  heard  in  heaven. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


67 


187.  The  method,  here  recommended,  of 
giving  the  sounds,  of  spelling,  and  of  teach- 
ing children  to  read  without  a  book,  and  then 
with  a  book,  will  save  three-fourths  of  the  la- 
bor of  both  teacher  and  pupil;  and,  in  addi- 
tion to  these  important  considerations,  there 
will  be  an  immense  amount  of  time  and  ex- 
pense saved,  and  the  young  prevented  from 
contracting  the  common  bad  habits  of  read- 
ing unnaturally ;  which  not  only  obstructs 
the  proper  development  of  body  and  mind, 
but  sows  the  seeds  of  sickness  and  premature 
death.  Our  motto  should  be,  "  cease  to  do 
evil,  and  learn  to  do  well." 

18  S.  Modes  of  Spelling.  In  the  old,  or 
common  mode  of  spelling,  there  are  many 
more  sounds  introduced,  than  the  words  con- 
tain :  this  always  perplexes  new  beginners, 
whose  car — has  had  much  more  practice,  in 
reference  to  language,  than  their  eye.  The 
great  difficulty  seems  to  be — to  dispose  of  the 
parts,  which  amount  to  more  than  the  whole  : 
for,  in  philosophy,  it  is  an  acknowledged 
principle,  that  the  parts — are  only  equal  to 
the  whole.  Hence,  spelling  by  sounds  of 
letters,  instead  of  by  names  is  vastly  prefera- 
ble :  the  former  being  perfectly  philosophical, 
involving  orderly,  analysis  and  synthesis,  and 
it  is  also  mathematical,  because  the  parts — 
are  just  equal  to  the  whole  :  while  the  latter 
mode  is  the  very  reverse  of  all  this;  and  in- 
stead of  aiding,  essentially,  in  the  develop- 
ment of  body  and  mind,  tends  directly  to 
prevent  both. 

189.  Of  the  compound,  or  diphthongal  and 
triphthongal  consonants,  we  have  twenty- 
three  ,■  viz :  c,  (z.)  discern ;  c,  (sh,)  social ;  /, 
(v,)  thereof,-  g,  (dg,)  gibe ;  g,  (zh,)  badinage ; 
J,  (dg,)  judge;  n,  (ng.)  ba??k;  r,  (burr'd,) 
trill ;  s,  (z,)  was ;  s,  (sh,)  sure  ;  s,  (zh,)  leisure ; 
t,  (sh,)  ra/ional ;  v,  vivacity ;  w,  wist ;  x,  (ks.) 
ox;  x,  (z.)  Aenia;  y,  youth;  z,  zigzag;  ch, 
(tch,)  suc^  ,•  ch,  (sh,)  cAagrin ;  ph,  (v,)  neph- 
ew ;  th,  thick ;  th,  tho' ;  ivh,  why  :  deduct- 
ing the  duplicates,  we  have  but  twelve ;  c, 
(z,)  c,  (sh,)/,  (v,)  g,  (zh,)  n,  (ng,)  r,  (trill'd,) 
x,  (ks,)  x,  (gz,)  ch,  (tch,)  th,  (think,)  th, 
(that,)  and  wh,  (when:)  let  them  be  exem- 
plified. 

190.  It  has  previously  been  remarked, 
that,  strictly  speaking,  a,  in  far,  is  the  only 
natural  vowel  sound  in  our  language;  and 
that  the  other  fifteen  are  modifications  of  it ; 
also,  that  on  the  same  principle,  the  aspirate, 
or  breath  sound,  heard  in  pronouncing  the 
sound  of  h,  {huh,  in  a  whisper,)  is  the  mate- 
rial, out  of  which  all  sounds  are  made ;  for 
it  is  by  condensing  the  breath,  in  the  larynx, 
through  the  agency  of  the  vocal  chords,  that 
the  voice  sound,  of  grave  a  is  made ;  and,  by 
the  peculiar  modification,  at  certain  points 
of  interception,  that  any  aspirate  consonant 
sound  is  produced ;  hence,  it  may  be  said, 


that  a,  in  far,  is  the  original  element  of  all 
the  vowel  and  vocal  consonant  sounds,  and 
the  aspirate  h,  is  the  original  element,  out 
which  all  the  aspirate  consonant  sounds  are 
made,  as  well  as  the  vocal  sounds ;  thus,  that 
which  the  letter  h  represents,  seems  to  in- 
volve something  of  infinity  in  variety,  so 
far  as  sounds,  and  their  corresponding  affec- 
tions are  concerned ;  for  breath — is  air  ;  and 
without  air,  there  can  be  no  sound.  Why 
was  the  letter  h,  added  to  the  names  of  Abram 
and  Sarai  ? 

Proverbs.  1.  He,  who  reckons  without  his 
host,  must  reckon  again.  2.  When  we  despise 
danger,  it  often  overtakes  us  the  sooner.  3. 
They,  who  cross  the  ocean,  may  change  climate, 
but  their  minds  are  still  the  same.  4.  The  cor- 
ruption, or  perversion  of  the  best  things  —  pro- 
duces the  worst.  5.  We  must  not  judge  of  persons 
by  their  clothing-,  or  by  the  sanctity  of  their  ap- 
pearance. 6.  If  we  indulge  our  passions,  they 
will  daily  become  more  violent.  7.  Light  grief — 
may  find  utterance  ;  but  deeper  sorrow  can  find 
none.  8.  The  difference  is  gieat — between  words 
and  deeds.  9.  Poverty  —  wants  many  things; 
avarice— every  thing.  10.  Let  us  avoid  having 
too  many  irons  in  the  fire.  II.  Faithfully  per- 
form every  duty,  small  and  great  12.  Govern 
your  thoughts,  when  alone,  and  your  tongue, 
when  in  company.     13.  Ill  got, — ill  spent. 

Anecdote.  Finishing  our  Studies.  Sev- 
eral young  physicians  were  conversing,  in 
the  hearing  of  Dr.  Bush,  and  one  of  them 
observed,  "  When  I  have  finished  my  stu- 
dies,"  "  When  you  have  finished  your 

studies  /"  said  the  doctor,  abruptly  ;  "  why, 
you  must  be  a  happy  man,  to  have  finished 
them  so  young  :  I  do  not  expect  to  finish 
mini  while  I  live.'1'' 

Laconics.  The  kindnesses,  which  most 
men  receive  from  others,  are  like  traces 
drawn  in  the  sand.  The  breath  of  every 
possin?i  sweeps  them  away,  and  they  are  re- 
membered no  more.  But  injuries  are  like 
inscriptions  on  monuments  of  brass,  or  pil- 
lars of  marble,  which  endure,  unimpaired, 
the  revolutions  of  time. 

Varieties.     1.  We  rarely  regret — having 
spoken  too  little  ;  but  often — of  saying  too 
much.     2.  Which   is  the  more  extensively 
useful, — fire,  or  water?    3.  A  speaker,  who 
expresses  himself  with  fluency  and  discre- 
tion, will   always  have  attentive  listeners. 
4.  The  spirit  of  party,  sometimes  leads  even 
the  greatest  men — to  descend  to  the  mean- 
ness of  the  vulgar.     5.  Without  virtue,  hap- 
piness—  can  never  be  real,   or  permanent. 
6.  When  we  are  convinced  that  our  opinions 
are  erroneous,  it  is  always  right  to  ack?iow- 
ledge  it,  and  exchange  them  for  truths.     7. 
Every  love — contains  its  own  truth. 
Serve  God  before  the  world  !  let  him  not^-o, 
Until  thou  hast  a  blessing  ;  then,  resign 
The  whole  unto  him,  and  remember  who 
Prevailed  by  wrestling — ere  the  sun  did  shine  ; 
Pour  oil  upon  the  stones,  weep  for  thy  sin, 
Then  journey  on,  and  have  an  eye  to  heaven^ 


68 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


191.  Here  a  new  field  is  open  for  the  clas- 
sification of  our  letters,  involving  the  struc- 
ture of  all  languages,  and  presenting  us 
with  an  infinite  variety,  terminating  in  uni- 
ty,— all  languages  being  merely  dialects  of 
the  original  one ;  but  in  this  work,  nothing 
more  is  attempted,  than  an  abridgment  of 
the  subject  As  every  effect  must  have  an 
adequate  cause,  and  as  in  material  things, 
such  as  we  see,  hear,  taste,  smell,  and  feel, 
there  can  be  no  primary,  but  only  secondary 
causes,  we  must  look  to  the  mind  for  the 
feelings  and  thoughts,  that  have  given  rise  to 
all  the  peculiarities  and  modifications  of  lan- 
guage ;  being  assured,  that  in  the  original 
language,  each  state  of  the  will  and  the  un- 
derstanding, had  its  external  sign,  as  a  medi- 
um of  manifestation. 

193.  Uses  of  Spelling.  The  object  of  spel- 
ling, in  the  manner  here  recommended,  is 
two-fold ;  to  spell  by  sound,  in  order  to  be 
able  to  distinguish  the  sounds,  of  which 
words  are  composed,  and  to  pronounce 
them  correctly :  thus  developing  and  train- 
ing the  voice  and  ear  to  the  highest  pitch 
of  perfection.  The  use  of  spelling  by  the 
names  of  letters  is,  to  make  us  acquain- 
ted with  them,  and  the  order  in  which  they 
are  placed  in  the  words,  so  as  to  be  able,  not 
only  to  read,  but  to  write  the  language: 
hence,  we  must  become  acquainted  with  both 
our  spoken  and  written  language,  if  we 
would  avail  ourselves  of  their  wonderful  ca- 
pabilities, and  the  treasures  of  which  they 
are  possessed. 

193.  In  partially  applying  this  doctrine, 
we  may  say,  B,  (bib,)  represents  a  gutteral 
labial  sound ;  1st.  c,  (cent,)  a  dental  aspi- 
rate :  2d.  c,  (clock,)  a  gulteral  aspirate :  3d. 
c,  (sacrifice,)  a  dental  vocal  consonant :  4th. 
c,  (ocean,)  a  dental  aspirate :  \stf  (if,)  a  sub- 
labial  and  super-dental  aspirate:  2df,  (of,)  a 
sub-labial  super-dental,  vocal:  1st  g,  (gem,) 
a  posterior  lingual  dental  vocal,  terminating 
in  an  aspirate;  2d  g,  (go,)  a  glottal  vocal 
consonant:  3d  g,  (rouge,)  a. vocal  dental  as- 
pirate :  h,  a  pure  aspirate,  with  open  mouth 
and  throat;  I,  a  lingual  dental;  and  so  onto 
the  end  of  our  sounds,  of  analysis  and  syn- 
thesis, of  which  a  volume  might  be  written  ; 
and  although  the  writer  has  practiced  on 
them  many  thousands  of  times,  he  never  has 
done  it  once,  without  learning  something 
new. 

Notes.  1.  Don't  forget  to  understand  and  master  every 
thing  that  relates  to  the  subject  of  study  and  practice :  the  only 
royal  highway  to  truth  is  the  straight  way.  2.  Become  as  familiar 
with  the  simndsof  our  language  as  you  are  with  the  alphabet.  3. 
As  you  proceed,  acquire  more  ease  and  grace  in  reading  and 
speaking. 

An  honest  man — is  still  an  unmoved  rock, 
Wasli'il  whiter,  but  not  shaken — with  the  shock; 
Whose  heart — conceives  no  sinister  device  ; 
Fearless — he  plays  with  ./lames,  and  treads  on  ice. 


Proverbs.  1.  Do  as  much  good  as  you  can 
and  make  but  little  noise  about  it.  2.  The  Bible. 
is  a  book  of  laws,  to  show  us  what  is  right,  and 
what  is  wrong.  3.  What  maintains  one  vice, 
would  bring  up  two  children.  4.  A  little  wrong 
— done  to  another,  is  a  great  wrong  done  to  our- 
selves. 5.  Sermons — should  be  steeped  in  the 
heart — before  they  are  delivered.  6.  A  life  of 
attractive  industry  is  always  a  happy  one.  7. 
Drive  your  business  before  you,  and  it  will  go 
easily.  8.  Good  fences  —  make  good  neighbors. 
9.  Pride  wishes  not  to  owe;  self-love — wishes  not 
to  pay.  10.  The  rotten  apple  injures  its  compan- 
ion. 11.  Make  a  virtue  of  necessity.  12.  You 
can't  make  an  auger  hole  with  a  gimblet. 

Anecdote.  Mathematical  Honor.  A  stu- 
dent— of  a  certain  college,  gave  his  fellow- 
student  the  lie  ;  and  a  challenge  followed. 
The  mathematical  tutor — heard  of  the  diffi- 
culty, and  sent  for  the  young  man  that  gave 
the  challenge,  who  insisted,  that  he  must 
fighl — to  shield  his  honor.  "  Why,'1''  said 
the  tutor  ?  "  Because  he  gave  me  the  lie." 
"  Very  well ;  let  him  prove  it :  if  he  prove 
it, — you  did  lie  ;  but  if  he  does  not  prove  it, 
then  he  lies.  Why  should  you  shoot  one 
another  ?  Will  that  make  a  lie — any  more 
honorable  ?" 

Cicero  says,  the  poet — is  born  such;  the 
orator  is  made  such.  But  reading  books  of 
rhetoric,  and  eloquent  extracts — choice  mor- 
sels of  poetry  and  eloquence  —  will  never 
make  one  an  orator  :  these  are  only  the  ef- 
fects of  oratory.  The  cause  of  eloquence 
is  to  be  sought  for,  only  in  the  depths  of  the 
human  mind — the  true  philosophy  of  man,  and 
the  practice  of  unadulterated  goodness  and 
truth.  You  must/eeZ  rightly,  think  wisely, 
and  act  accordingly  :  then  gracefulness  of 
style  and  eloquence  will  fit  you;  otherwise, 
you  will  be  like  the  ass,  clothed  with  the 
lion's  skin.  Accomplishment  should  not  be 
an  end,  but  a  means.  Seek,  then,  for  the 
philosophy  of  oratory,  where  it  is  to  be  found, 
in  the  study  of  geometry,  language,  physics, 
theology,  and  the  human  mind  profound,  if 
you  would  attain  that  suavity  of  graceful 
periods,  engaging  looks  and  gestures,  which 
steal  from  men  their  hearts,  and  reason,  and 
make  them,  for  the  time  being,  your  willing 
captives. 

Varieties.  1.  Is  there  any  line  of  de- 
marcation between  temperance  and  mtem- 
perance  ?  2.  We  rarely  repent — of  eating 
too  little ;   but  often — of  eating  too  much. 

3.  Truth — is  clothed  in  white  ;  but  a  lie — 
comes  forth  in  all  the  colors  of  a  rainbow. 

4.  St.  Augustin  says,  "Love  God  ;  and  then 
do  what  you  wish.'11  5.  We  must  not  do 
evil,  that  good  may  come  of  it ;  the  means — 
must  answer,  and  correspond  to — the  end. 
6.  Assumed  qualities — may  catch  the  fancy 
of  some,  but  we  must  possess  those  that  are 
good,  to  fix  the  heart-  7.  When  a  thing  is 
doubtful,  refer  it  to  the  Word  in  sincerity  ;  if 
it  is  not  clear  to  you,  let  it  alone,  for  the  pre- 
sent, at  least,  till  it  is  made  so. 

Mind,  not  money — makes  the  man. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


69 


194.  Accent — means  either  stress,  or 
quantify  of  voice,  on  a  certain  letter,  or  let- 
ters in  a  word :  it  is  made  by  concentrating 
the  voice,  on  that  particular  place  in  the 
word,  heavy,  at  first,  then  gliding  into  silence. 
There  are  two  ways  of  making  it ;  first, 
by  stress,  when  it  occurs  on  short  vowels  ; 
as,  t';;7,--stand :  secondly,  by  quantity,  when 
it  occurs  on  long  ones;  as,  o-ver:  i.  e.  when 
the  word  is  short,  we  pronounce  it  with 
force;  and  when  it  is  long,  with  quanti- 
ty, and  a  little  force  too :  thus,  what  we  lack 
in  length  of  sound,  we  make  up  by  stress,  or 
force,  according  to  circumstances.  These  en- 
gravings present  to  the  eye  an  idea  of  accent 
by  stress,  or  a  concentration  of  voice,  with 
more  or  less  abruptness. 


The  first — indicates  that  the  accented  vow- 
el is  near  the  beginning  of  the  word ;  as  in 
oe-cent,  ew-pha-sis,  in-dus-try,  o??-ward,  up- 
ward :  the  second,  that  it  is  at,  or  near  the 
end:  as  in  ap-pre-Ae?itf,su-per-in-/mrf,  in-di- 
vis-i-WW-ty.  In  music,  the  first  represents 
the  diminish  ;  the  second — the  swell  of  the 
voice. 

195.  Theirs/  use  of  accent — is  to  convert 
letters,  or  syllables — into  words,  expressive 
of  our  ideas ;  i.  e.  to  fasten  the  letters  to- 
gether, so  as  to  make  a  word-medium  for 
manifesting  our  feelings  and  thoughts:  and 
the  second  use  is — to  aid  us  in  acquiring  a 
distinct  articulation,  and  melody  of  speech, 
and  song.  Exs.  1.  Accent  by  stress  of 
voice.  He  a//?-pli-fies  his  ad-yer-tise-ment, 
di-mi»-ish-es  its  im-pe-tus,  and  oj>e-rates  on 
the  uZ-ti-mates.  2.  The  ac-cu-ra-cy  of  the 
eer-e-mo-ny  is  fig-u-Ta.-ti\e  of  the  com-pe- 
ten-cy  of  his  up-right-ness :  3.  The  caf-e- 
pil-lar  fox-gets  the  no-iiZ-i-ty  of  or-a-to-ry 
xm-just-\y ;  4.  The  math-e-wa^-ics  are  su- 
per-in-fcrarf-ed  with  af-fa-6i/-i-ty,  cor-res- 
pond-ent  to  in-s/rtzc-tions. 

Notes.  1.  Observe,  there  are  but  FIVE  SHORT  vowels  in 
oar  language  :  the  examples  above  contain  illustrations  of  all  of 
them,  in  their  alphabetical  order;  they  are  also  found  in  these 
words — at,  tt,  it,  ot,  ut ;  and  to  give  them  with  purity,  make  aa 
though  you  were  going  to  pronounce  the  whole  word,  but  leave  off 
at  the  t  2.  This  is  a  very  important  point  in  our  subject ;  if  you 
feil  in  understanding  accent,  you  cannot  succeed  in  emphasis. 

Anecdote.  Holding  One's  Own.  A  very 
fat  man  was  one  day  met  by  a  person  whom 
he  ou:ed,  and  accosted  with — "  How  do  you 
do?"  Mr.  A  dipose  replied,  "  Pretty  well  ; 
I  hold  my  own;" — "and  mine  too,  to  my 
sorrow," — rejoined  the  creditor. 

Hail,  to  thee,  filial  love,  source  of  delight, 
Of  everlasting  joy  I    Heaven's  grace  supreme 
Shines  in  the  duteous  homage,  of  a  child  ! 
Religion,  manifested,  stands  aloft, 
Superior — to  the  storms  of  wayward  fate- 
When  children — suffejr  in  a  parent's  cause, 
And  glory — in  the  lovely  sacrifice, 
'Tis  heavenly  inspiration  fills  the  breast — 
And  angels — waft  their  incense  to  the  skies. 


196.  Some  persons  may  wish  for  more 
specific  directions,  as  to  the  method  of  bring- 
ing the  lower  muscles  into  use,  for  producing 
sounds,  and  breathing  :  the  following  wiH 
suffice.  Take  the  proper  position,  as  above 
recommended,  and  place  the  hands  on  the 
hips,  with  the  thumbs  on  the  small  of  the 
back,  and  the  fingers  on  the  abdominal  mus- 
cles before  ;  grasp  them  tightly ;  i.  e.  try  to 
press  in  the  abdomen,  and,  at  the  same  time, 
to  burst  off  the  hands,  by  an  internal  effort, 
in  the  use  of  the  muscles  to  produce  the  vow- 
el sounds  of  the  following  words,  at,  et,  it,  ot, 
ut ;  then  leave  off  the  /,  giving  the  vowels 
the  same  sound  as  before :  or  imagine  that 
you  have  a  belt  tied  around  you,  just  above 
the  hip  bones,  and  make  such  an  effort  as 
would  be  required  to  burst  it  off;  do  the 
same  in  breathing,  persevere,  and  you  will 
succeed :  but  do  not  make  too  much  effort. 

Proverbs.  1.  A  man  under  the  influence 
of  anger— is  beside  himself.  2.  Poverty,  with 
hontsty,  is  preferable  to  riches,  acquired  by  dis- 
honest means.  3.  The  wolf  casts  his  hair,  but 
never  changes  his  ferocious  disposition.  4.  To 
wicked  persons— the  virtue  of  others — is  always  .i 
subject  of  envy.  5.  Flies — cannot  enter  a  mouth 
that  is  shut.  6.  No  plea  of  expediency — should 
reconcile  us  to  the  commission  of  a  base  act.  7 
Power,  unjustly  obtained,  is  of  short   duration. 

8.  Every  mad-man — believes  all  other  men  mad 

9.  The  avaricious  man— is  kind  to  none  ;  but  least 
kind  to  himself.  10.  The  beginning  of  knowledge 
— is  the  fear  of  God.  11.  Of  all  poverty,  that  of 
the  mind — is  the  most  deplorable.  12.  He  only  is 
powerful,  who  governs  himself. 

"Varieties.  1.  What  was  it — that  made 
man  miserable,  and  what — alone  can  make 
him  happy  ?  2.  Diffidence — is  the  mother  of 
safety;  while  self-confidence — often  involves 
us  in  serious  difficulties.  3.  He  is  not  rich, 
who  has  much,  but  he  who  has  enough,  and 
is  contented.  4.  It  is  absurd — for  parents  to 
preach  sobriety  to  their  children,  and  yet  in- 
dulge in  all  kinds  of  excess.  5.  Nature — 
never  says,  what  wisdom  contradicts ;  for 
they  are  always  in  harmony.  G.  Save  some- 
thing —  against  a  day  of  trouble.  7.  With 
such  as  repent,  and  turn  from  their  evils, 
aud  surrender  their  wills  to  the  Lord's  will, 
all  things  they  ever  saw,  knew,  or  expe- 
rienced, shall  be  made,  in  some  way  or 
other,  to  serve  for  good. 

I  do  remember  an  apothecary, — 
And  hereabouts  he  dwells, — whom  late  I  noted 
In  tatter'd  weeds,  with  overwhelming  brows, 
Culling  of  simples  ;  meagre  were  his  looks, 
And  in  his  needy  shop— a  tortoise  hung. 
Sharp  misery — had  worn  him  to  the  bones  : 
An  alligator  stuff'd,  and  other  skins 
Of  ill-shap'd  fishes  ;  and  about  his  shelves 
A  beggarly  account  of  empty  boxes, 
Green  earthen  pots,  bladders,  and  musty  seeds, 
Remnants  of  packthread,  and  old  cakes  of  roses, 
Were  thinly  scatter'd,  to  make  up  a  show. 


70 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


197.  Accent — is  made,  secondly,  by 
quantity;  or  prolongation,  of  sound,  with 
expulsive  force,  on  long  accented  vowels; 
which  may  be  represented  either  by  this  en- 
graving "  indicative  of  a 
continuous  equal  movement  of  the  voice;  or, 

by  this  one,   -«^^^^^B^^" 

which  shows  the  swell,  continuous  and  di- 
minish in  combination ;  or,  the  unequal  con- 
tinuous. Exs.  1.  The  a-gent,  with  ar-dent 
aw-fu\  e-go-tism,  i-dol-i-zed  the  o-di-ous  oo-zy 
«-ni-form,  which  was  fruit-ful  in  ot'-li-ness, 
from  the  oti-ter-mosts.  2.  The  base-ment  of 
the  ar-mo-ry,  awfe-ward-ly  e-qual  to  the  ^-ro- 
ny  of  the  o-li-o,  was,  to  the  moonshine  of  the 
u-ni-verse,  as  an  un-ob-Z/-w-sive  moi-c-ty  of  a 
poun-cet-hox. 

198.  Prolongation  of  Sound.  Let  the  pu- 
pil take  a  lesson  of  the  ferryman.  A  travel- 
er arrives  at  the  brink  of  a  wide  river, 
which  he  wishes  to  cross ;  one  ferry-man  is 
on  the  other  side,  and,  by  chance,  one  is  on 
this  side:  the  traveler  halloos,  in  the  com- 
mon speaking  voice,  using  principally  the 
chest ;  of  course  his  voice  soon  becomes  dis- 
sipated. He  is  informed  that  his  call  cannot 
be  heard :  listen  to  me,  says  this  son  of  na- 
ture,-   "O ver,  0 ver,   0 

ver:"  making  each  accented  vowel  two  sec- 
onds long :  try  it  and  see  ;  extending  your 
e ye  and  mind  at  a  distance;  which  will  aid 
the  prolongation. 

199.  In  exercising  on  accent,  for  a  time 
at  least,  go  to  extremes,  and  make  the  ac- 
cented vowels  as  prominent  to  the  ear,  as 
the  following  ones  are  to  the  eye  ;  a-bAse- 
ment,  im-pE-ri-ous,  I-dol-ize,  O-ver-throw, 
beaU-ti-ful,  Oil-mill,  OU-ter-most.  Ex. 
1.  The  Zw-na-tic  z-bode  at  the  ca-i^e-dral, 
till  the  an-nun-ci-u-tion,  that  the  an-te-di- 
7;{-vi-ans — had  con-vey'd  the  hy-dro-pfto-bia 
to  Di-a-na  of  the  E-p/te-sians.  2.  The  pa- 
triots and  ma-trons  of  the  rev-o-Zw-tion,  by 
their  lmr-mo-ni-ous  co-op-e-ra-tion,  de- 
thron'd  the  f?/-rants  that  were  rw-ling  our 
peo-ple  with  an  un-7io-ly  rod  of  t-ron. 

Anecdote.  Baising  Bent.  "  Sir,  I  in- 
tend to  raise  your  rent,'" — said  a  land-holder 
— to  one  of  his  tenants  :  to  which  he  replied, 
— "  I  am  very  much  obliged  to  you, — for  I 
cannot  raise  it  myself." 

Notes.     1.  As  vowels  are  either  long  or  short,  different  de- 
ir  ■  -es  of  length  do  not  affect  any  one  of  the  long  ones,  so  far  as 
the  quality  of  the  sound  is  concerned  ;  the  e  in  de-vise,  and  the  o, 
in  do-miwi— are  the  same  as  to  length,  (not  force,)  as  they  are  in 
'  -tard;  thus  we  have  long  accented  vowels,  and  long 
un-acccnted  ones.    2.  We  make  accent  by  quantity,  when  the 
accented  vowels  are  long,  and  by  st.  as  when  they  are  short.    3. 
The  short  vowels  are  of  the  same  length,  but  not  so  the  long  ones. 
"  Blessed  is  the  man, 
Who  hears  the  voice  of  nature;  who,  retired 
From  bustling  life,  can  feel  thegladdening  beam, 
The  hope,  that  breathes  of  Paradise.    Thy  deeds, 
Sweet  Peace,  are  music — to  the  exulting  mind  ; 
Thy  prayer,  tike  tneente — wafted  on  the  gale 
Of  morning  spreads  amlirosia,  as  the  cloud 
Of  spicy  sweets— perfumes  the  whispering  breeze, 
That  scents  Arabia's  wild." 


Proverbs.  1.  Men  of  limited  attainments — 
generally  condemn  every  thing  they  cannot 
comprehend.  2.  Wit — should  flow  spontaneously; 
it  cannot  be  produced  by  study.  3.  Buoyancy  of 
spirit — greatly  diminishes  the  pressure  of  misfor- 
tune. 4.  The  surest  method  of  being  deceived  is 
—  to  consider  ourselves  —  more  cunning  than 
others.  5.  Envious  persons— always  view,  with 
an  evil  eye,  the  prosperity  of  others.  G.  It  is  a 
proof  of  mediocrity  of  intellect — to  be  addicted  to 
story-telling.  7.  When  we  give  way  to  passion, 
we  do  every  thing  amiss.  S.  Truth — needs  no 
disguise,  nor  does  she  want  embellishment.  9.  A 
mind  diseased  —  cannot  bear  any  thing  harsh. 
10.  Never  utter  what  is  false,  nor  hesitate  to 
speak  what  is  true.  11.  Trifles — often  discover 
a  character — more  than  actions  of  importance. 
12.  The  Bible — is  a  perfect  body  of  divinity. 

Body  and  Mind.  The  science  of  hu- 
man nature — is  valuable,  as  an  introduction 
to  the  science  of  the  Divine  nature ;  for 
man — was  made  "  in  the  image,  and  after 
the  likeness,"  of  his  Maker:  a  knowledge 
of  the  former — facilitates  that  of  the  latter  ; 
and  to  know,  revere,  and  humbly  adore,  is 
the  first  duty  of  man.  To  obtain  just  and 
impartial  views  of  human  nature,  we  must 
not  disconnect  the  object  of  our  study,  and 
consider  the  mind,  body,  and  actio?is,  each 
by  itself,  but  the  whole  man  together  ;  which 
may  be  contemplated  under  two  different 
aspects,  —  of  spirit  and  of  matter  ;  on  the 
body — shines  the  sun  of  nature,  and  on  the 
mind — that  better  light,  which  is  the  true 
light :  here,  is  a  real  man,  having  essence, 
form,  and  use,  which  is  clad  in  the  habili- 
ments of  beauty,  and  majesty;  meeting  us 
now,  and  which  will  meet  us  hereafter,  as  a 
purely  spiritual  being,  in  every  possible 
stage  of  nis  future  existence. 

Varieties.     I.  Can  we  be  a  friend,  and 
an  enemy — at  the  same  time?     2.  Every  one 
should    be   considered   innocent,    till    he  w 
proved  guilty.    3.  It  is  not  sufficient  that  you 
are  heard,  you  must  be  heard  with  pleasure. 
4.  There  is  a  great  difference  between  poetry 
and  rhymetry  ;  the  former  grows,  the  latter 
— is  made.     5.  If  your  money  is  your  God, 
it  will  plague  you  like  the  Devil.     6.  Order 
— is  one,  in   revelation,  man,  creation,  and 
the  universe  ;  each — respects  the  other,  anej 
is  a  resemblance  of  it. 
Man — is  dear  to  man  ;  the  poorest  poor 
Long  for  some  moments,  in  a  weary  life, 
When  they  can  know,  and  feel,  that  they  have  been 
Themselves — the  fathers,  and  the  dealers  out 
Of  some  small  blessings — have  been  kind  to  such 
As  needed  kindness  ; — for  this  single  cause, 
That  we  have  all  of  us — a  human  heart- 
Such  pleasure — is  to  one  kind  being  known, 
My  neighbor,  when,  with  punctual  care,  each  week, 
Duly  as  Friday  comes,  though  press'd  herself 
By  her  own  wants,  she,  from  her  store  of  meal, 
Takes  one  unsparing  handful  for  the  scrip 
Of  this  old  mendicant ;  and,  from  her  door. 
Returning  with  exhilarated  heart, 
Sits  by  her  fire,  and  builds  her  hopes  in  heaven. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


71 


200.  Accent.  The  intentions  of  the 
mind — are  manifested  by  the  accent  of  the 
voice,  as  are  those  of  a  tailor,  when  he  makes 
a  gentleman's  coat ;  or  of  a  manluamaker, 
when  she  makes  a  lady's  gown  ;  there  is  a 
meaning,  an  end,  in  all.  The  three  great 
categories  of  knowledge  are  end,  cause  and 
effect ;  reflection  and  experience  will  convince 
those  who  would  be  wise,  that  the  end  or  pur- 
pose, is  the  first  thing, — the  cause  or  medium, 
the  second,  and  the  effect,  or  animation  of 
the  co-operation  of  end  and  cause,  the  third 
thing.  Now  the  feeling,  or  affection,  is  the 
J(>^/  thing ;  the  thought — is  the  second  thing : 
and  the  action — the  third  thing :  the  affection 
and  the  vowel  sound  are  connected,  the 
thought  and  the  consonant,  and  all  become 
manifest,  when  the  word  is  properly  made, 
by  the  application  of  accent,  and  enuncia- 
tion. 

201.  Now,  as  the  affectuous  part  of  the 
mind  operates,  especially,  on  those  lower 
nerves  and  muscles,  that  are  combined  to 
produce  the  vowel  sounds,  and  the  intellectual 
part  of  the  mind  co-operates  with  the  lungs, 
to  form  the  consonant  sounds,  and  the  two 
unite — to  make  the  word,  by  the  use  of  the 
accent,  through  the  agency  of  which,  feelings 
and  thoughts  are  conveyed, — it  will  be  per- 
ceived, that  whenever  there  is  a  change  of  the 
seat  of  accent,  there  may  be  a  com 
change  of  the  meaning  of  the  word:  or 
rather,  a  change  of feeling  produces  a  change 
of  thought,  and  the  two  produce  a  correspon- 
ding change  in  the  seat  of  accent :  as — au- 
gust,  sMrgust ;  prod-nee,  prod-wee ;  gal- 
lant,  ga\-lant. 

202.  Change  of  the  scat  of  accent  accord- 
ing to  sense.  They  bom-bard  the  town,  with 
oom-bards,  and  ce-ment  their  cannon  with 
cem-ent,  and  call  upon  their  colleagues  to 
Col-/  ague  together,  col-lect  their  soldiers,  and 
offer  up  their  col-lects.  He  com-ments  upon 
their  com-ments,  while  they  com-mcrce  about 
the  cow-merce,  and  com-mon-place  their  com- 
mon-place business.  The  cow-pact  was  en- 
tered into  in  a  corn-pact  manner,  while  the 
soldiers  corn-plot  together  in  a  cow-plot,  and 
corn-port  themselves  with  a  becoming  com- 
port. The  farmer  corn-posts  his  fields  with 
excellent  cow-post,  and  out  of  the  cow-pound 
lie  corn-pounds  a  fruitful  soil ;  which,  when 

'«'(/,  makes  a  very  fine  cow-press  for 
the  grain. 

My  birthday  !  what  a  different  sound 
That  word  had—in  my  youthful  ears  ! 
And  how.  each  time — the  day  came  round, 
Less,  and  less  white — its  mark  appears  ! 
WhenJJrsI — our  scanty  years  are  told, 
It  seems  like  pastime — to  crow  old. 
And  as  youth — counts  the  shilling  links, 
That  time— around  him  binds  so  fast, 
Pleased  with  the  task,  he  little  thinks, 
How  hard  that  chain  will  press — at  last. 


Anecdote.  When  Lieutenant  O  Brien 
was  blown  up,  in  the  Edgar,  and  thrown  on 
board  the  Admiral,  all  black  and  wet,  he 
said  to  the  commander,  with  pleasantry,  "  I 
hope  sir,  you  will  excuse  my  dirty  appear- 
ance ;  for  I  left  the  ship  in  so  great  a  hurry, 
that  I  had  not  time  to  change  my  dress."' 

Proverbs.  1.  Every  thing  great — is  com- 
posed of  minute  particles-  2.  Nothing— bears  a 
stronger  resemblance  to  a  mad-man  than  a  drun- 
kard. 3.  Pleasure,  purchased  by  pain,  is  always 
injurious.  4.  The  act  is  to  be  judged  of,  by  the 
intention  of  the  person,  who  does  it.  5.  Theory, 
without  practice,  however  plausible,  seldom 
tends  to  a  successful  issue.  G.  Reflect  well,  be- 
fore you  say  yes,  or  710.  7.  Be  cautious — in  giv- 
ing advice,  and  ronsidei — before  you  follow  it. 
8.  A  man,  fond  of  disputing,  will,  in  time,  have 
t'aw  friends  to  dispute  with.  9.  Young  people 
are  apt  to  think  themselves  wise  enough  ;  as 
di  unkards — think  themselves  sober  enough.  10. 
Injustice — cannot  exist  without  agents.  11.  IV  o 
great  loss,  but  some  small  gain.  12.  No  smoke, 
without  some  fire. 

Reading  Discourses.  As  the  reading 
of  written  discourses  is  so  common,  it  is  very 
desirable,  that  the  speaker  should  unite  the 
advantages  of  written,  or  printed  composi- 
tion, with  extempora?ieous  speaking  ;  which 
can  be  done  by  mastering  the  principles  of 
this  system  ;  then,  though  the  essay  be  a 
mouth,  or  a  year  old,  the  orator  may  give  it 
all  the  appearance  and  freshness  of  oral  dis- 
course. Many  public  men  have  injured 
iheir  health  by  slavishly  coding  their  dis- 
courses, instead  of  speaking  them  ;  there 
being  such  an  inseparable  connection  be- 
tween thinking  and  breathing,  that  the  effort 
to  read,  especially  from  a  manuscript,  tends 
to  ihe  use  of  the  thorax,  or  lungs.  If  we 
were  taught  to  read  by  ear,  instead  of  by 
sight,  there  would  be  no  difficulty  in  this 
exercise:  there  must  be  a  revolution — in 
regard  to  teachi?ig  and  learning  this  impor- 
tant art,  or  sad  will  continue  to  be  the  con- 
sequences. 

Varieties.  1.  Were  the  Texians  right, 
in  rebelling  against  Mexico?  2.  If  woman 
taught  the  philosophy  of  love,  who  would 
not  learn  ?  3.  Do  not  yield  to  misfortunes; 
but  resist  them,  with  unceasing  firmness. 
4.  Procrastination — is  the  thief  of  time.  5. 
No  one  is  qualified  to  command,  who  has 
not  learned  to  obey.  6.  A  laugh — costs  too 
much,  if  purchased  at  the  expense  of  pro- 
priety. 7.  Words,  fitly  spoken  from  a  life 
of  love,  are  exceedingly  sweet,  and  profitable 
to  all. 

Beware,  ye  slaves  of  vice  and  infamy, 
Beware — choose  not  religion's  sacred  name, 
To  sanctify  your  crimes — your  falsehood  shield. 
Profane  not  your  Creator's  boundless  power, 
Or  lest  his  ven gcance—fall  upon,  and  crush  ye 

It  is  an  awful  heiirht — of  human  pride, 
When  we  dare — robe  ourselves  in  sanctity, 
While  all  is  dark  impiety  within  ! 
This,  surely,  is  the  aggregate  of  sin, 
The  last — to  be  forgiven— by  heaven,  or  man. 


72 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


303,  The  subject  of  accent,  being  of  pri- 
mary importance,  should  be  dwelt  upon,  till 
its  principles,  and  their  application,  are  per- 
fectly familiar.  Remember,  it  is  the  principal 
external  means,  of  making  words — out  of  let- 
ters and  syllables:  comparatively,  it  is  the 
thread  with  which  we  make  the  garments 
for  our  thoughts,  and  thus  manifest  the  ob- 
jects which  the  mind  has  in  view  in  clothing 
them  in  different  ways,  and  making  them 
alive  with/<?efe?g-.  The  mental  power  of  ac- 
cent, is  in  the  will,  or  voluntary  principle, 
and  the  physical  force  is  from  the  combined 
action  of  the  lower  muscles,  in  connection 
with  the  diaphragm  ;  hence,  it  may  be  per- 
ceived, that  in  simply  expelling  vowel  sounds, 
as  always  insisted  upon,  we  at  the  same  time, 
acquire  the  power  of  making  the  accent;  for 
expulsion — is  accent,  radical,  or  stress.  If 
you  do  not  master  accent,  you  cannot  suc- 
ceed in  becoming  an  elocutionist. 

204.  Change  of  the  seat  of  accent.  On 
her  era-trance,  she  was  en-tranced  at  being 
es-cort-eA  by  a  grand  es-cort:  I  essay  to 
make  an  essay  to  ex-i7e  the  cr-iles :  ex-port 
the  ea;-ports,  with -out  ex-tract-ing  the  ex- 
tracts for  the  cx-frarl-c.rs :  the  afr-ject  fel-lows 
nb-jeet  the  gifts,  and  the  absent  minded  ab- 
sent themselves  from  the  party :  he  abstracts 
the  abstracts  and  aWnft-utes  the  aMri-butes 
to  others :  I  lay  the  ere-cent  on  the  ac-ceratf-erl 
vowel,  and  affix  the  af-hx  to  the  final  sylla- 
ble, and  make  owg-ment  in  the  right  place 
and  ang-ment  the  word  in  .4u-gust,  and  thus 
make  the  idea  au-gust. 

]Votes.  1.  Be  careful  in  placing  the  accent  on  the  right 
syllable :  ad-ucr-tise-ment,  al-Ft'ey,  cont-peo-sate,  in-oui-ry,  de-co-rus, 
or-tho-e-py,  ar-is-roc-ra-cy,  ac-ccpf-a-ble,  Ar-e-op-a-gus,  ac-ces-so- 
ry,  ?;p-right-]y :  for  if  you  place  the  accent  on  the  wrong  vowel, 
you  partially  pervert  the  meaning,  or  render  it  ridiculous :  as,  I 
saw  an  au-gust  spectacle  in  Au-gust.  2.  In  singing  accent  is  al- 
ways made  by  stress:  and  the  first  note  of  each  full  measure  ac- 
otnt-ed. 

Laconics.  Labor  is  honorable  in  all,  from 
the  king  on  the  throne  to  the  mendicant  in 
the  street  ;  and  let  him  or  her,  who  is  a- 
shamed  to  toil  for  themselves,  or  the  benefit 
of  their  race,  be  more  ashamed  to  consume 
the  industry  and  labor  of  others,  for  which 
they  do  not  render  an  equivalent. 

The  rose  had  been  washed,  just  washed  in  a  shower. 

Which  Mary — to  Anna — conveyed  ; 
The  plentiful  moisture — encumbered  the  flower, 

And  weighed  down  its  beautiful  head. 
The  dip  was  all  fined,  and  the  leaves  were  all  wet, 

And  Mseemed,  U,^  fanciful  view, 
To  toeep  for  the  buds— it  had  left  with  regret, 

On  the  flourishing  Irnsh — where  it  grew. 
Ihastily  seized  if,  unfit  as  it  was 

Fora  notczay,  so  dripping  and  drowned 
And  swinging  it  rudely,  loo  rudely,  alas  '. 

I  snapped  it, — it  fell  to  the  ground. 
And  such,  I  exclaimed,  is  the  pititess  part, 

Seme  act— by  the  delicate  mind, 
Regardless  of  wringing—  and  breaking  a  heart, 

Already  to  sorrow  resigned. 
This  elegant  ruse,  had  I  shaken  it  less, 

Might  bare  bloomed  with  its  owner  awhile: 
And  the  tear,  that  is  wiped,  with  a  little  address, 

May  be  followed,  perhaps,  by  a  smile. 


Proverbs.  1.  Beware  of  reading,  without 
thinking  of  the  subject.  2.  A  man  rarely  deceives 
another  but  ome.  3.  A  good  paymaster  is  lord  of 
another  man's  purse.  4.  He  is  most  secure  from 
danger,  who,  even  when  conscious  of  safety,  is 
on  his  guard.  5.  The  pitcher  may  go  often  to  the 
well,  and  be  broken  at  last.  6.  A  good  companion, 
makes  good  company.  7.  Let  every  one  choose, 
according  to  his  own  fancy.  8.  A  comparison — is 
no  reason.  9.  Your  looking-glass — will  tell  you 
what  none  of  your  friends  will.  10.  The  human 
heart  wants  something  to  be  kind  to.  11.  Many 
hands  make  light  work.  12.  Ask  your  purse  — 
what  you  shall  buy. 

Anecdote.  Blundering  on  the  Truth. 
An  ignorant  fellow,  who  was  about  to  be 
married,  resolved  to  make  himself  perfect  in 
the  responses  of  the  marriage  service  ;  but, 
by  mistake,  he  committed  the  office  of  bap- 
tism for  those  of  riper  years  :  so,  when  the 
clergyman  asked  him,  in  the  church, — 
"  Wilt  thou  have  this  ivoman  to  thy  wedded 
wifeV  The  bridegroom  answered,  in  a 
very  solemn  tone  ;  "  I  renounce  them  all." 
The  astonished  minister  said — "  I  think  you 
are  a  fool .-" — to  which  he  replied,  "  All  this 
I  steadfastly  believe." 

Analogies.  As,  in  the  succession  of  the 
seasons,  each,  by  the  invariable  laws  of  na- 
ture, affects  the  productions  of  what  is  next. 
in  course  ;  so,  in  human  life,  every  period 
of  our  age, — according  as  it  is  well  or  ill 
spent,  influences  the  happiness  of  that  which 
is  to  follow.  Virtuous  youth  —  generally 
brings  forward  accomplished  and  flourishing 
manhood;  and  such  manhood  passes  off. 
without  inieasiness,  into  respectable  and 
tranquil  old  age.  When  nature — is  turned 
out  of  its  regular  course,  disorder  takes 
place — in  the  moral,  just  as  in  the  vegetable 
world.  If  the  spring — put  forth  no  blossoms, 
in  summer — there  will  be  no  beauty,  and  in 
the  autumn — no  fruit.  If  youth — be  trifled 
away  without  improvement,  manhood  will  be 
contemptible — and  old  age — miserable.  If 
the  beghmings  of  life — have  been  vanity, — 
its  latter  end  can  be  no  other  than  vexation 
of  spirit. 

Varieties.  1.  Is  there  any  such  thing  as 
time  and  space,  in  the  ivorld  of  mind?  2. 
Any  book  that  is  worth  reading  once,  is 
worth  reading  twice.  3.  Most  misfortunes 
— may  be  turned  into  blessings,  by  watching 
the  tide  of  affairs.  4.  When  the  wicked  are 
in  power,  innocence  and  integrity  are  sure 
to  be  persecuted.  5.  Give  people  proper 
books,  and  teach  them  how  to  read  them, 
and  they  will  educate  themselves.  6.  Un- 
limited powers — should  not  be  trusted  in  the 
hands  of  anyone,  who  is  not  endowed  with 
perfection,  —  more  than  human.  7.  The 
truths  of  the  Bible  are  the  seeds  of  order  ; 
and  as  is  the  reception,  such  will  be  the 
produce. 

Faults — in  the  life,  breed  errors  in  the  brain, 
And  these,  reciprocally,  those  again  : 
The  mind,  and  conduct — mutually  imprint, 
And  stamp  their  image — in  each  other's  mint. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


73 


205.  To  accomplish  the  objects  in  view, 
the  development  and  perfection  of  the  voice 
for  reading,  speaking  and  singing,  a  great 
variety  of  exercises  and  examples,  are  intro- 
duced, containing  sense  and  nonsense;  and 
attention  can  be  given  to  both  kinds,  accord- 
ing to  their  uses.  Let  it  be  remembered,  that 
the  forty-four  sounds  of  the  language  are  the 
fountains,  from  which  are  to  flow  every  stream 
of  elocution  and  music:  and  these  are  con- 
tinually before  us.  No  one  can  succeed  in 
silently  reading,  or  thinking  over  the  sub- 
jects: practice  is  the  great  thing;  therefore, 
frequently  repeat  the  sounds,  read  by  vowels, 
spell  by  sounds,  and  exercise  in  accent  and 
emphasis,  with  all  the  other  modifications. 

306.  They  con-cert  a  plan  to  get  up  a  con- 
cert, and  as  they  con-cord  the  con-cords  of  the 
notes,  they  con-crefc  the  con-crete  tones  with 
such  admirable  con-duct,  as  to  con-duct  the 
whole  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  audience.  He 
con-fecfs  the  sugar  with  delicious  con-fects, 
although  he  con-fines  his  efforts  to  the  con- 
fines of  the  room ;  and  without  con^ic-ting 
in  any  serious  con-  flict,  he  con-serves  the  con- 
serves in  such  a  way  as  to  con-sort  with  his 
con-sort  without  con-fe^-ing  with  any  seri- 
ous con-test.  I  will  con-text  the  con-text,  so 
as  to  con-tract  the  con-tract-ing  in  a  strong 
con-tract,  the  con-vent,  so  as  to  con-vent  its 
inmates,  while  they  con-verse  in  familiar  con- 
verse. 

207.  Among  the  more  difficult  acquisi- 
tions, is  the  ability  to  prolong  sounds  in 
strongly  marked  accented  and  emphatic 
words,  involving  the  kindlier  feelings  of  our 
nature;  to  succeed  in  which,  practice  single 
long  vowel  sounds  in  separate  words,  and  al- 
so in  short  and  long  phrases;  as  a le; 

Id ;  oo ze ;  mu te ;  pu ss ;  oi 1 ; 

ou r ;  also,  old  armed  chair ;  wheel  to  the 

right;    roll  the  flames  and  join  fhe    mt/se; 
glowing  hope ;  praise  the  lofty  dome. 

IVotCS.  1.  The  attempt  is  not  made  any  where,  to  give  a 
perfect  notation  of  the  manner  in  which  one  is  to  read  ;  and  some 
words  are  more  or  less  emphatic,  that  are  printed  in  common 
type  ;  while  certain  words,  which  are  not  very  important  as  to 
meaning;,  are  printed  in  itaTics.  2.  Never  mind  the  rou%h  appear- 
ance of  the  examples ;  but  make  them  smooth  in  your  delivery. 

Anecdote.  Self-love.  The  first  consid- 
eration of  a  knave  is — how  to  help  himself  ; 
and  the  second,  how  to  do  it  with  an  appear- 
ance of  helping  others.  Dionysius.  the  ty- 
rant, stripped  the  statue  of  Jupiter  Olympus, 
of  a  robe  of  massy  gold,  and  substituted  a 
cloak  of  wool,  saying — "  Gold  is  too  cold  in 
winter,  and  too  heavy  in  the  summer — it  be- 
hooves us  to  take  care  oi  Jupiter.'''' 

When  was  public  virtue  to  be  found, 

Where  private  was  not  1 

Can  he  love  the  whole, 

Who  loves  no  part  ? 

He — be  a  nation's  friend, 

Who,  in  truth,  is  the  friend  of  no  man  there  ? 
10 


Proverbs.  1 .  Instead  of  saying  "  I  can't,"  say 
"I  will."  2.  Acquire  knowledge  that  may  be 
useful.  3.  If  possible,  remove  your  own  difficul- 
ties. 4.  Husband  your  time,  and  waste  neither 
that,  nor  your  money.  5.  Try  to  exert  a  good 
influence,  wherever  you  are.  6.  A  little  stone  can 
make  a  great  bruise.  7.  Unwearied  diligence 
the  point  will  gain.  8.  Cultivate  good  domestic 
habits.  9.  Some  rather  reflect  truth  than  practice 
it.  10.  Man  is  a  mi-cro-cosm,  or  little  world. 
11.  Winter  finds  what  Summer  conceals.  12.  Two 
of  a  trade  seldom  agree. 

Important.  Let  the  orator  consider  him- 
self the  connecting  link,  or  medium,  between 
the  mental  and  natural  world:  i.  e.  that  the 
spiritual  world  is  progressing  down  into  the 
material  world;  and  that  all  his  muscles  and 
vocal  powers  are  the  proper  organs,  thro7 
which  it  is  to  flow.  Hence,  the  necessity  of 
developing  and  training,  perfectly,  those  me- 
diums of  communication,  that  every  thing  in 
the  matter,  may  tell,  effectually,  in  the  man- 
ner. Much,  very  much  depends  upon  the 
state  of  his  own  mind ;  for,  according  to  that 
— will  be  the  influence  shed  abroad  on  the 
minds  of  others.  Conceive  yourself  the  rep- 
resentative of  a  vast  concourse  of  associated 
minds,  and  be  the  true  representative  of  your 
constituents. 

Varieties.  1 .  Are  fictitious  writings  bene- 
ficial? 2.  .E-go-tism  (or  self-commendation,) 
is  always  disgusting,  and  should  be  carefully 
avoided.  3.  A  man  cannot  call  a  better  phy- 
sician than  himself,  if  he  will  take  all  the 
good  advice  he  gives  to  others.  4.  Why  is  the 
human  mind  like  a  garden  1  because  you  can 
sow  what  seeds  you  please  in  it.  5.  Good 
and  bad  fortune  are  necessary,  to  prepare  us 
to  meet  the  contingencies  of  life.  6.  Be  not 
too  much  afraid  of  offending  others,  by  telling 
the  truth :  nor  stoop  to  flattery  nor  mean- 
ness, to  gain  their  favor.  7.  The  whole  oui- 
voard  creation,  with  its  every  particular  and 
movement,  is  but  a  theatre  and  scene  of  ef- 
fects, brought  forth  into  existence,  and  mov- 
ed by  interior  spiritual  causes,  proper  to  the 
spiritual  world. 

To  the  curious  eye 

A  little  monitor — presents  her  page 

Of  choice  instruction,  wilh  her  snowy  bells— 

The  lily  nf  the  vale    She,  not  affects 

The  public  walk,  nor  gaze,  of  mid-day  sun.' 

Site — to  no  state  or  dignity  aspires, 

But,  silent  and  alone,  puts  on  her  suit, 

And  sheds  her  lasting  pcr-fume,  but  for  which 

We  had  not  known— there  was  a  thing — so  sweet 

Hid — in  the  gloomy  shade.     So,  when  the  blast 

Her  sister  tribes  confounds,  and,  to  the  earth 

Stoops  their  high  heads,  that  vainly  were  exposed, 

She  feels  it  not,  but  flourishes  anew, 

Still  sheltered  and  secure.    And  so  the  storm, 

That  makes  the  huge  dm  couch,  and  rends  the  oak, 

The  humble  lily  spares.    A  thousand  blows, 

That  shake  the  lofty  monarch,  on  his  throne, 

We  lesser  folks  feel  not.    Keen  are  the  pains 

Advancement  often  brings.    To  be  secure, 

Be  humble ;  to  be  happy,  be  content. 


74 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


208.  The  question  is  often  asked — which 
receives  the  accent,  the  vowel  or  the  conso- 
nant? The  reply  is,  sometimes  one,  and  at 
others,  both,  when  they  are  connected.  In  a- 
ble,  the  accent  is  all  ona;  in  no-b\e,  the  n 
and  o  receive  the  accent,  but  principally  the 
0;  in  presume,  the  accent  is  mostly  on  u ; 
and  is  imparted  to  s  and  rn,  terminating  on 
the  m.  Although  this  fact  is  perfectly  obvi- 
ous, yet  one  book  that  purports  to  have  pass- 
ed through  seven  editions,  insists  that  vowels 
are  never  accented.  I  would  ask  that  author, 
what  letter  receives  the  accent  of  the  proper 
name  A-i  in  the  Bible,  since  it  has  two  sylla- 
bles, and  yet  there  are  no  consonants.  Let 
us  beware  of  wrong  guides  as  well  as  blind 
ones. 

209.  Half  accented  vowel  sounds.  There 
is  an  inferior,  or  half  accent,  on  certain  words 
of  three  or  more  syllables,  which  shoidd  be 
observed;  and,  although  given  distinctly, 
must  be  kept  within  the  vanish  of  the  accent- 
ed ones.  The  rfem-o-cRAT-ic  co/i-ver-SA-tion 
re-speci-ing  the  ti-x-ra.  was  het-e-ro-GT.-ne-us 
to  a  de/M-on-STRA-tion;  a  met-a-mis-i-cal 
A7/p-o-cHON-driaisrec-om-MEN-da-to-ryof  su- 
per-a-Bux-dant  prod-i-G  AL-i-ty :  the  z?i-com- 
pre-HEN-si-ble  jsZm-i-po-TEN-ti-a-ry  is  an  am- 
pli-fi-c  A-tion  of  %-dro-rHo-bi-a ;  the  per-r>en- 
dic-u-LAR-i-ty  of  the  g-e«-er-al-is-si-mo,  and 
the  mag-na-NiM-i-ty  of  thep/n/-an-THROP-i- 
cal  re-ca-pit-u-LA-tion  was  cAar-ac-ter-is-tic 
of  the  i«-cor-rup-ti-BiL-i-ty  of  his  in-con- 
s  id  -er-a-ble-ness. 

210.  The  mere  mention  of  Oratory,  reminds 
us  of  the  early  times  of  Egypt,  Greece,  and 
Rome ;  when  there  flourished  a  Levite,  who 
was  an  important  instrument  in  delivering  an 
ancient  people  from  captivity ;  one  of  whose 
qualifications  for  his  high  office,  was,  that  he 
could  "speak  well;" — a  Demosthenes,  the 
magic,  music,  and  witchery  of  whose  ele- 
quence,  it  is  impossible  to  translate  or  de- 
scribe ; — a  Cicero,  whose  oratory  was  copious, 
correct,  ornate,  and  magnificent ; — each  of 
whom  was  pre-eminent  in  his  own  style  and 
manner, — the  Grecian — carrying  the  citadel 
by  storm,  and  the  Roman  taking  it  after  a 
regular  and  most  beautifully  conducted  siege ; 
— of  a  Peter,  and  Paul,  pleading  in  the 
cause  of  Heaven,  and  holding  vast  multitudes 
in  breathless  silence,  making  even  Judges 
tremble  in  their  high  places; — of  more  mod- 
ern times,  whose  history  presents  us  the  name 

"  of  a  Chatham,  a  Burke,  and  a  Fox,  in  the  as- 
sembly ;  and  those  of  a  Bourdaloue,  Massil- 
Um,  Bridane,  and  Whitfield,  in  the  pulpit ; 
also  the  orators  of  our  own  time  and  land ; 
some  of  whom,  in  many  respects,  will  not 
suffer  by  a  comparison  with  any  of  their  il- 
lustrious predecessors. 

Praising — what  is  lost, 
Makes  the  remembrance — dear. 


Proverbs.  1.  Show  me  a  liar,  and  I  will 
show  you  a  thief.  2.  The  best  mode  of  instruc- 
tion is — to  practice  what  we  teach.  3.  Vain  glo- 
ry blossoms,  but  never  bears.  4.  Wei!  to  judge, 
depends  on  well  to  hear.  5.  He  who  is  wicked 
in  the  country,  will  be  wicked  in  the  town.  6. 
He  who  preaches  war,  is  the  devil's  chaplain. 
7.  You  will  never  have  a  friend,  if  you  must 
have  one  without  failings.  8.  A  bad  man  in  of- 
fice, is  a  public  calamity.  9.  That  war  only  is 
just,  which  is  necessary.  10.  The  worst  of  law 
is,  that  one  suit  breeds  twenty.  11.  Be  not  ruin- 
ed by  your  neglect.    12.  Ignorance  is  a  misfortune 

Anecdote.  An  Unwelcome  Visitor.  A 
person,  who  often  intruded  himself  in  a  read- 
ing-room and  library,  to  which  he  was  not  a 
subscriber,  had  his  pet  dog  turned  out  by  the 
crusty  old  sexton ;  who  gave  him  a  kick,  say- 
ing— "you  are  not  a  subscriber  at  any  rate." 
The  intruder  took  the  hint,-  and  never  ap- 
peared again  in  the  establishment,  till  he  be- 
came a  patron. 

Horace,  a  celebrated  Roman  poet,  relates, 
that  a  countryman,  who  wanted  to  pass  a 
river,  stood  loitering  on  the  banks  of  it,  in  the 
foolish  expectation,  that  a  current  so  rapid 
would  soon  discharge  its  waters.  But  the 
stream  still  flowed,  (increased  perhaps  by 
fresh  torrents  from  the  mountains,)  and  it 
must  forever  flow ;  because  the  source  from 
which  it  is  derived,  is  inexhaustible.  Thus, 
the  idle  and  irresolute  youth,  trifles  over  his 
books,  or  squanders,  in  chddish  pursuits,  his 
precious  moments,  deferring  the  business  of 
improvement,  (which  at  first  might  be  render- 
ed easy  and  agreeable,  but  which,  by  delay, 
becomes  more  and  more  difficult,)  until  the 
golden  sands  of  opportunity  have  all  run,  and 
he  is  called  to  action,  without  possessing  the 
requisite  ability. 

"Varieties.  1 .  Has  the  invention  of 'gunpow- 
der been  beneficial  to  the  world  ?  The  mind, 
like  the  soil,  rises  in  value,  according  to  the 
nature  and  degree — of  its  cultivation.  3. 
Labor  and  prudence,  relieve  us  from  three 
great  evils, — vice,  wa?it,  and  indolence.  4. 
A  wise  man  reflects,  before  he  speaks;  a 
foolish  one  speaks,  and  then  reflects  on  what  he 
has  said.  5.  Our  happiness  does  not  consist 
in  being  without  passions,  but  in  having 
command  of  them.  6.  Good — is  never  more 
effectually  accomplished,  than  when  produced 
by  slow  degrees.  7.  True  charity — cannot 
be  conjoined  to  a  persuasion  of  falsity,  flow- 
ing from  evil. 

There's  quiet — in  the  deep  : — 
Above,  lei  titles — and  tempests  rave, 
And  earth-horn  whirlwinds — wake  the  wave; 
Above,  let  care—  and  fear  contend 
With  sin  and  sorrow — to  the  end: 
Here,  far  baieath  the  tainted  foam, 
That  frets — above  our  peaceful  home. 
We  dream  in  joy,  and  wake  in  love, 
Nor  know  the  rage — tnat  yells  above  1 

There's  quiet  in  the  deep ! 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


75 


311.  Unaccented  Vowels.  There  is  great 
beauty  in  pronunciation,  where  each  letter, 
that  is  not  silent,  tells  upon  the  ear  its  true 
character,  and  all  contribute  to  produce  the 
desired  effect :  hence,  the  great  necessity  of 
giving  to  all  letters,  syllables,  and  words, 
their  proper  sounds;  especially,  the  vowels, 
whether  long  or  short,  accented  or  unaccent- 
ed :  as, — on  the  pres-ent  oc-ca-sion  I  shall  not 
txt-tempt  to  prej-\x-A\ce  your  o-pin-ions  or  e- 
mo-tions  to  ac-co/?*-plish  my  ob-jects ;  is  it 
pos-si-ble,  the  /er-ri-ble  of-fence  of  the  g  e/z-er- 
al,  in  ref-er-ence  to  the  ma«-u-scripts,  is  par- 
itc-u-lar-ly  con-spic-u-ous  in  the  rcrf-o-lent 
ca/i-o-py  of  heav-en  !  the  de/-e-gate  re-quests 
me  to  give  an  oc-cu-lar  ed-u-ca-tion  to  his  del- 
i-cote child,  and  be  par-<£c-u-lar  in  its  e-nun- 
ci-a-tion  and  ^ro-nun-ci-a-tion. 

313.  A  con-\ert  is  one,  who  is  con-i!e?r£-ed 
from  one  side  to  another,  and  a  con-vict  is  one 
who  has  been  con-mc-ted  of  some  crime.  The 
con-\oy  con-voyed  the  king  to  his  throne,  and 
placed  a  cor-o-nal  on  his  co-ro-nal  brow.  I 
will  coun-ter-&a£-ance  that  cown-ter-bal-ance, 
and  coun-ter-5»jf  the  enemy's  cown-ter-buff. 
They  will  coun-ter-cAarge  the  coim-ter-charge 
on  England,  and  coun-ter-cAarm  the  broker's 
coun-ter-charm,  while  we  coun-ter-cAecfc  the 
private's  cown-ter-check.  The  general  coun- 
ter-mands  his  officer's  co;m-ter-mand,  as 
we  coun-ter-marcA  our  co  im-ter-march.  We 
will  coun-ter-j9/o£  your  couw-ter-plots,  and 
eoun-ter-mme  your  cown-ter-mines.  He  coun- 
ter-poised their  cwm-ter-poise,  and  coun-ter- 
vailed  their  cotm-ter-vail. 

Bfot€S.  1.  Different  words,  as  well  as  the  same  words, 
may  be  accented  on  different  vowels,  according  to  the  object  con- 
templated j  thus — ut'-brate,  pro-pose,  brig-ade,  /itw-band,  au-gaist, 
in-gust,  com-pound.  2.  The  accent  is  generally  on  the  root,  or 
theme  of  the  word ;  but  sometimes  on  the  suh/rdinate  part  3. 
In  reading  poetry,  the  accent  may  be  different  from  what  it  would 
be  in  prose,  for  the  sake  of  the  melody  of  the  verse.  4.  Remem- 
ber, vowels  must  be  prolonged  on  their  radical  parts,  not  on  their 
va?iishing  movements.  5.  Observe  how  lively,  varied  and  inter- 
esting a  passage  is,  when  pronounced  with  proper  accentual  force ; 
and  see  how  insipid  and  monotonous  without  it.  6.  Always  let 
your  accent  be  well  marked  and  sustained  j  then  your  delivery  will 
be  brilliant,  sprightly  and  effective. 

Anecdote.  Undergoing  a  great  hard- 
ship. During  a  trial  in  Court,  where  judge 
Parsons  presided,  a  lawyer  desired  to  know 
what  a  witness  meant  by  keel-hauling.  "  Do 
you  not  know?"  replied  the  judge;  "he 
means  that  it  is  undergoing  a  great  hard 
ship,  to  be  sure!" 

Fare  thee  well  I  the  ship  is  ready, 
And  the  breeze — is  fresh  and  steady. 
Hands  are  fast  the  anchor  weighing  ; 
High  in  air — the  streamer's  playing. 
Spread  the  sails — the  waves  are  swelling 
Proudly  round  thy  buoyant  dwelling; 
Fare  thee  well  I  and  when  at  sea, 
Think  of  those  who  sigh  for  thee. 

Acquaintance  grew ;  the  acquaintance  they  improved 
To  friendship ;  friendship— ripenend  into  love. 


Proverbs.  1.  Our  best  security  consists  in 
innocence,  and  the  cheering  influence  of  approv- 
ing conscience.  2.  Tardiness  and  precipitation 
are  extremes  equally  to  be  avoided.  3.  The 
brave  may  fall,  but  never  yield.  4.  Books  alone 
can  never  teach  the  use  of  books.  5.  Common 
fame — is  often  a  common  liar.  6.  Words — are 
leaves  ;  deeds  are  fruits.  7.  Deserve  success,  and 
you  shall  command  it.  8.  False  friends  are 
worse  than  open  enemies.  9.  Goodness  alone, 
enriches  the  possessor.  10.  He  who  avoids  the 
temptation,  avoids  the  sin.  11.  Knowledge  is  no 
burden.     12.  Man  proposes,  and  God  disposes. 

Woman.  What  a  consoler  is  woman ! 
None  but  her  presence  can  so  win  a  man 
from  his  sorrow,  make  placid  the  knit  brow, 
and  wreathe  the  stern  lip  into  a  smile.  The 
soldier — becomes  a  lightsome  boy  at  her  feet ; 
the  anxious  statesman — smiles  himself  back 
to  free-hearted  you th beside  her;  and  the  still 
and  shaded,  countenance  of  care — brightens 
beneath  her  influence,  as  the  closed  flower 
blooms  in  the  sunshine. 

Varieties.  1 .  What  is  truth  ?  Heaven  and 
earth,  are  interested  in  tliis  momentous  ques- 
tion. 2.  Flee  from  sloth;  for  the  indolence 
of  the  soul,  is  the  decay  of  the  body.  3.  Elo- 
quence is  of  two  kinds, — that  of  the  heart, 
which  is  called  divine  ;  and  that  of  the  head, 
which  is  made  up  of  conceit  and  sophistry. 
4.  It  is  no  small  grief  to  one's  good  nature, 
to  try  his  friends.  5.  Talk  not  of  the  love 
that  outlives  adversity  ;  the  love,  that  remains 
with  it,  is  a  thousand  times  more  rare.  6. 
Deliberate  with  caution,  and  act  with  preci- 
sion ;  yield  with  grace,  and  oppose  with 
firmness.  7.  The  internal  man  is  formed  in 
the  body,  as  a  tree  in  the  ground,  or  a  seed  in 
the  fruit. 

AUTUMN  EVENING. 
Behold — the  western  evening  light ! 

It  melts — in  deepening  gloom  ; 
So  calmly — Christians  sink  away, 

Descending — to  the  tomb. 
The  winds— breathe  low,  the  withering  leaf 

Scarce  whispers — from  the  tree  ; 
So  gently — flows  the  parting  breath, 

When  good  men — cease  to  be. 
How  beautiful — on  all  the  hills, 

The  crimson  light  is  shed  ! 
'Tis  like  the  peace — the  Christian  gives 

To  mourners — round  his  bed. 
How  mildly — on  the  wandering  cloud, 

The  sunset  beam — is  cast ! 
'Tis  like  the  memory — left  behind, 

When  loved  ones — breathe  their  last. 
And  now,  above  the  dews  of  night, 

The  yellow  star — appears ; 
So— faith  springs  in  the  heart  at  those, 

Whose  eyes — are  bathed  in  tears. 
But  soon — the  morning's  happier  light 

Its  glory  shall  restore ; 
And  eyelids,  that  are  sealed  in  death 

Shall  took — to  close  no  more. 

True  religion- 
Is  always  mild,  propitious,  and  humane; 
Plays  not  the  tyrant,  plants  no  faith  in  blood; 
But  stoops  to  succor,  polish,  and  redress, 
And  builds  her  grandeur — on  the  public  good. 


76 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


313.  A  too  frequent  recurrence  of  accent- 
ed vowels,  occasions  a  heavy  utterance,  in 
consequence  of  the  almost  continual  succes- 
sion of  vocal  efforts:  it  is  seen  and  felt  in 
words,  particularly  the  monosyllables,  and  in 
sentences,  or  members  of  sentences,  and  is  the 
cause  of  the  slow  rate  in  the  movement  of  the 
voice.  Exs.  "  And  ten  low  words  oft  creep  in 
one  dull  line.  O'er  hills,  o'er  dales,  o'er  crags, 
o'er  rocks,  they  go.  Up  the  high  hill  he  heaves 
a  huge  round  stone."  Whenever  accent  oc- 
curs frequently,  there  is  always  a  predomi- 
nance of  quantity ;  and  the  delivery,  of  neces- 
sity, is  much  slower.  Now  here  we  have  posi- 
tive evidence  that  monosyllables  have  accent. 
Our  best  authors  use  the  shortest  words, 
which  are  usually  of  Saxon  origin;  hence, 
the  charm,  the  witchery  of  certain  speakers 
and  writers. 

314.  He  des-cants  upon  the  des-cant  of 
the  preacher,  who  Asserts  his  post,  and  goes 
into  the  des-ert,  to  live  on  spicy  desserts. 
I  will  di-gest  the  rfi-gest,  although  I  dis-cord 
every  thing  like  dis-cord ;  I  will  also  dis- 
count  '.Ijc  note  for  a  reasonable  rfe-count,  be- 
cause he  asked  me  down-right,  in  a  down- 
right manner. 

215.  Education  means  the  development, 
perfection,  and  proper  use  of  the  body  and 
mind :  it  relates  to  the  training  and  guardi- 
anship of  youth,  from  infancy  to  mature  age 
— to  the  influencing  of  the  character  and 
prospects,  not  only  of  individuals,  but  of 
nations.  The  highest  powers  and  noblest 
sentiments  of  our  nature  might  remain  for- 
ever dormant,  were  they  not  developed  and 
matured  by  the  instruction  and  example  of 
the  wise  and  good.  In  a  still  wider  sense, 
education  may  mean  the  whole  training  of 
the  thoughts  and  affections  by  inward  reflec- 
tion and  outward  events  and  actions,  by  in- 
tercourse with  men,  "  by  the  spirits  of  the 
just  made  perfect" — by  instruction  from  the 
word,  and  the  training  the  whole  man  for 
life  and  immortality. 

Notes.  1.  It  would  be  extremely  difficult,  considering  the 
partially  developed  and  cultivated  state  of  the  voice,  ear,  and  Ian- 
ptage,  to  give  definite  rules  for  pronouncing  the  unaccented  vow- 
els, in  consequence  of  their  verging  towards  each  other  in  many 
words ;  of  course,  we  must  avoid  too  much  stiffness  on  the  one 
hind,  and  vulgarity  on  the  other  ;  the  time  will  come,  however, 
when  every  thing  with  regard  to  elocution  will  be  as  fixed  and  cer- 
tain as  in  the  science  of  music  ;  which  is  as  perfect  as  the  science 
of  numbers.  2.  Never  forget  that  without  a  good  articulation,  no 
one  can  become  a  correct  reader,  or  speaker ;  and  whatever  other 
defects  one  may  have,  if  he  possess  this  excellence,  he  will  be  lil- 
teaed  to  with  pleasure  and  profit :  there  is  something  very  attrac- 
tive and  winning,  in  a  clear,  distinct  and  correct  enunciation, 
which  delights  and  captivates  the  soul.  Let  no  one  excuse  himself 
from  becoming  perfect  in  this  essential  requisite. 

What — cannot  patience  do  ? 

A  great  design — is  seldom  match 'd  at  once : 

Tis  patience  heaves  it  on. 

From  savage  nature, 

Tis  patience,  that  has  built  up  human  life, 

The  nurse  of  arts;  and  Rome  exalts  her  head. 

An  everlasting  monument  to  patience. 


Proverbs.  1.  Make  provision  for  want  in 
time  of  plenty.  2  Live  and  let  live — is  a  good 
motto.  3.  Of  all  flatterers,  self-love  is  the 
greatest.  4.  Perspicuity  is  inseparable  from  elo- 
quence. 5.  Restraint  from  ill  is  the  best  kind  of 
freedom.  6.  Sin  and  sorrow  are  inseparable 
companions.  7.  Speech  is  the  gift  of  all  ;  thought 
of  but  few.  8.  That  which  opposes  rio-ht,  must 
be  wrong.  9.  Undutiful  children — make  wretch- 
ed parents.  10.  No  one  can  tell  how  much  he  can 
accomplish,  till  he  tries.  11.  The  hand  of  the 
diligent  maketh  rich.    12.  Ill  got — ill  spent. 

Anecdote.  Dangerous  Biting.  Dioge- 
nes, of  old,  being  one  day  asked,  the  biting  of 
what  beasts  is  the  most  dangerous,  replied, — 
"  If  you  mean  wild  beasts,  it  is  that  of  the 
slanderer ;  if  tame  ones,  of  the  flatterer." 

True  Empire.  It  is  pleasant  to  be  virtu- 
ous and  good  ,■  because,  that  is  to  excel  many 
others ; — it  is  pleasant  to  grow  better;  be- 
cause that  is  to  excel  ourselves  ;  it  is  pleas- 
ant to  mortify  and  subdue  our  lusts,  because 
that  is  victory  ; — it  is  pleasant  to  command 
our  appetites  and  passions,  and  to  keep  them 
in  due  order,  witliin  the  bounds  of  reason  and 
religion, — because — that  is  empire. 

Varieties.  1.  Are  Rail-Roads  and  Ca- 
nals, a  benefit,  to  the  country  1  2.  He,  who 
is  slowest  in  making  a  promise,  is  generally 
the  most  faithful  in  performing  it.  3.  When 
a  teacher  is  to  be  hired,  there  is  generally  a 
terrible  pressure  in  the  money  market.  4. 
Un-educated  mind  is  ed-ucated  vice.  5. 
They,  who  love  flattery,  are  in  a  fair  way  to 
repent  of  their  vieakness ;  yet  how  few  are 
proof  against  its  attacks.  6.  If  others  attrib- 
ute more  to  us  than  is  our  due,  they  are 
either  designing  or  mistaken,-  and,  if  they 
allow  us  less,  they  are  envious  or  ignorant ; 
and,  in  both  cases  should  be  disregarded. 
7.  The  Lord  is  ever  present  in  the  human 
soul,  and  we  are  tried  every  moment  in  all 
we  will,  think,  do,  hear,  or  say. 

CURRAN'S  DAUGHTER— EMMET'S  BETROTHED. 
She  is/or  from  the  land — where  her  young  hero  sleeps, 

And  lovers— around  her  are  sighing  ; 
But  coldly  she  turns  from  their  gaze,  and  weeps, 

For  her  heart — in  his  grave — is  lying. 
She  sings  the  wild  songs — of  her  dear  native  plains, 

Every  note,  which  he  lov'd — awaht7ig, — 
Ab!  little  they  think,  who  delight  in  her  strains, 

How  the  heart  of  the  minstrel — is  breaking. 
He  had  liv'd — for  his  love— for  his  country — he  died ; 

They  were  all — that  to  life  had  inlwin-d  him — 
Nor  soon — shall  the  tears  of  bis  country  be  dried, 

Nor  long — will  his  love  stay  beliind  him 
Oh  !  make  her  a  grave — where  the  sunbeams  rest, 

When  they  promise  a  glorious  morrow. 
They'll  shine  o'er  her  sleep — like  a  smile  from  the  west. 
From  her  own  lov'd  island  of  sorrow. 
Oft  I  hear, 
Upon  the  silence  of  the  midnight  air, 
Celestial  voices — swell  in  holy  chorus; 
That  bears  the  soul — to  heaven. 

Impartial — as  the  grave, 
Sleep, — robs  the  cruel  tyrant — of  his  power, 
Gives  rest  and  freedom  to  the  o'er  wrought  slave, 
And  steals  the  wretched  beggar— from  his  want. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


77 


216.  A  too  un-frequent  occurrence  of  ac- 
cent, produces  indistinctness}  because  of  the 
rapidity  with  which  the  unaccented  sounds 
must  be  pronounced  ;  depending,  as  they  do, 
on  the  radical  or  accented  vowels:  in  pro- 
nouncing such  words,  be  particular  to  con- 
centrate the  voice,  strongly,  on  the  accented 
vowels;  and  that  will  give  you  sufficient  im- 
pelling power,  to  carry  you  easily  through 
the  word.  Ex.  His  dis-i«-ter-est-ed-ness  and 
in-tel-li-g i-i* i /-t-ty  are  afr-so-lute-ly  in-ftc-pli- 
ca-ble ;  I  un-Aes-i-ta-ting-ly  say,  that  the  un- 
7-ea-son-a-ble-ness  of  that  tri-pe/--son-al-ist's 
scheme  is  an  ir-/-f/-ra-ga-ble  proof  of  lat-i-tu- 
di-««-ri-an-ism ;  he  spoke  com-///  u-ni-ca-tive- 
ly  of  his  hWis-so-lu-ble  sfoi'-en-li-ness,  which 
he,  hi-e-ro-g^/p/t-i-cal-ly  and  per-e/z/ja-to-ri-ly 
declared,  was  neither  an-ti-pes-ti-/en-tial,  eon- 
gra/-u-la-to-ry,  nor  in-con-tro-uer-ti-ble. 

317.  Pay  particular  attention,  not  only  to 
the  errors  of  foreigners,  in  pronunciation,  but 
also  to  those  of  our  own  countrymen:  let 
nothing  of  importance  escape  your  critical 
observation:  in  this  way,  your  voice,  taste, 
and  ear,  will  be  cultivated,  and  you  will  be 
saved  from  such  defects  as  would,  if  indulged 
in,  impede  your  progress  in  these  arts,  and 
prevent  you  from  being  extensively  useful  in 
your  day  and  generation. 

318.  He  in-loys  the  table  with  silver  in- 
lays. Instinct  is  the  power  derived  from 
above,  that  determines  the  will  of  the  brute 
creation,  while  all  nature  is  instinct  with  life 
from  the  same  source.  The  tn-sult  returned 
insults  the  man,  as  it  intev-dicfs  the  inter- 
change which  invalids  inter-chcmg'd  for  an 
in-val-id  m-terdict.  His  mi-nute  mis-co/i-duct 
every  win-ute  that  he  miscon-ducts,mi-nute- 
ly  affects  the  lady  m in -ute\y. 

319.  Laughing  Scientifically.  The  fol- 
lowing suggestions  are  given  for  the  forma- 
tion of  laughing  glee  clubs;  in  the  hope  that 
this  remarkably  healthful  and  anti-melan- 
choly exercise,  may  aid  in  accomplishing  its 
very  beneficial  effects  in  old  and  young,  male 
and  female.  Let  a  number  of  persons,  say 
six,  or  eight,  form  a  circle,  sitting,  or  stand- 
ing, erectly,  with  the  shoulders  thrown  back, 
and  the  leader  commence,  by  giving  one 
laugh,  in  the  use  of  the  syllable  huh :  then,  let 
the  one  at  his  right  hand  repeat  it,  which  is 
to  be  reiterated  by  each  one  till  it  comes 
round;  then,  without  any  loss  of  time,  let  the 
leader  repeat  the  word,  adding  another,  (huh, 
huh,)  which  is  to  be  taken  up  as  before  by 
the  club;  and,  as  it  comes  to, him  the  third 
time,  let  him  add  another,  (huh,  huh,  huh,) 
and  so  on,  till  there  follows  a  complete  round 
of  shouts,  and  roars  of  laughter. 

Again — I  feel  my  bosom  bound, 
My  heart  sits  lightly  on  its  seat; 
My  cares — are  all  in  rapture  drown'd, 
In  every  pulse — new  pleasures  beat , 


Proverbs.  1.  Want  of  punctuality  is  a  spe- 
cies of falsehood.  2.  Youth — is  the  best  season  for 
improvement.  3.  No  confidence  can  be  placed  in 
those,  who  are  in  the  habit  of  telling  lies.  4.  Good, 
and  bad  habits,  formed  during  youth,  generally  go 
with  us  during  life.  5.  Our  best  friends  are  those, 
who  tell  us  owe  faults,  and  teach  us  to  correct  them. 
6.  A  kind  word,  or  even  a  kind  look,  often  affords 
great  comfort  to  the  afflicted.  7.  'Tis  not  those 
who  read  the  most,  that  know  the  most ;  but,  those 
who  refect  and  practice  the  most.  8.  The  sun — is 
never  the  ivorse  for  shining  on  a  dunghill.  9.  True 
valor — is  fire;  bullying — is  smoke.  10.  Wealth  is 
not  his,  who  gets  it;  but  his  who  enjoys  it.  11.  Dy- 
ing— is  as  natural  as  living.  12.  AH  covet — all  lose. 

Anecdote.  Sea-Lawyers.  A  member  of 
the  bar,  on  his  passage  to  Europe  in  a 
steam  vessel,  observed  a  shark  near  them; 
and  not  knowing  what  it  was,  asked  one  of 
the  sailors ;  who  replied,  with  much  gravity, 
"  Here,  we  call  'em  sea-laivyers." 

ICriown  by  our  Fruits.     A   man — is 

known  by  his  words — as  a  tree — by  its  fruit; 
and  if  we  would  be  apprised  of  the  nature 
and  qualities  of  any  one,  let  him  but  dis- 
course, and  he  will  speak  them  to  us,  better 
than  another  can  describe  them.  We  may 
therefore  perceive  how  pfroper  it  is — for  those 
to  hold  their  tongues,  who  would  not  discover 
the  shallowness  of  their  understandings. 
Empty  vessels — make  the  greatest  sound,  and 
the  deepest  rivers — are  most  silent.  It  is  a 
true  observalvm,  that  iftose  who  are  weakest 
in  understanding,  and  slowest  of  apprehen 
sion,  are,  generally,  the  most  precipitate — ii. 
uttering  their  crude  conceptions. 

Varieties.     1.  Why  is  an  egg — wn-done, 
like  an   egg  over-done!     Because,  both  are 
hardly  done.    2.  A  prying  disposition — into 
what  does  not  concern  one,  and  a  tatling 
tongue — are  two  very  common  evils.    3.  The 
bones  of  birds  are  hollow,  and  filled  with  air, 
instead  of  marrow ;  hence  their  power  of 
making  sound.  4.  Unprofitable  speech — is  like 
the  cypress,  which  is  great  and  tall,  yet  bears 
no  fruit.    5.  Nature,  in  too  many  instances, 
is  pushed  from  her  throne;  the  world  having 
lost  its  relish  for  her  truth  and  purity.    6. 
Swift — dedicated  one  volume  of  his  works  to 
"Prince  Posterity;"  and  there  is  manliness  in 
the  act.    7.  Every  advancement  in  good,  is  a 
delivery  from  evil  influences;  and  every  fall 
in  evil,  is  a  victory,  obtained  by  them  over 
the  soul. 
If  we  are  wise — and  judge  aright,  there's  scarce 
An  ill  of  life  (however  keen  or  hard 
To  bear),  but  good  may  be  extracted  thence ! 
'Tis  so  by  Providence  ordained,  to  tlwse 
Who  seek  for  light — amid  the  shade  of  gloom. 
It  is,  indeed,  a  sombre  sky,  where  not 
One  cheerful  speck  appears.     Wliy  gaze  alone 
On  that,  which  doth  appal  the  soul,  and  pass 
The  cheering  ray,  which,  constant  gazing  on, 
Might  so  expand,  to  chase  the  sombre  cloud? 


78 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


220.  There  are  words,  as  we  have  seen, 
that  are  spelt  alike,  but  pronounced  different- 
ly} by  changing  the  seat  of  accent :  because 
the  meaning  is  different:  and  there  are  words, 
spelt  nearly  alike,  and  pronounced  by  some 
alike,  though  incorrectly ;  and  the  conse- 
quence often  is,  a  complete  perversion  of  the 
se?ise.  A  minister  took  for  his  text,  the  fol- 
lowing very  comprehensive  words;  "  He  that 
feareth  God,  and  worketh  righteousness,  is 
accepted  of  him."  But  instead  of  reading  it 
as  contained  in  the  Bible,  he  perverted  it,  by 
saying :  "  He  that  feareth  God,  and  worketh 
righteousness,  is  er-cepted  of  him:"  that  is 
left  out ;  excluded. 

22 1 .  Practice  on  the  following,  and  simi- 
lar words,  and  distinguish  the  vowel  sounds 
by  their  appropriate  pronunciation.  The  ab- 
o-//-tion  move-ment  is  ac-cept-ed  by  some, 
and  ex-cept-ed  by  others.  2.  Being  con-fi- 
dent  of  his  con-H-dant,  the  jwr-son-age  work- 
ed the  ,/i-na-ry,  by  the  par-son-age  of  his 
jfi-na-iy.  3.  The  rad-ish  pen-dead,  looking 
rsd-ish,  was  ^e?i-dent  in  the  nose  of  the 
bar-oil  whose  lands  were  bar-ren.  4.  His 
gaZ-a-ry  was  cel-e-ry,  because  he  lived  under 
the  cap-i-tol  in  the  cap-\-ta\  of  the  state,  op- 
posite the  office  that  was  ap-po-site  to  his 
purpose. 

222.  Telling  Stories.  Who  has  not  ob- 
served the  intense  interest,  manifested  by 
children,  in  hearing  one  another  tell  stories  ? 
They  will  sit  up  till  midnight,  without  being 
sleepy;  and  are  generally  driven  to  their 
homes,  or  their  bed.  How  readily  they  re- 
member, and  relate  interesting  stories  to  their 
companions,  days,  weeks,  and  months,  and 
even  years,  after  first  hearing  them :  the  rea- 
son is,  they  not  only  see  and  understand  these 
tales,  but  feel  them  intensely;  and  hence, 
they  easily  get  them  by  heart,  as  it  is  called. 
Why  have  not  teachers  long  since  taken  a 
hint  of  the  mode,  in  which  to  communicate 
all  the  varieties  of  scientific,  and  useful  knowl- 
edge to  their  pupils  ?  Let  them  take  turns  in 
telling  stories  after  their  teachers ;  and  if  their 
exercises  are  judiciously  managed,  as  they 
may  be,  they  will  be  found  exceedingly  amus- 
ing,  and  promotive  of  a  very  rapid  devel- 
opment of  mind. 

Anecdote.  Double  Meaning.    An  illiter- 
ate personage,  who  always  volunteered — to 
go  round  with  his  hat,  was  suspected  of  spa- 
ring his  own  pocket.    Overhearing,  one  day 
*  a  remark  to  that  effect,  he  made  the  follow- 
ing   reply :    "  Other  gentlemen  puts    down 
what  they  think  proper,  and  so  do  I.    Chari- 
ty's a  private  concern,  and  what  I  give  is 
nothing  to  nobody." 
Dost  thou  know  the  fate  of  soldiers? 
They're  but  ambition's  tools — to  cut  a  way 
To  her  unlawful  ends;  ami  when  they're  loom, 
Hacked,  hewn — with  constant  service,  thrown  aside, 
To  rust — in  peace,  or  rot — in  hospitals. 


Proverbs.  1 .  Be  punctual — in  all  your  ap- 
pointments, and  honest — in  all  your  dealings.  2. 
Always  live  so  that  the  world  may  be  the  better,  for 
your  living  in  it.  3.  Never  make  sport  of  an  in- 
sane, or  intoxicated  person.    4.  Let    the  law  of 

I  kindness — be  ever  on  your  tongue.  5.  In  conver- 
sation, seek  out  acceptable  words.  6.  Never  re- 
quire favors,  but  ask  for   them.     7.    Avoid   doing 

|  things,  that  are  calculated  to  excite  attention.     8. 

!  Learn  to  practice  self-denial,  when  it  will  promote 
the  happiness  of  others.    9.  Kindly  and  faithfully 

;  remind  your  friends  and  companions,  of  their 
faults.  10.  Be  accurate  hi  every  thing.  11.  No 
rose  without  a  thorn.    12.  Pride — will  have  a.  fall. 

Discovery  of  Glass.  Pliny  informs  us, 
that  the  art  of  making  glass — was  acciden- 
tally discovered  by  some  merchants,  who 
were  traveling  with  nitre,  and  stopped  near  a 
river,  issuing  from  Mount  Carmel.  Not  find 
ing  anything  to  rest  their  kettles  on,  thej 
used  some  pieces  of  nitre  for  that  purpose 
The  nitre  gradually  dissolving  by  the  heat, 
mixed  with  the  sand,  and  a  transparent  mat- 
ter flowed,  which  was  in  fact  glass.  It  is  cer- 
tain that  we  are  often  more  indebted  to  appa- 
rent chance,  than  genius — for  many  of  the 
most  valuable  discoveries:  therefore  every 
one  should  keep  his  eyes  and  ears  open, — his 
thoughts  and  feelings  awake  and  active. 

Varieties.  1.  Why  should  any  one  think 
it  a  disgrace — to  work  for  his  living]  2.  In- 
vestigate every  subject,  with  which  you  be- 
come acquainted,  until  you  understand  it 
thoroughly.  3.  "I'll  try,"  is  a  plant,  that 
would  flourish  in  the  frigid  zone ;  "  I  can't," 
would  be  barren  any  where.  4.  Never  con- 
demn another,  for  not  knowing  what  you 
have  just  learned ;  or  perhaps  do  not  clearly 
understand.  5.  No  tortgue  can  tell,  or  intel- 
lect perceive,  the  full  import  of  the  word 
I  home.  6.  The  true  christian  religion — is  a 
divine  wardrobe,  containing  garments  for  all 
kinds  and  orders  of  wearers.  7.  As  the  soul 
advances  in  true  resignation  of  its  own  will, 
to  the  will  of  God,  every  principle  and  facul- 
ty of  mind — becomes  sanctified,  even  down 
into  the  life  of  the  senses. 

Weep  not,  that  Time 
Is  passing  on, — it  will — ere  long,  reveal 
A  brighter  era  to  the  nations.     Hark! 
Along  the  vales — and  mountains  of  the  earth 
There  is  a  dap.  portentous  murmuring. 
Like  the  swift  rush — of  subterranean  streams  ; 
Or  like  the  mingled  sounds  of  earth  and  air, 
When  the  fierce  Ttmprst.  with  sonorous  wing, 
Heaves  his  deep  folds  upon  the  rushing  winds, 
And  hurries  onward — with  bis  night  of  clouds 
Against  the  eternal  mountains.    'Tis  the  voice 
Of  infant  Freedom. — and  her  stirring  call 
Is  heard — and  amweved — in  a  thousand  tones, 
From  every  hill-lop  of  her  Western  home, — 
And  lo,  it  breaks  across  old  Ocean's  flood. — [shout 
And  "  Freedom!    Freedom!"    is  the  answering 
Of  nations,  starting  from  the  spell  of  years. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


79 


223.  When  accented  and  unaccented  syl- 
lables are  agreeably  interspersed  through  the 
words,  neither  a  heavy  utterance,  nor  in  lis- 
iinctness  occurs.  Ex.  "Not  so,  when  swift 
Camilla  scours  the  plain,  Flics  o'er  the  tin- 
bending  corn,  and  skims  along  the  main." 
Now,  compare  the  movement  of  the  voice  in 
this,  with  the  following,  and  see  and  feel  the 
difference :  "  And  ten  low  words  oft  creep  in 
one  dull  line."'  The  former  is  like  a  nag,  that 
gallops  off  in  fine  style ;  the  latter,  one  that 
creeps,  like  a  snail.  The  reason  is,  as  you 
perceive,  in  one  case,  there  is  life  and  light ; 
in  the  other,  nothing  but  words. 

224.  Neither  teachers  nor  parents,  can  be 
too  wisely  careful  of  the  influence,  exerted 
upon  their  pupils  and  children:  for  principles 
apply  to  both  matter  and  sjnrit.  "  Just  as 
the  twig  is  bent,  the  tree's  inclined."  Again, 
since  thoughts  are  imperishable  existences, 
we  should  be  careful  in  entertaining  and 
cherishing  any  other,  than  such  as  we  are 
willing  to  have  for  our  companions  on  earth, 
and  during  our  eternal  state  of  being  in  the 
future  world.  Here,  then,  is  something  for 
all  of  us  to  attend  to ;  and  unspeakable  con- 
sequences are  depending  on  the  performance 
of  duty.  Are  we  of  the  number  of  those,  who 
turn  buck  in  the  day  of  battle?  or,  of  those 
who  gird  on  their  armor,  to  do,  or  die  ? 

235.  Position  in  Bed.  There  is  no  doubt, 
that  the  habit  of  forming  round  or  hump'd 
shoulders,  (whicfi  is  rarely,  if  ever,  natural,) 
is  contracted  in  infancy,  and  childhood.  The 
incautious  mother,  not  understanding  the 
principles  of  physiology,  lays  the  infant  on  a 
pillow  of  feathers,  instead  of  on  a  good  mat- 
tress, or  straw  bed,  without  pillows;  thus, 
elevating  the  head  far  too  much  above  the  le- 
vel of  the  body ;  and  this  practice  is  continued 
in  after-life,  very  much  to  the  detriment  of 
health,  and  beauty  of  form.  If  necessary, 
raise  the  head-posts  of  the  bedstead  a  few 
inches,  instead  of  using  pillows. 

Notes.  1.  Observe,  that  when  the  accent  is  at,  or  near,  the 
beginning  of  the  word,  it  materially  aids  the  expulsive  stTess  of 
▼oice,  carrying  U9  more  easily  through  the  word,  than  when  it  is 
placed  near  the  last  end  :  the  geDius  of  our  language  is  in  favor  of 
the  former  ,*  hence,  the  tendency  is  to  place  the  accent  at  the  be- 
ginning; which  makes  language  more  powerful  and  effective.  2. 
Id  runnmg,  the  impetus  of  preceding  efforts  carries  us  on  after 
tiose  efforts  have  ceased. 

Anecdote.  A  Tough  Animal.  "The  con- 
stitution of  our  females  must  be  excellent," 
says  a  celebrated  physician;  "for,  take  an 
ox,  or  a  horse,  and  enclose  his  sides  with  cor- 
sets,—  and  he  would  labor  indeed, — but  it 
would  be  for  breath." 

Nothing— vs  lasting — on  the  world's  wide  stage, 

As  sung ,  and  wisely  sung,  the  Grecian  sage ; 

And  man,  who,  through  the  globe — extends  his  sway, 

Reigns — but  the  sovereign  creature — of  a  day; 

One  generation  comes,  another — goes, 

Time— blends  the  ttappy — with  the  man  of  woes; 

A  different  face  of  things — each  age  appears, 

And  all  things — alter— in  a  course  of  years. 


Proverbs.  1.  He  who  marries  for  wealth,  sells 
his  liberty.  2.  A  friend,  which  you  buy  wilh  pre- 
sents, may  be  bought  from  you.  3.  Ladies — will 
sooner  pardon  want  of  sense,  than  want  of  good 
manners.  4.  The  remedy  Cot  love  is — land  between. 
5.  You  may  know  a  foolish  woman — by  her  fin- 
ery. 6.  Temperance,  employment,  and  a  cheerful 
spirit — are  great  preservers  and  restorers  of  health. 
7.  Many  a  one  digs  Ins  grave  with  his  teeth.  8. 
Tin'  tjiiritre — puts  his  purse  in  his  stomach;  and 
the  miser — his  stomach  in  his  purse.  9.  Change  of 
weather  is  the  discourse  of  fools.  10.  We  hate  de- 
lay; but  it  often  makes  us  wiser.  11.  Talking — 
does  no  work.    12.  Past  labor  is  pleasant. 

Laconics.  Never  mystify  science;  but, 
if  jmssible,  always  elucidate  it.  Knowledge 
— is  too  important — to  be  made  the  subject 
of  a  silly  joke. 

Varieties.  1.  If  content  does  not  remove 
the  disquietudes  of  life,  it  will  at  least  alleviate 
them.  2.  Can  matter  ever  be  annihilated? 
3.  Every  sentence  we  read  under  standingly, 
is  like  a  cast  of  the  weaver's  shuttle,  adding 
another  thread  to  the  web  of  life.  4.  They, 
who  are  governed  by  reason,  need  no  other 
motive  than  the  goodness  of  an  act,  to  excite 
them  to  practice  it.  5.  A  reading  people  will 
become  a  thinking  people ;  and  then,  they 
are  capable  of  becoming  a  great  people.  6. 
A  diligent  pen  supplies  many  thoughts.  7. 
Nothing  but  divine  love,  and  divine  wisdom, 
can  proceed  from  God,  the  centre  of  all  beings. 

DEATH   OF   A   HEART-FRIEND. 

If  I  had  thought — thou  couldst  have  died, 

I  might  not  weep  for  thee  ; 
But  I  forgot,  when  by  thy  side, 

That  thou  couldst  mortal  be. 
It  never  through  my  mind  had  passed, 

The  time  would  e'er  be  o'er, 
And  I  on  thee — should  look  my  last, 

And  thou  shouldst  smile — no  more! 
And  still — upon  that/ace  I  look, 

And  think — 'twill  smile  again; 
And  still  the  thought — I  will  not  brook, 

That  I  must  look  in  vain! 
But  when  I  speak, — thou  dost  not  say, 

What  thou  ne'er  left'st  unsaid; 
And  now  I  feel,  as  well  I  may, 

Sweet  Mary !  thou  art  dead  ! 
If  thou  wouldst  stay,  e'en  as  thou  art. 

All  cold — and  all  serene, — 
I  still  might  press  thy  silent  heart, 

And  where  thy  smiles  have  been ! 
While  e'en  thy  chill,  bleak  corse  I  have, 

Thou  seemest  still  my  own ; 
But  there  I  lay  thee — in  thy  grave, — 

And  I  am  now — alone! 
I  do  not  think,  where'er  thou  art, 

Thou  hast  forgotten  me  ; 
And  7.  perhaps,  may  soothe  this  heart 

In  thinking,  too,  of  thee. 
Yet  there  was  round  thee — such  a  dawn 

Of  light,  ne'.er  seen  before, 
As  fancy — never  could  have  drawn. 

And  never — can  restore! 


80 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


226.  Revisions.  The  great  practical  im- 
portance of  this  subject,  demands  a  passing 
remark.  In  revising,  we  not  only  gather  up 
thefragments,  but  refresh  our  minds  with  a 
reproduction  of  what  we  previously  had 
learned.  By  reviewing  our  studies,  we  often 
find  the  materials,  with  which  we  can  over- 
come difficulties,  that  seem  almost  insur- 
mountable ;  hence,  revisions  frequently  serve 
as  a  key,  to  unlock  the  casket,  that  contains 
invaluable  treasures.  And  we  must  guard 
against  thinking  of  the  principles,  as  being 
contained  in  the  book;  unless  they  are  un- 
derstood and  felt  in  the  inind,  and  by  the 
mind,  and  through  the  body  are  reduced  to 
practice,  they  are,  so  far  as  we  are  concerned, 
valueless  and  dead.  Seeing  food,  or  think- 
ing of  it,  will  impart  no  nourishment  to  the 
body ;  it  must  be  eaten,  digested,  and  appro- 
priated. 

227.  Now  repeat  all  the  sounds  of  the  let- 
ters, in  their  alphabetical  order,  as  found  on 
page  63 ;  omitting  those  that  are  duplicates ; 
then  give  the  vowels  and  consonants,  by  them- 
selves: afterwards,  give  the  short  vowels, 
and  the  long  ones  by  themselves,  and  read 
several  paragraphs  by  vowel  sounds;  after 
which,  give  the  vocal  consonants,  and  aspi- 
rates, by  themselves:  then  the  single,  dou- 
ble, and  triple  ones,  and  analyze  words, 
spelling  them  by  their  sounds;  also,  raise 
and  fall  the  eight  vowels,  according  to  the  di- 
atonic scale,  in  article  64;  then  revise  the 
two  modes  of  making  accent;  practice  on 
the  changes  of  its  seat,  and  realize  the  impor- 
.  tant  use  of  every  exercise. 

22§.  The  pre-cwz-tract  r>re-con-tracts  the 
pre-dx  which  is  pre-flxed  to  the  prel-ude, 
with  which  the  speaker  pre-ludes  the  pres- 
ent pres-age,  that  he  pre-sag'd  the  man  would 
present.  The  protf-uce  of  the  land  was  such 
as  to  pro-duce  a  ;»-o-ject  to  pro-test  against 
the  man  who  pro-jects  the  infamous  prot-est 
against  the  reb-el  that  re-hels  against  the 
law.  I  re-fuse  to  re-cord  either  the  ref-use  or 
the  rec-ord,  or  re-tail  them  by  wholesale  or 
re-tail. 

239.  A  Dandy  of  some  use.  Let  the  pu- 
pil impress  on  his  mind  the  absolute  necessi- 
ty, for  awhile,  of  keeping  his  shoulders 
thrown  back,  so  as  to  make  the  breast  as 
round  and  prominent 'as  possible:  and  then, 
after  a  few  days,  or  weeks  at  farthest,  he  will 
feel  very  uncomfortable  to  sit,  stand,  or  labor, 
in  a  bent  position.  But,  says  one,  "  I  should 
look  so  much  like  a  dandy."  Never  mind 
that,  provided  it  be  right;  and  if  you  can 
make  this  much  use  of  so  superfluous  an  ar- 
ticle, it  may  serve  to  show  you,  that  nothing 
exists  in  vain :  think  of  the  wisdom  and  in- 
dustry of  the  bee. 

This  smooth  discourse, — and  mild  behavior,  oft 
Conceals— a  traitor. 


Proverbs.  1.  Never  repulse  an  associate  with 
unkindness.  2.  Love  one  another  with  a  pure 
heart  fervently.  3.  The  morality  of  the  christian 
religion,  is  not  national,  but  universal.  4.  Pru- 
dtnce  says — take  time  by  the  foretop.  5.  A  bird  in 
the  hand,  is  worth  two  in  the  bush.  6.  The  dili- 
gent soul,  shall  be  made  rich.  7.  Knou-ledge — is 
power;  ignorance — is  weakness.  8.  An  egg  to 
day,  is  better  than  a  hen  to-morrow.  9.  Worldly 
reputation  and  sensual  pleasure,  are  destructive  to 
virtue.  10.  The  history  and  wisdom  of  the  world, 
can  only  be  known  by  reading.  11.  We  are  to  be 
saved  from  our  sins,  not  in  our  sins.  12.  What- 
ever is  worth  reading  at  all,  is  worth  reading  well. 
Anecdote.  Afraid  of  Work.  A  person 
once  said  to  a  father,  whose  son  was  noted 
for  his  laziness,  that  he  thought  his  son  was 
very  much  afraid  of  work.  "Afraid  of 
work  ?"  replied  the  father,  "  not  at  all, — he 
will  lie  down,  and  go  to  sleep  close  by  the 
side  of  it.'' 

Right  Views.  The  more  we  ascribe  all 
goodness  and  truth — to  the  Lord,  the  more 
— will  the  interiors  of  the  mind,  be  open  to- 
wards heaven,  the  only  source  of  hapjAness: 
for  by  thus  doing,  we  acknowledge  that  noth- 
ing good  and  true  is  from  ourselves  ;  and,  in 
proportion  as  this  is  heartily  confessed,  the 
love  of  self — departs,  and  with  it — the  thick 
darkness,  which  arises  from  that  which  is 
false  and  evil :  thus  it  is  evident,  how  one — 
becomes  wiser  than  another.  As  the  exhala- 
tions from  the  earth — rise  and  form  clouds, 
more  or  less  dense,  thus  obscuring  the  atmos- 
phere, and  preventing  the  clear  light  of  the 
sun  ;  so,  do  the  exhalations  of  self-love — arise 
and  obscure  the  light  of  Divine  truth, — of 
that  Sun,  which  rules  the  world  of  mind. 

Varieties.  1.  Does  pain  or  pleasure — 
predominate  in  human  life  !  2.  Weddedlife, 
says  a  happy  husband,  is  a  perpetual  foun- 
tain of  domestic  sioeets.  3.  Drinking  water 
— neither  makes  a  man  sick,  nor  runs  him  in 
debt,  nor  makes  his  wife  a  widow :  can  as 
much  be  said  of  ardent  spints?  4.  He,  who 
peeps  through  a  keyhole,  may  see  something 
to  vex  him.  5.  That  gentleness,  which  is 
characteristic  of  a  good  man,  like  every  other 
virtue,  has  its  seat  in  the  heart :  and  nothing 
but  what  flows  from  the  heart — can  render 
even  external  manners,  truly  pleasing.  6. 
The  Lord  came  to  seek  and  save  those  who 
are  lost :  and  he  saves  all  who  are  ivilling  to 
be  saved.  7.  Love  -  principles  and  genuine 
truth,  respect  each  other  according  to  degrees 
of  affinity :  and  the  greater  the  affinity,  the 
greater  is  the  attraction  between  them. 
Morning — hath  her  songs  of  gladness, 

Sultry  noon — its  ferved  glare, 
Evening  hours,  their  gentle  sadness, 

Night — its  dreams,  atid  rest  from  care; 
But  the  pensive  twilight — ever 

Gives  its  own  sweet  fancies  birth, 
Waking  visions,  that  may  never 
Know  reality — on  earth. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


81 


230.  Orthography — relates  to  the  right 
placing  of  the  letters  in  words,  and  Orthoepy 
— to  the  right  pronouncing  of  words,  accord- 
ing to  the  sounds  of  the  letters, — the  former 
— respects  written  language,  and  is  addressed 
to  the  eye ;  and  the  latter,  spoken  language, 
and  is  addressed  to  the  ear ;  the  first  supposes 
the  second.  We  may  infer  the  perfection, 
which  the  ancient  Greeks  attained,  in  or-tho- 
e-py,  from  this  fact,  that  when  a  public  spea- 
ker— even  pronounced  a  word  incorrectly,  the 
whole  audience  simultaneously  hissed  him. 
Whence  did  they  acquire  such  accuracy  of 
earl  Doubtless,  in  spelling  by  the  sounds 
of  their  letters,  instead  of  by  their  names. 
When  we  adopt  this  method,  which  nature 
and  science  dictate,  we  shall  attain  like  excel- 
lency in  pronunciation,  and  our  language 
will  then  be  found  to  contain  more  power  and 
sweetness  than  any  other  in  the  world. 

231.  Pronunciation — is  orthoepy,  or  the 
right  utterance  of  words ;  i.  e.  pronouncing 
words  according  to  euphony,  analogy  and 
custom,  which  constitute  the  standard.  The 
principal  rule  is,  pronounce  in  the  easiest  and 
most  effectual  manner :  and,  when  words  are 
introduced  from  other  languages,  they  should 
be  pronounced  according  to  the  principles  of 
our  language ;  that  is,  they  must  conform  to 
the  genius  of  the  English  language,  as  for- 
eigners do  to  that  of  our  constitution,  when 
they  become  naturalized, — abjuring/omg-ra, 
uncongenial  influences  and  principles,  and 
submitting  to  ours. 

232.  Our  Orthography  and  Orthoepy. 
Many  foreigners  and  natives  find  it  difficult 
to  speak  our  language,  in  consequence  of  the 
great  difference  between  its  spelling  and  its 
pronunciation ,  and  the  various  sounds  given 
to  the  same  letters  in  similar,  and  in  different 
combinations ;  and,  although,  for  the  last  two 
centuries,  our  orthography  has  remained 
nearly  stationary,  yet  our  orthcopy  has  been 
very  much  changed ;  which  may  be  seen  in 
comparing  the  Bible,  translated  under  James 
I.,  with  the  common  edition.  Different  per- 
sons have  proposed  different  means,  for  over- 
coming these  difficulties,  and  nearly  all 
without  much  success ;  which  is  the  less  to 
be  regretted,  when  we  consider  how  little  the 
voice  and  ear  have  been  developed  and  culti- 
vated, and  thereby  prepared  to  meet  the  exi- 
gencies of  the  case.  It  is  now  seen,  on  a 
faithful  analysis  and  synthesis  of  their  labors 
to  revolutionize  our  language  in  these  re- 
spects, that  each  reformer's  system  is  found 
to  be  very  imperfect ;  but  the  good  work  is 
going  on  slowly ;  and,  in  process  of  time, 
it  will  be  accomplished;  very  much  to  the 
disappointment  of  6oofc-wonns,  and  to  the 
gratification  of  that  spirit  of  the  age,  which 
looks  more  to  the  uses  of  tilings,  than  to  their 
looks. 

11 


Proverbs.  1.  Reprove  mildly,  and  correct 
with  caution.  2.  Let  us  creep  before  we  walk,  and 
walk  before  -we  fly.  3.  One  book,  well  read,  is 
worth  twenty  skimnwl  over.  4.  The  greatest 
wealth — is  contentment  with  a  little.  5.  A  letter — 
is  half  a  meeting.  6.  We  may  read  much,  with- 
out understanding  much.  7.  Presence  of  mind, 
is  necessary  at  all  times.  8.  Little  boats  should 
keep  near  shore;  great  ones — may  venture  more. 
9.  I  confide,  and  am  at  rest.  10.  While  there  is 
life,  there  is  hope.  11.  He  attains  whatever  he 
aims  at.  12.  A  good  story,  is  none  the  worse  for 
being  twice  told. 

Anecdote.  Dying  but  Once.  When  Ce- 
sar was  advised,  by  some  of  his  frknds,  to  be 
more  cautious  as  to  the  security  of  his  per- 
son, and  not  to  walk  among  the  people  with- 
out arms,  or  any  one  to  protect  him;  he 
replied, — "  He,  who  lives  in  the  fear  of  death, 
every  moment  feels  its  torture;  I  will  die 
but  once.'1'' 

Laconics.  A  life  of  deceit — is  one  of  un- 
mitigated torture — a  living  hell,  which  should 
deserve  our  pity  for  the  unhappy  beings  who 
submit  to  it. 

Varieties.  1.  Are  not  the  unity  and  trin- 
ity of  God,  the  elemental  and  fundamental 
principles  of  christian  theology  ?  2.  Charac- 
ter, based  on  goodness  and  truth,  is  a  source 
of  eternal  happiness.  3.  We  are  made  what 
we  are,  by  what  is  from  above,  within,  and 
around  us.  4.  God  gives  to  all,  the  power 
Oi  becoming  what  they  ought  to  be.  5.  A 
full  persuasion  of  our  ability  to  do  v:ell,  is  a 
powerful  motive  to  excellence,  and  a  sure 
pledge  of  success.  6.  It  is  our  duty,  and  our 
happiness,  to  feel  for  others,  and  take  an  in- 
terest in  their  welfare.  7.  The  action  of  life, 
is  desire ;  as  is  the  desire  and  delight,  with  its 
consequent  actions,  such  is  the  life. 

THE   GOODNESS   OF   PROVIDENCE. 

The  Lord — my  pasture  shall  prepare, 
And/eed  me — with  a  shepherd's  care ; 
His  presence — shall  my  wants  supply, 
And  guard  me — with  a  watchful  eye; 
My  noon-day  walks — he  shall  attend, 
And  all  my  midnight  hours — defend. 
When,  in  the  sultry  glebe — I  faint, 
Or,  on  the  thirsty  mountains  pant; 
To  fertile  vales j  and  dewy  meads, 
My  weary,  wandering  steps  he  leads, 
Where  peaceful  rivers,  soft  and  slow, 
Amid  the  verdant  landscape  flow. 
Though — in  the  paths  of  death — I  tread, 
With  gloomy  horrors — overspread, 
My  steadfast  heart — shall  fear  no  ill  ; 
For  thou,  O  Lord,  art  with  me  still  : 
Thy  friendly  crook — shall  give  me  aid, 
And  guide  me — through  the  dreadful  shade. 
Though  in  a  bare — and  rugged  way, 
Through  devious — lonely  wilds  I  stray. 
Thy  bounty— shall  my  pains  beguile; 
The  barren  wilderness — shall  smile, 
With  sudden  greens — and  herbage  crowned, 
And  streams — shall  murmur  all  around. 


82 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


333.  Pronunciation — should  be  so  sys- 
tematic, as  to  render  it  capable  of  being  stu- 
died from  its  elementary  principles,  and  be- 
come an  object  of  methodical  acquirement. 
Every  thing  involved  in  producing  sounds, 
in  the  conformation  of  the  organs  in  articu- 
lation, the  application  of  all  that  belongs  to 
accented,  ha Ij '-accented,  and  im-accented 
vowels,  and  every  principle  of  melody  and 
euphony — are  included  in  pronunciation, 
and  tends  to  its  perfection :  but  the  ancients 
included  also  Emphasis,  Intonation,  Inflec- 
tion, Circumflexes  and  the  other  essentials  of 
delivery. 

234.  If  the  great  object  of  pronunciation 
be,  to  produce  the  designed  effect,  in  the  best 
manner,  we  shall  find  it  necessary  to  attend 
not  only  to  the  preceding  principles,  and 
their  application,  but  to  watch  over  useless 
innovations,  and  inclinations  to  senseless 
changes, — desires  to  be  what  is  called  fash- 
ionable— regardless  of  reason,  and  ambitious 
to  shine  as  a  leader  in  some  peculiar  pronun- 
ciation :  then,  our  language  will  bear  a  rigid 
comparison  with  any  other,  either  ancient  or 
modern,  when  ends,  causes  and  effects -are  ta- 
ken into  consideration.  Let  us  not,  then,  de- 
viate from  established  principles,  and  rules, 
without  good  and  satisfactory  reasons. 

235.  Acti/m,  and  Reaction.  Have  you 
ever  particularly  noticed,  the  reciprocal  ac- 
tion between  the  voice  and  the  mind,  the 
tongue  and  the  heart  ?  Well  might  the  apos- 
tle exclaim,  "How  great  a  matter  a  little 
fire  kindleth !"  The  tongue  is  full  of  pow- 
er for  weal,  or  for  wo,  according  to  the  state 
of  the  heart,  that  impels  it  to  action.  What 
is  there,  that  cannot  be  talked  up,  or  talked 
dmun  by  it  ]  It  is  full  of  blessing,  or  curs- 
ing— love  or  hatred;  and  oh!  how  it  can 
sting  the  soul,  when  it  has  been  dipped  in 
the  gall  and  wormwood  of  hell;  and  how  lift 
it  to  heaven,  when  fired  with  celestial  love. 

IVoteS.  Always  infill,  perfectly,  the  accented  vowel,  and 
more  so,  in  proportion  as  the  word  is  important ;  i.  e.  shape  the 
vowel  sound  completely,  by  the  appropriate  organs,  and  give  it  all 
its  necessary  power,  filling  it  full  of  the  influence  of  the  mind,  in 
the  proportion  as  you  wish  your  ideas  to  be  impressive  and  abiding. 
Mind  possesses  a  magnifying  power  over  words,  making  them 
mean  more  than  they  naturally  do  :  which  will  be  perfectly  obvi- 
ous in  the  specific  practice  of  the  principles  which  we  are  gradu- 
ally approaching. 

Anecdote.    "I  suppose,"  (said  an  arrant 

quack,  while  feeling  the  pulse  of  his  patient,) 

"  that  you  think  me  afoot."    "  Sir,"  (replied 

the  sick  man,)  "  I  perceive  you  can  discover 

.  a  man's  thoughts  by  his  pulse." 

If  all  our  hopes  and  all  out  fears, 

Were  prisoned  in  life's  narrow  hound ; 
If,  travelers  through  this  vale  of  tears, 

We  saw  no  better  world  beyond; 
Oh!  what  could  check  the  rising  sigh? 

What  earthly  thing,  could  pleasures  give? 
Oh!  who  would  venture  then,  to  die, 
Or  who  would  venture  then,  to  live  ? 


Proverbs.  1.  The  conduct  of  men  is  an  in- 
dex to  their  hearts  ;  for  by  theirfruits  ye  shall  know 
them.  2.  In  arduous  and  trying  circumstances 
preserve  equanimity ;  and  in  prosperous  hours, 
restrain  the  ebullitions  of  excessive  joy.  3.  Those 
things  that  belong  to  others  generally  please  us  ; 
while  those  that  are  our  own  are  more  valued  by 
others.  4.  Attach  yourself  to  good  company  and 
you  will  be  respected  as  one  of  them.  5.  The 
most  distinguished  men,  of  all  ages,  have  had 
their  imperfections.  6.  Cutting  jests,  when  the  sa- 
tire is  true,  inflicts  a  wound  that  is  not  soon  forgot- 
ten. 7.  Nothing  is  more  disgusting,  than  a  low- 
bred ,/%Boic,  when  he  suddenly  attains  an  elevated 
station.  8.  Either  never  attempt  a  thing,  or  accom- 
plish it.  9.  Fortune — favors  the  bold,  and  aband- 
ons the  timid.  10.  Acts  of  kindness,  shown  to 
good  men,  are  never  thrown  away.  11.  War — is 
death's  jest.    12.  Of  two  evils — choose  the  least. 

Varieties.  1.  If  you  make  a  present, 
give  what  will  be  useful.  2.  Do  not  the 
wings,  that  form  the  butterfly,  lie  folded  in 
the  worm]  3.  Language — should  first  be 
learned  by  imitation.  4.  One  of  the  greatest 
obstacles,  in  the  road  to  excellence,  is  indo- 
lence. 5.  Humility — is  that  low,  sweet  root, 
from  which  all  heavenly  virtues  shoot.  6. 
Acquire  a  thorough  knowledge  of  ah  your 
duties.  7.  God — is  an  infinite  abyss  of  wis- 
dom: which  is  not  comprehensible — either 
by  men  or  angels,  as  to  one  millionth  of  its 
parts :  of  its  infinite  store,  they  are  to  receive 
fresh  supplies  to  all  eternity. 

THE  MOTHER'S  INJUNCTION,  ON  PRESENTING  nER  SOU 
WITH  A  BIBLE. 

Remember  love,  ivho  gave  thee  this. 

When  other  days  shall  come  : 
When  she,  who  had  thy  earliest  kiss, 

Sleeps — in  her  narrow  home, 
Remember,  'twas  a  mother — gave 
The  gift  to  one — she'd  die  to  save. 
That  mother — sought  a  pledge  of  love, 

The  holiest — for  her  son; 
And,  from  the  gifts  of  God  above, 

She  chose  a  goodly  one. 
She  chose,  for  her  beloved  boy, 
The  source  of  light,  and  life,  and  joy, 
And  bade  him  keep  the  gift, — that,  wheu 

The  parting  hour  would  come, 
They  might  have  hope— to  meet  again, 

In  an  eternal  home. 
She  said — his  faith  in  that — would  be 
Sweet  incense — to  her  memory. 
And  should  the  scoffer,  in  his  pride, 

Laugh  that  fond  faith  to  scorn, 
Anil  bid  him  cast  the  pledge  aside, 

That — he  from  youth  had  borne; 
She  bade  him  pause,  and  ask  his  breast, 
If  he,  or  she,  had  loved  him  best? 
A.  parent's  blessing  on  her  son 

Goes  with  this  holy  thing ; 
The  love,  that  would  retain  the  one, 

Must  to  the  other  cling. 
Remember!  'tis  no  idle  toy, 
A  mother's  gift,  Remember,  boy! 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


83 


236.  The  only  way  that  provincialisms, 
foreign  accents  and  brogues,  can  be  removed, 
is  by  individual  attention  to  the  llr.st  princi- 
ples of  our  language,  as  here  exhibited,  and, 
at  the  same  time,  following-  a  teacher  who 
can  give  the  (rue  English  pronunciation ; 
for  sounds  can  only  be  learned  by  imitation ; 


Proverbs.  1.  Neither  great  poverty,  nor 
great  riches  will  hear  reason.  2.  Wine— is  a  turn- 
coat ;  first  a.  friend,  then  an  enemy.  3.  Diet  and 
exercise  are  the  two  physicians  of  nature.  4. 
There  is  many  a  good  house-wik  that  can't  sing, 
or  dance.  5.  Love — can  neither  he  bought,  nor 
sold.    6.  He,  that   is  a  wise  man,  hy  day,  is  no 


and  this  is  the  way  in  which  Elocution  and  f°°l  by  n'=hL    7-  The  s°ciety  of  ladies— is   a 

school  of  politeness.  8.  An  enemy  to  beauty  is 
a.  foe  to  nature.  9.  When  a  man's  coat  is  thread- 
bare, it  is  easy  to  pick  a  hole  in  it.  10.  The  study 
of  vain  things — is  laborious  idleness.  11.  No 
mine  equal  to  saving.  12.  Dependence  is  a  poor 
trade.     13.  All  is  good  that  is  useful. 

Coxtextmext — produces,  in  some  meas- 
ure, all  those  effects,  which  the  alchymist 
usually  ascribes  to  what  he  calls  the  jMloso- 
pher's  stone ;  and  if  it  does  not  bring  riches, 
it  does  the  same  thing,  by  banishing  the  de- 
sire of  them.  If  it  cannot  remove  the  dis- 
quietudes, arising  from  a  man's  mind,  body 
or  fortune,  it  makes  him  easy  under  thern. 
It  has  indeed,  a  kindly  influence  on  the  soul 
of  man,  in  respect  of  every  being  to  whom  he 
stands  related.  It  extinguishes  all  murmur. 
repining,  and  ingratitude,  towards  that  Be- 
ing, who  has  allotted  him  his  part  to  act  in 
this  world.  It  destroys  all  inordinate  ambi- 
tion, and  every  tendency  to  corruption,  with 
regard  to  the  community  wherein  he  is  plac- 
ed. It  gives  sweetness  to  his  conversation, 
and  a  perpetual  serenity — to  all  his  thoughts. 

"Varieties.  Is  it  not  strange,  that  nations 
of  men  could  ever  have  admitted  into  their 
creed,  the  idea  of  a  plurality  of  Gods ,-  when 
the  whole  of  Nature  bears  on  it  so  distinct!}*, 
the  impress  of  o\e  mixd  1  2.  He  is  not  the 
best  reader,  who  speaks  his  words  most  rapid- 
ly ;  but  he  who  does  justice  to  them,  by  pro- 
nouncing them  correctly,  and  effectively.  3. 
If  a  person  delights  in  telling  you  the  faults 
of  others,  be  sure  he  intends  to  tell  others 
your  faults.  4.  Never  be  a  minute  too  late. 
5.  Avoid  loud  talking  and  laughing  in  the 
streets.  6.  The  moral  and  intellectual  man, 
seems  to  mould  and  modify  the  physical 
man.  7.  We  are  filled  with  the  life  of  heaven, 
just  so  far  as  we  are  emptied  of  out  own,  and 
find  in  us  an  utter  inability  to  do  good,  with- 
out divine  assistance. 
A  cloud  lay  cradled— near  the  setting  sun — 

A  gleam  of  crimson — tinged  its  braided  snow; 
Long  had  I  watched  the  glory — moving  on, 

O'er  the  still  radiance — of  the  lake  below. 
Tranquil  its  spirit  seemed — and  floated  slow; 

Ee'n  in  its  very  motion — there  was  rest, 
While  every  breath  of  eve,  that  chanced  to  blow, 

Wafted  the  traveler — to  the  beauteous  west — 
Emblem,  methought,  of  the  departed  soul, 

To  whose  white  robe,  the  gleam  of  bliss  is  given, 
And  by  the  breath  of  mercy — made  to  roll 

Right  onward — to  the  golden  gates  of  heaven; 
Where,  to  the  eye  of  faith,  it  peaceful  lies, 
And  telb  to  man — his  glorious  destinies. 


Mti<dc  must  be  taught.  Our  language  has 
suffered,  and  is  suffering,  greatly,  by  being 
improperly  taught  by  foreigners,  who  can- 
not pronounce  one  half  of  our  words  with 
propriety.  But  a  teacher  maybe  able  to  pro- 
nounce single  words  with  a  good  degree  of 
correctness,  and  yet  be  unable  to  deliver  sen- 
tences, in  a  proper  manner.  A  few  minutes 
every  day,  for  a  few  weeks,  devoted  to  the 
study  and  practice  of  these  principles,  will 
enable  almost  any  one  to  discover  and  amend 
his  errors  and  defects  in  articulating  our  for- 
ty-four sounds,  and  pronouncing  correctly, 
the  words  in  common  use ;  and  if  spelling  by 
sounds  and  by  sight,  be  faithfully  practiced, 
one  may  secure  another  rare  excellence, — 
that  of  writing  our  words  with  correctness 
and  despatch. 

237.  Every  thing  in  the  universe,  both  of 
mind  and  of  matter,  exists  in  reference  to  cer- 
tain fixed  principles,  which  are  called  laws 
of  order,  originating  in  the  Great  First 
Cause,  and  thence  emanating  throughout  all 
creation,  animate  and  inanimate:  and  so 
long  and  so  far,  as  these  laws  are  obeyed,  we 
are  shielded  from  all  evils,  physical  and  spiri- 
tual: hence,  if  a  man  suffers,  either  in  mind, 
or  body,  from  within,  or  without,  the  cause 
of  the  suffering  is  an  infringement  of  the 
Laws  of  Life.  Such,  then,  are  our  constitu- 
tions, and  relations,  that  we  cannot  loill, 
think,  or  act,  without  obeying,  or  violating. 
these  laws  of  Life,  of  Being,  of  Gon.  Oh  the 
lengths,  the  breadths,  the  heighths,  and  the 
depths  of  the  tcisdom  and  love  of  Gon,  as 
manifested  in  the  creation,  redemption,  and 

SALVATIOX    OF   MAX. 

Anecdote.  Pity.  A  would-be  orator,  of 
very  moderate  abilities,  after  a  long-  ha- 
rangue, asked  a  real  friend,  if  he  did  not  ex- 
cite much  compassion.  He  replied,  "most 
certainly,  you  did  sir;  every  one  of  the  au- 
dience pitied  you  most  heartily." 

"  The  way  was  long,  the  wind  was  cold, 
The  minstrel — was  infirm,  and  old; 
His  wither'd  cheek — and  tresses  gray, 
Beem'd  to  have  known  a  better  day. 
The  harp,  his  sole  remaining  joy, 
Was  carried — by  an  orphan  boy." 
Me — let  the  tender  office  long  engage, 
To  rock  the  cradle  of  reposing  age ; 
With  lenient  arts — extend  a  mother's  breath, 
Make  languor  smile,  and  smooth  the  bed  of  death; 
Explore  the  thought,  explain  the  asking  eye, 
And  keep,  a  while,  one  parent  from  the  sky  I 


84 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


238.  Pronunciation,  as  has  been  observed, 
had  a  very  comprehensive  meaning  among 
the  ancients,  taking  in  the  whole  compass  of 
delivery,  and  involving  every  thing  we  see 
and  hear  in  modern  elocution :  it  is  now  con- 
fined within  narrower  limits,  and  has  refer- 
ence only  to  the  manner  of  sounding  words. 
It  is  much  to  be  regretted,  that  there  is  not 
more  agreement,  even  among  literary  and 
scientific  men,  with  regard  to  this  important 
branch  of  our  subject :  but  when  we  reflect, 
that  not  one  in  a  hundred,  takes  it  up  syste- 
matically, and  masters  its  principles,  it  is  not 
su  "prising  that  there  is  so  much  discrepancy. 
This  consideration  of  inattention  to  the  sub- 
ject should  put  us  on  our  guard  against  fol- 
lowing their  examples  in  every  respect,  and 
of  yielding  implicit  obedience  to  their  whims 
and  oddities.  There  is  so  much  self-love  and 
pride  of  intelligence,  as  well  as  passion  for 
novelty,  prevalent  in  the  world,  that  the  stu- 
dent in  elocution,  as  well  as  in  every  thing 
else,  should  cleave  to  acknowledged  and  well 
established  principles;  and  regard  what  is 
most  useful  instead  of  what  is  new. 

239.  There  are  general  as  well  as  specific 
rules,  for  pronunciation:  a  partial  idea  of 
which,  may  be  obtained  from  this  manual  of 
Elocution.  The  author  has  been  engaged, 
for  many  years,  in  compiling  a  Dictionary, 
on  an  entirely  new  plan,  so  arranged,  that 
when  one  has  learned  the  definitions  of  a  few 
hundred  words,  he  can  accurately  define  as 
many  thousands;  and  with  the  use  of  his 
perfect  alphabet,  he  will  know  the  sound  of 
every  letter,  the  instant  he  sees  it,  and  how 
to  pronounce  each  word,  without  re-spelling, 
with  the  same  facility.  All  things  are  gov- 
erned by  fixed  principles,  when  they  are  in 
true  order;  and  when  the  principles  of  Pro- 
nunciation are  properly  developed,  and  ap- 
plied, they  will  be  found  as  simple  and  effec- 
tive, as  those  of  Elocution  and  Music. 

Notes.  1.  As  the  voice  is  ofteD  affected,  by  a  derangement 
of  the  respiratory  and  articulating  organs :  a  few  observations  are 
made  on  some  of  their  causes  and  remedies-  2.  Colds  and  Coughs 
— are  the  effects  of  Budden  exposure  to  a  cold  atmosphere,  by 
which  the  pores  of  the  skin,  (which  is  an  exhalcnt  surface,)  be- 
comes constringed  and  obstructed ;  which  obstructions  may  be  re- 
moved, by  restoring  to  the  skin,  (which  is  the  safety-valve  of  the 
system,)  its  usual  offices.  When  one  has  taken  cold,  the  mucus 
membrane  of  the  lungs,  and  air  passages,  (which  are  also  exha- 
lents,)  emit  a  new  fluid — to  compensate  for  the  interruption  in  the 
office  of  the  surface  of  the  body  ;  and,  as  this  new  secretion  con- 
sists of  humors,  which  can  be  of  no  further  use  to  the  system,  it 
excites  a  muscular  effort,  called  a  Cough  ;  by  which  it  is  detached 
from  the  surface  of  this  inner  skin,  and  expectorated.  One  of  the 
best  remedies  is  a  Vapor  Bath,  with  an  application  of  cold  water, 
and  friction  immediately  after. 

Anecdote.  A  parish  clerk,  having,  accor- 
ding to  custom,  published  the  banns  of  matri- 
mony, between  a  loving  couple,  was  followed 
by  the  minister,  who  gave  out  the  hymn, 
commencing  with  these  words — "Mistaken 
souls!  that  dream  of  Heaven.'''' 

Reason  gains  all  men, — by  compelling — none. 


Proverbs.  1.  Endeavor  to  improve  in  con- 
versation. 2.  He  who  is  wise  in  small  matters, 
will  be  wise  in  large  ones.  3.  Never  say  a  fool- 
ish thing.  4.  None  can  speak  so  feelingly  of  an 
advantage,  as  he  who  has  suffered  by  neglecting 
it.  5.  Let  not  the  sun  go  down  on  your  wrath. 
6.  Our  minds  are  moulded  and  fashioned  by  the 
books  we  read.  7.  Better  be  good,  and  not  seem 
so,  than  seem  good,  and  not  be  so.  8.  A  pleasant 
journey  is  dearly  bought,  with  the  loss  of  home. 
9.  He,  only,  is  a  man,  who  governs  himself.  10. 
Ml  have  power  to  distinguish  between  right, 
and  wrong.  11.  Turn  a  deaf  ear  to  obscene 
words     12.  All  things  are  proven  by  contrast. 

Good  Sense.  It  will  preserve  us  from  cen~ 
soriousness;  will  lead  us  to  distinguish  cir' 
cumstances;  keep  us  from  looking  after  vis- 
ionary perfection,  and  make  us  see  things  in 
their  proper  light.  It  will  lead  us  to  study 
dispositions,  peculiarities,  accommodations; 
to  weigh  consequences;  to  determine  what 
to  observe  and  what  to  pass  by;  when  to  be 
immoveable,  and  when  to  yield.  It  will  pro- 
duce good  manners,  keep  us  from  taking 
freedoms,  and  handling  things  roughly;  will 
never  agitate  claims  of  superiority,  but  teach 
us  to  submit  ourselves  one  to  another.  Good 
sense — will  lead  persons  to  regard  their  own 
duties,  rather  than  to  recommend  those  of 
others. 

Varieties.  1.  Is  not  a  true  knowledge  of 
the  Divine  Being,  the  foundation  of  religion, 
and  the  corner-stone  of  the  church?  2. 
Every  improper  indulgence  of  the  passions, 
increases  their  strength  for  evil.  3.  Few 
seem  to  be  aware,  how  much  depends  on  the 
culture  of  our  social  nature.  4.  It  is  a  great 
happiness — to  be  free  from  suspicion;  but  a 
greater,  to  be  free  from  offence.  5.  To  be 
without  passion,  is  worse  than  a  beast;  and 
to  be  without  reason,  is  worse  than  a  man, 
6.  The  refined  pleasures  of  a  truly  pious 
mind,  are  far  superior  to  the  coarse  gratifica- 
tions of  sense.  7.  God  gave  no  faculty  of 
mind,  or  body,  to  men,  but  those  which  he 
meant  should  be  exerted,  and  honor  him  in 
his  design;  the  perversion  of  those  faculties, 
and  acting  from,  in,  and  by  them,  contrary 
to  God's  design,  makes  the  evil,  disease,  and 

death. 

THE  DAY  OF  LIFE. 
The  morning  hours— of  cheerful  light, 

Of  all  the  day — are  best ; 
But,  as  they  speed  their  hasty  flight, 
If  every  houi — be  spent  aright, 
We  sweetly  sink — to  sleep — at  night, 

And  pleasant — is  our  rest. 
And  life — is  like  a  summer's  day, 

It  seems  so  quickly  past : 
Youth — is  the  morning,  bright,  and  gay ; 
And,  if 'tis  spent  in  wisdom's  way, 
We  meet  old  age — without  dismay. 
And  death — is  sweet — at  last. 
Oft,  the  cloud,  that  wraps  the  present  hour, 
Lives— but  to  brighten— all  our  future  days. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


85 


240.  Pauses,  are  indications  of  silence; 
they  were  introduced  with  the  art  of  printing; 
and  it  is  questionable,  whether  they  have  aid- 
ed us  much  in  learning  to  read  or  speak:  for 
if  there  were  no  pauses,  we  should  be  com- 
pelled to  exercise  the  mind,  so  far  as  neces- 
sary to  understand  the  author.  Pauses  in 
speech,  are  analagous  to  rests  in  music  ;  and 
there  are  seven  different  kinds  in  each  art;  all 
of  which  must  be  thoroughly  understood,  in 
their  essence,  to  read,  write,  or  sing  correctly. 
The  true  principles  of  notation,  or  pauses, 
are  found  only  in  the  measure  of  speech, 
which  is  based  on  the  philosophy  of  mind, 
involving  the  exercise  of  thinking  and  feel- 
ing. The  use  of  pauses  is  to  aid  in  making 
the  sense  clearer,  and  should  be  only  just  long 
enough  to  answer  their  end. 

341.  There  are  two  kinds  of  pauses, — 
Grammatical  and  Rhetorical.  Grammatical 
pauses  are  distinguished  by  characters,  and 
are  addressed  to  the  eye,  as  well  as  to  the  ear. 
The  shortest  pause  is  called  a  comma,  (>) 
which  indicates  a  silence  of  one  second.  The 
teacher  is  recommended  to  count,  at  every 
pause,  while  the  pupil  reads ;  the  same  as  is 
done  at  the  rests  in  music;  this  exercise,  is 
the  surest  to  accomplish  the  object.  Ex.  1. 
Do  to  others,  as  you  would  they  should  do  to 
you.  2.  None  can  be  a  disciple  of  the  graces, 
but  in  the  school  of  virtue.  3.  Be  armed 
with  courage,  against  thyself,  against  thy 
passions,  and  against  thy  flatterers.  4.  Every 
leaf,  every  twig,  and  every  drop  of  water, 
teems  with  life.  5.  The  colors  of  the  rain- 
bow are — violet,  indigo,  blue,  green,  yellow, 
orange  and  red. 

24:3.  Examples  to  Illustrate  the  Pauses. 
The  three  grand  degTees  of  all  existences  are 
— what  is  natural,  httmax  and  DIVINE. 
The  three  grand  divisions  of  all  natural 
things  are — earths,  waters  and  atmospheres. 
The  three  kingdoms  of  nature  are — the  min- 
eral, the  vegetable,  and  the  animal.  The 
three  divisions  of  the  mineral  kingdom  are — 
the  soils,  the  rocks,  and  the  precious  stones. 
The  three  divisions  of  the  vegetable  kingdom 
are — grasses,  plants  and  shrubs,  and  trees. 
The  three  divisions  of  the  animal  kingdom 
are — into  those  that  creep  and  ivalk  on  the 
earth,  those  that  swim,  and  those  that  fly. 
Each  of  these  divisions  is  divided  in  trincs  ,- 
according  to  which,  all  things  exist,  and  sub- 
sist. 

Anecdote.  An  agent,  soliciting  subscri- 
bers for  a  book,  showed  the  prospectus  to  a 
man,  who,  after  reading-  —  "one  dollar  in 
boards,  and  one  dollar  and  twenty-five  cents 
in  sheep," — declined  subscribing,  as  he  might 
not  have  boards  or  sheep  on  hand,  when  call- 
ed upon  for  payment. 

The  humble  man,  when  he  receives  a  wrong, 

Refers  revenge — to  whom  it  doth  belong. 

H 


Proverbs..  1.  A  bird  is  known  by  his  note, 
— and  a  man  by  his  talk.  2.  There  are  many, 
who  glory  in  their  shame.  3.  A  good  character — 
is  a  badge  of  excellence,  that  cannot  long  be  con- 
cealed. 4.  Never  more,  or  less,  than  enough.  5. 
Some  —  rather  imitate   greatness,  than  goodness. 

6.  There  is  misery  in  xoant,  and  danger  in  excess. 

7.  Good  sayings,  belong  to  all;  evil  actions  only 
to  their  authors.  8.  A  knowledge  of  the  ivay,  is  a 
good  part  of  the  journey.  9.  If  we  go  wrong,  the 
farther  we  go,  the  farther  we  are  from  home.  10. 
Reform  yourself  first,  and  then,  others.  11.  The 
fool — wanders;  the  wise — travel.  12  Words  are 
wind  ;  seeing  is  believing. 

Inadequacy  of  Language.  Words  — 
are  poor  weapons.  The  most  beautiful  verses 
— are  those  which  we  cannot  express.  The 
diction  of  every  language  is  insufficient ;  and 
every  day,  the  heart  of  man  finds,  in  the  de- 
licacy of  his  sentiments,  and  the  imagination 
discovers — in  the  impressions  of  visible  na- 
ture, things,  winch  the  mouth  cannot  embody 
for  want  of  u'ords.  The  heart,  and  the 
l/wught  of  man — are  like  a  musician — driven 
to  play  infinitely  varied  music — on  an  organ. 
which  has  but  few  notes.  It  is  sometimes 
more  advisable  to  be  siient  than  to  speak. 
Silence — is  felt  by  the  soul,  and  appreciated 
by  God ,-  and  that  is  enough. 

Varieties.  1.  Is  not  the  doctrine  of  the 
divinity,  and  humanity — of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  the  touchstone,  by  which  the  chris- 
tian church  is  to  be  tried?  2.  The  life  of  a 
christian — is  his  walk ;  Christ  is  his  way, 
and  heaven — his  home.  3.  A  coward  in  the 
field,  is  like  a  wise  man's  fool ;  he  does  not 
know  what  he  professes ;  but  a  coward  in  the 
faith,  ia  like  a  fool,  in  his  wisdom,  he  does  not 
profess  what  he  knows.  4.  Virtue — consists 
in  the  faithful  performance  of  our  duty,  from 
love  to  God,  and  love  to  man ;  and  vice — in 
the  neglect  of  our  duty  from  a  love  of  self, 
and  a  love  of  the  world.  5.  The  heart  of  a 
worthless  man  —  is  as  unfixed,  and  change- 
able, as  the  fitful  wind.  6.  The  tongue  may 
speak  the  loudest ;  but  the  heart — the  truest. 
7.  Look  at  the  form4  consider  the  desire,  and 
act,  and  mark  the  end;  for  thereby  you  may 
know  the  nature  of  all  created  beings. 

This  world's  not  "  all  a  fleeting  show, 

For  man's  illusion  given  ;" — 
He  that  hath  sooth'd  a  widow's  wo, 
Or  wip'd  an  orphan's  tear,  doth  know 

There's  something  here  of  Heaven. 

And  he,  that  walks  life's  thorny  way, 

With  feelings  calm  and  even, 
Whose  path  is  lit,  from  day  to  day, 
By  virtue's  bright  and  steady  ray, 

Hath  something  felt  of  Heaven. 

He,  that  the  christian's  course  hath  ran, 

And  all  his  foes  forgiven, 
Who  measures  out  life's  little  span 
In  love  to  God — and  love  to  man, 

On  earth,  hath  tasted  Heaven. 


86 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


243.  The  Semicolon — is  an  indication  that 
we  should  pause  long  enough  to  count  two, 
deliberately ;  and  while  we  are  thus  resting, 
from  physical  effort,  we  can  carry  on  our 
mental  effort,  for  the  purpose  of  producing 
the  desired  effect ;  for  it  is  of  the  first  impor- 
tance, in  reading  and  speaking,  to  keep  the 
mind  employed  with  the  thoughts  and  feel- 
ings ;  even  when  there  is  no  external  act; 
except  it  may  he  the  play  of  the  facial  mus- 
cles. 1.  Envy  not  the  appearance  of  happi- 
ness in  any  one ;  for  you  know  not  his  secret 
grief.  2.  The  sign  without  the  substance,  is 
nothing  ;  the  substance  without  the  sign,  is 
all  things.  3.  None  are  so  innocent,  as  not 
to  be  evil  spoken  of;  none  so  wicked,  as  to 
want  all  commendation.  4.  We  may  know 
what  we  will  not  utter ;  but  we  should  never 
utter,  what  we  do  not  know. 

244.  The  following  lines  afford  a  good  ex- 
ercise, in  the  placing  and  use  of  the  gram- 
matical jxiuse. 

I  saw  a  peacock  with  a  fiery  tail 
I  saw  a  blazing  star  that  dropt  down  hail 
I  saw  a  cloud  begirt  with  ivy  round 
I  saw  a  sturdy  oak  creep  on  the  ground 
I  saw  a  pismire  swallow  up  a  whale 
I  saw  the  brackish  sea  brim  full  of  ale 
I  saw  a  phial  glass  sixteen  yards  deep 
I  saw  a  well  full  of  men's  tears  to  weep 
I  saw  man's  eyes  all  on  a  flame  of  fire 
I  saw  a  house  high  as  the  moon  or  higher 
I  saw  the  radiant  sun  at  deep  midnight 
I  saw  the  man  who  saw  this  dreadful  sight. 

245.  Natural  History — involves  the 
study  of  all  the  productions  of  nature,  ani- 
mal, vegetable  and  mineral  ,■  their  qualities, 
relations  and  origin.  It  is  divided  into  three 
kingdoms,  giving  rise  to  the  corresponding 
sciences  of  Zoology,  Botany  and  Mineralogy  ; 
which  are  divided  into  classes,  orders,  genera, 
and  species,  founded  on  prominent  distinc- 
tions ;  in  which,  what  most  resembles  the 
earth,  are  placed  nearest  in  relation  to  it. 

Anecdote.  "  How  do  you  know,"  (said  a 
traveler  to  a  poor  wandering  Arab  of  the  des- 
ert,) "  That  there  is  a  God?"  "  In  the  same 
manner,"  (he  replied,)  "  that  I  trace  the  foot- 
steps of  an  animal, — by  the  prints  it  leaves 
upon  the  sand." 

Nor  let  soft  slumber — close  your  eyes, 

Before  you've  recollected  thrice 

The  train  of  actions — through  the  day  ; 

Where  have  my  feet — chose  out  the  way  ? 

What  have  I  learned,  where'er  I've  been, 

From  all  I've  heard,  from  all  I've  seen? 

What  know  I  more,  that's  worth  the  knowing? 

What  have  I  done,  that's  worth  the  doing? 

What  have  I  sought,  that  I  should  shun? 

What  duly — have  I  left  undone? 

Or  into  what  new  follies  run? 

These  self-inquiries — arc  the  road, 

That  leads  to  virtue— and  to  God. 


Proverbs.  1.  Prosperity— engenders  sloth. 
2.  Laziness — grows  on  people  ;  it  begins  in  cob- 
ivebs,  and  ends  in  chains.  3.  Many  have  done  a 
tvise  thing ;  more  a  cunning  thing  ;  but  very  few — 
a  generous  thing.  4.  What  cannot  be  told,  had 
better  not  be  done.  5.  No  patience,  no  true  wis- 
dom. 6.  Those  that  are  careless  of  themselves,  can 
hardly  be  mindful  of  others.  7.  Contentment  gives 
a  crown,  where  fortune  hath  denied  it.  8.  He, 
who  lives  disorderly  one  year,  does  not  enjoy  him- 
self for  five.  9.  Public  men,  should  have  puWic 
■minds  :  or  private  ends  will  be  served,  at  the  pub- 
lic cost.  10.  Mildness — governs  belter  than  anger. 
11.  While  there  is  life,  there  is  hope.  12.  Good 
men — are  a  public  good. 

Importance  of  Observation.  The  ex- 
ternal world  is  designed,  by  its  Creator,  to 
aid  essentially  in  developing  the  human 
mind.  Ten  thousand  objects  appeal  to  our 
observation ;  and  each  one  is  a  book — of  the 
most  interesting  character,  which  can  be  had 
without  money,  and  without  price.  But  we 
must  attend  to  the  animate,  as  well  as  to  the 
iH-animate  world, — to  men,  as  well  as  to 
things.  We  should  not  be  ashamed  to  ask 
for  information,  when  we  do  not  understand 
the  whys  and  wherefores ;  nor  fail  of  con- 
versing with  every  one,  who  can  impart  to  us 
useful  knowledge. 

Varieties.     1.   Are  christians  prohibited 
the   proper   use  of  any  natural  good"?    2. 
When  the  honor  and  interest  of  truth  are 
concerned,  it  is  our  duty  to  use  all  lawful 
means — for  its  support  and  defence.    3.  Tol- 
eration— is  odious  to  the  intolerant ;  free- 
dom — to  oppressors;   property  to   robbers; 
and  all  kinds  of  prosperity  to  the  envious. 
4.  General  Washington  was  born,  Feb.  22nd, 
(O.  S.)  1732;  and  died,  Dec.  14th,  1797,  aged 
67;  21  years  after  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence.   5.  What  is  the  most  perfect  Gov- 
ernment'.'   that,  where  an   injury  done  the 
meanest  citizen,  is  considered  an  insult  upon 
the  constitution.   6.  Grammar — speaks;  Di- 
alectics— teach  truth ;  Rhetoric — gives  color- 
ing to  our  speech ;  Music — sings;  Arithme- 
tic— numbers ;  Geometry — weighs ;  and  As- 
tronomy— teaches  us  to  know  the  stars.    7. 
As  the  Apostle  saith,  so  it  is,  viz :  The  in- 
visible  things    of    God,  and  Divine   Order, 
may  be  seen,  and  understood  by  those  thing  s 
which  are  made,  in  outward  creation ;   even 
his  eternal  power  and  Gorf-head. 
Words  are  like  leaves;  and  where  they  most  abound, 
Much  fruit  of  sense  beneath — is  rarely  found. 
False  eloquence,  like  the  prismatic  glass, 
Its  gaudy  colors  spreads-on  ev'ry  place  J 
The  face  of  Nature — we  no  more  survey  ; 
All  glares  alike,  without  distinction — gay  : 
But  true  expression,  like  th'  unchanging  sun, 
Clears,  and  improves,  whate'er  it  shines  upon: 
It  gilds — all  objects,  but  it  alters — none. 
Expression — is  the  dress  of  thought,  and  still 
Appears  more  decent — as  more  suitable 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


87 


246.  A  Colon,  (:)  marks  a  pause  of  three 
seconds ;  or  while  one  can  count  three,  delib- 
erately. Principles — are  tested  by  their  ap- 
plication ;  but  even  then,  we  must  think,  as 
well  as  feel,  and  ascertain  the  whys  and 
wherefores.  1.  Read  the  sacred  Scriptures: 
they  are  the  dictates  of  divine  wisdom.  2. 
Harbor  no  malice  in  thy  heart:  it  will  be  a 
viper  in  thy  bosom.  3.  Do  not  insult  a  poor 
man :  his  situation  entities  him  to  our  pity. 
4.  He,  that  studies  only  /nan,  will  get  the 
body  without  the  soul :  he  that  studies  only 
books,  will  get  the  soul,  without  the  body: 
m  dom  s;iys,  study  both.  5.  Partially  deaf 
persons,  more  easily  hear  a  moderately  loud 
voice  with  a  clear  articulation,  than  a  very 
loud  one,  that  is  rapi/l  and  indistinct :  so  it 
is  with  a  weak  voice,  in  addressing  a  large 
assembly. 

247.  CoiNTiriEXCE.  Washington  —  was 
born,  Feb.  22d,  1732 ,  was  inaugurated, 
1789;  and  his  term  of  service  expired  in  the 
66th  year  of  his  age:  John  Adams  was  born, 
Oct  19,  1735;  inaugurated,  1797;  term  ex- 
pired in  the  66th  year  of  his  age.-  Thomas 
Jefferson  was  born,  April  2d,  1743;  inaugu- 
rated, 1801 ;  term  expired  in  the66th  year  of 
his  age:  Madisonviaa  born, March  5th,  17.01 : 
inaugurated,  1S09 ;  term  expired  in  the  66th 
year  of  his  age:  Monroe  was  born,  April  2  1, 
1759;  inaugurated,  1817;  term  expired  in 
the  66th  year  of  his  age:  all  these  five  presi- 
dents were  men  of  the  Revolution,  and  ended 
their  term  of  service  in  the  66th  year  of  their 
age. 

248.  Breathing.  When  we  sit  at  our 
ease,  and  are  not  exercising  the  voice,  our 
breathing  is  slow  and  regular;  and  the  more 
we  speak,  work,  or  sing-,  the  more  frequently 
must  we  inhale  fresh  air;  because  the  expen- 
diture is  greater  at  such  times :  many  persons 
fall  victims  to  this  neglect;  and  little  is  our 
primary  instruction  in  reading  calculated  to 
aid  us  in  appropriate  breathing ;  the  results 
of  which  are,  exceedingly  bad  habits,  induc- 
ing  impediments  in  vocal  efforts,  disease  and 
death.  Oh,  when  shall  we  be  wise,  and  un- 
derstand these  things'?  How  hard  to  learn, 
even  by  experience.' 

Anecdote.  A  Mutual  Mistake.  Two 
gentlemen  were  riding  in  a  stage-conch ;  when 
one  of  them,  missing  his  hundkerchuf  rashly 
accused  the  other  of  having  stolen  it;  but 
soon  finding  it,  had  the  good  manners  to  beg 
pardon  for  the  affront;  saying  it  was  amis- 
take:  to  which  the  other  replied,  with  great 
readiness,  and  kind  feeling,  "  Don't  be  un- 
easy ;  it  was  a  mutual  mistake :  you  took 
me  for  a  thief}  and  /took  you,  for  a  gentle- 
man." 

It  is  a  vain  attempt 

To  bind  the  ambitious  and  unjust,  by  tuaties  ; 

These — they  elude, — a  thousanti  specious  ways. 


Proverbs.  1.  Religion  says  —  love  all;  and 
hate  none.  2.  Observe  all  those  rules  of  politeness 
at  home,  that  you  would  among  strangers.  3.  At 
the  close  of  each  day,  carefully  review  your  con- 
duct. 4.  Avoid  unpleasant  looks.  5.  Be  not  over 
anxious  for  money.  6.  Acquire  the  useful— first  ; 
the  brilliant  —  afterwards.  7.  A  virtuous  youth, 
will  make  a  happy  old  age.  8.  One  ill  example — 
spoils  many  good  precepts.  9.  It  costs  more  to  re- 
venge injuries,  than  to  bear  them.  10.  For  the 
evidence  of  truth,  look  at  the  truth  itself.  11.  A 
friend  is  known,  when  needed.  12.  Who  robs  a 
scholar,  robs  the  ptiblic. 

Experience.  In  early  youth,  while  yet 
we  live  among  those  we  love,  we  love  without 
restraint,  and  our  hearts  overflow  in  every 
look,  word  and  action.  But  when  we  enter 
the  world,  and  are  repulsed  by  strangers, 
and  forgotten  by  friends,  we  grow  more  and 
more  timid  in  our  approaches,  even  to  those 
we  love  best.  How  delightful  to  us,  then, 
are  the  caresses  of  children  .'  All  sincerity, 
all  affection,  they  fly  into  our  arms,-  and 
then  only,  we  feel  the  renewal  of  our  first 
confidence,  and  first  pleasure. 

"Varieties.  1.  What  is  more  revolting — 
than  the  idea  of  a.  plurality  of  Gods?  2.  An 
evil  habit,  in  the  beginning,  is  easily  sub- 
dued; but  being  often  repeated,  it  acquires 
strength,  and  becomes  inveterate.  3.  The 
bee  and  the  serpent — often  extract  the  same 
juices ;  but,  by  the  serpent,  they  are  conver- 
ted into  poison  ;  while  by  the  bee,  they  arc 
converted  into  honey.  4.  lie,  that  aims  at  the 
sun,  will  not  hit  it, — but  his  arrow  will  fly 
higher,  than  if  he  aimed  at  an  object  on  a  le- 
vel with  himself.  5.  Is  there  not  a. place  and 
state,  for  every  one,  and  should  not  every  one 
he  in  his  proper  state  and  place  ?  6.  Those 
little  words,  " try,"  and  "begin,"  have  been 
great,  in  their  results:  "1  ain't" — never  did 
anything,  and  never  will:  "III  try"  —  has 
done  wonders.  7.  The  ministry  of  angels — 
is  that  of  supplying  uswith  spiritual  reasons, 
truths,  and  fore-principles,  whensoever  we 
stand  in  need  of  them. 

Gold — many  hunted,  stceal — and  bled  for  gold; 

Waked  all  the  night,  and  labored  all  the  day : 

And  what  was  this  allurement,  dost  thou  ask  ? 

A  dust,  dug  from  the  bowels  of  the  earth, 

Which,  being  cast  into  the  fire,  came  out 

A  shining  thing,  that  fools  admired,  and  called — 

A  god;  and,  in  devout  and  humble  plight, 

Before  it  kneeled,  the  greater — to  the  less. 

And  on  its  altar — sacrificed  ease,  peace, 

Truth,  faith,  integrity  ;  good  conscience, friends. 

Love,  charity,  benevolence,  and  all 

The  sweet  and  tender  sympathies  of  life  ; 

And  to  complete  the  horrid — murderous  rite, 

And  signalize  ihclr  folly,  offered  up 

Their  souls,  and  an  eternity  of  bliss, 

To  gain  them — what?  an  hour  of  dreaming  joy  • 

A  feverish  hour — that  hasted  to  be  done, 

And  ended — in  the  bitterness  of  wo. 


88 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


219.  A  Period,  (•)  shows  that  we  should 
pause  four  seconds;  or  while  we  can  count 
four,  deliberately.  1.  Envy  no  man.  2. 
Know  thyself.  3.  Guard  against  idleness.  4. 
Vilify  no  person's  reputation.  5.  Abhor  a 
falsehood.  6.  Blessed  are  the  poor  in  spirit. 
7.  Jesus  wept.  8.  Hurt  not  thyself.  9.  Cher- 
ish the  spirit  of  benevolence.  10.  Perform 
your  duty  faithfully.  11.  Make  a  proper 
use  of  time.  12.  Cultivate  the  affections. 
13.  Do  good  to  all.  14.  Be  punctual  in 
your   engagements.     15.   Love    humanity. 

6.  Obey  the  commandments.  17.  Live  the 
Lord's  Prayer.  18.  Be  holy  and  just.  19. 
Be  perfect.    20.  Live  for  immortality. 

250.  Fytliagorus,  about  five  hundred 
years  before  the  Christian  era,  called  the  visi- 
ble universe — by  the  very  expressive  Greek 
name,  ho  kosmos — the  order,  which  we 
translate — the  world.  The  Platonic  school, 
afterwards,  withdrawing  attention  from  gen- 
eral nature,  and  fixing  it  on  the  epitome — 
Man — began  to  call  Mm — homikros  kosmos, 
the  miniature  world ;  or,  order  in  miniature. 
How  much  useful  and  instructive  history 
there  is  in  the  origin  of  words!  and  it  is 
gratifying  to  know,  that  these  same  subjects 
employed  such  minds  as  Plato's,  more  than 
two  thousand  years  ago. 

251.  The  intellectual  physiognomy  of 
Chatham. — was  of  a  severe,  and  commanding 
order  ;  his  genius — was  eminently  practical  : 
and  while  no  person — ever  surpassed  him, 
in  the  lofty  aspiration  and  generous  enthusi- 
asm of  patriotism,  few  have  equalled  him,  in 
their  calm  and  christian  application.  His 
private  character, — shone  with  a  lustre,  very 
different  from  the  unhealthy  glare  of  political 
fame.  His  correspondence — presents  him  un- 
der an  engaging  asjiect,  and  enables  the  rea- 
der to  admire  the  husbund  and  father,  not 
less  than  the  statesman  and  the  orator. 

Anecdote.  The  Far  West.  "Pray  sir," 
said  one  gentleman  to  another,  "  Is  not  In- 
diana— the  Far  West  ?"  "  Oh  no  sir,"  was 
the  reply.  "Well,  is  not  Illinois?"  "Very 
far  from  it"  "  Surely  then,  when  we  cross 
the  Mississipipi,  you  are  in  the  Far  West .'" 
"  No,  not  exactly."  "  Where,  then,  is  the  Far 
West !"  "  Why  sir,  it  is  about  a  half  a  mile 
this  side  of  sunset." 

Beware,  proud  man,  the  first  approach  to  crime. 
Indulgence — is  most  dangerous — nay,  fatal, — 
Resist,  or  soon  resistance  is  in  vain. 
The  first — leads  to  the  second,  then  to  the  third 
The  fourth  succeeds,  until,  familiar  grown 
"With  vice,  we  start  not — at  our  own  misdeeds. 
Temptation  comes,  so  clothed  in  speciousness, 
So  Cull  of  seeming,  we  behold  her  not 
With  apprehension,  till  her  baneful  poxv'r 
Has  wrestled  with  our  virtue :  dreadful  stale! 
When  vice  steals  in,  and,  like  a  lurking  thief, 
Saps — the  foundation  of  integrity. 


Proverbs.  1.  Put  not  off  repentance — till  an- 
other day.  2.  Rashness — is  the  fruitful  parent  of 
misfortune.  3.  Se{/"-exaltation — is  the  fool's  para- 
dise. 4.  Sweet  is  the  memory — of  departed  worth. 
5.  The  covetous  man — is  his  own  tormentor.  6. 
Avail  yourself  of  the  wisdom  and  experience  of 
others.  7.  Be  ambitious  of  excelling,  that  you 
may  do  and  gd  the  greater  good.  8.  The  first  step 
to  greatness  is — to  be  honest.  9.  Truth — is  the  ba- 
sis of  all  excellence.  10.  Unlauful  love — general- 
ly ends  in  bitterness.  11.  They  that  hide,  can  find. 
12.  A  penny  spared,  is  twice  got. 

The  Gentleman  and  Ms  Tenant. 
A  country  gentleman — had  an  estate  of 
two  hundred  pounds  a  year,  which  he  kept 
in  his  own  hands,  till  he  found  himself  so 
much  in  debt,  that  he  was  obliged  to  sell  one 
half  to  satisfy  his  creditors,  and  let  the  re- 
mainder to  a  farmer  for  one  and  twenty 
years.  Before  the  expiration  of  his  lease,  the 
farmer  asked  the  gentleman,  when  he  came 
one  day  to  pay  his  rent,  whether  he  would 
sell  the  land  he  occupied.  "  Why,  will  you 
purchase  it'!"  said  the  gentleman.  "  If  you 
will  part  with  it,  and  we  can  agree,"  replied 
the  farmer.  "  That  is  exceeding  strange," 
said  the  gentleman.  "  Pray,  tell  me  how  it 
happens,  that  I  could  not  live  upon  twice  as 
much  land,  for  which  I  paid  no  rent,  and  that 
you,  after  regularly  paying  me  a  hundred  a 
year  for  the  half,  are  able,  so  soon,  to  pur- 
chase it."  "  The  reason  is  plain"  answered 
the  farmer.  "  You  sat  still,  and  said,  Go.  I 
stood  up,  and  said,  Come.  You  lay  in  bed, 
and  enjoyed  your  ease.  J  rose  in  the  morn- 
ing, and  minded  my  business." 

Varieties.     1.  Who  should  be  more  vir- 
tuous and  intelligent,  than  the  Teacher,  who 
is  to  educate,  and  form  characters — for  time 
and  eternity?    2.  The  happiness  of  every 
one — depends  more  on  the  state  of  his  own 
mind,  than  any  external  circumstance :  nay 
more  than  all  external  things  put  together. 
3.  Borrowed  money — makes  time  short.    4. 
The  lowest  condition  of  life,  with  prudence, 
is  better  than  the  most  exalted  station,  with- 
out it.    5.  How  absurd,  to  be  complaining, 
and  tormenting  ourselves,  for  what  it  is  im- 
possible to  avoid,  or  attain.   6.  Pause,  awhile, 
ye  travelers  on  earth,  and  candidates  for  eter- 
nity, and  contemplate  the  universe,  and  the 
Wisdom  and  Lore  of  Him  who  made  it.    7. 
Where  there  is  no  unison  with  God,  the  only 
source  of  order,  love  and  light,  there  is  nei- 
ther order,  or  love,  or  light,  but  their  oppc- 
sites.    8.  Art — is  long,  life — is  short. 
How  terrible — is  passion  !  how  our  reason 
Falls  doivn  before  it;  while  the  tortured/rame. 
Like  a  ship — dashed  by  fierce  encountering  tides, 
And  of  tier  pilot  spoil'd,  drives  round  and  round, 
The  sport  of  ivind — and  wave. 
Our  passions — always_/ata£  counsel  give  ; 
Through  a  fallacious  glass — our  wrotigs — appear 
Still  greater—  than  they  are. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


89 


252.  The  Interrogation,  (i)  indicates  a 
pause,  equal  to  the  Colon,  or  Period,  accord- 
ing to  circumstances.  It  is  generally  used  as 
a  sign  of  asking  questions-  though  sometimes, 
it  is  one  of  the  strongest  modes  of  affirmation. 
1.  Can  you  see. ?  2.  Can  you  hear?  3.  Can 
you  taste  ?  4.  Can  you  smell  ?  5.  Can  you 
feel?  6.  Who  are  you?  7.  What  are  you 
doing?  8.  Where  are  you  going ?  9.  What 
is  youi  destiny?  10.  Who  made  you?  11. 
Of  what  are  you  thinking?  12.  Whom  do 
~ju  love? 

253.  Among  the  examples  above,  are.  the 
first  five  questions,  that  are  direct :  because 
they  admit  the  atiswer,  yes,  or  -no ;  all  such 
interrogations  require  the  voice  to  glide  up- 
ward,  masking  them;  the  last  seven  questions 
are  indirect ;  because  they  do  not  admit  the 
answer  yes,  or  no ;  all  such  interrogations  re- 
quire the  voice  to  glide  doivnward,in  asking 
them.  You  can  test  the  theory  thus:  Can 
you  see  ?  Yes  ,•  or  no.  Who  are  you  ?  Yes  ; 
or  no.  The  former — makes  sense  ;  the  latter 
nonsense.  Can  you  hear?  Yes.  Can  you 
taste?  No.  What  are  you  doing?  Yes. 
Where  are  you  going?  No.  However,  it 
will  be  seen  hereafter,  that  the  slides  of  the 
voice,  up,  or  down,  may  be  reversed — in  every 
instance,  and  yet  make  good  sense. 

254-.  Direct  Question  in  reference  to  our 
Living  Temples.  Is  not  the  house,  in  which 
we  live,  a  very  curious  building  ?  Can  we 
conceive  of  any  form — more  beautiful  than 
the  human  form,  when  it  has  not  been  per- 
verted, or  deformed?  Who  knows  best,  we, 
or  our  Creator,  what  is  the  proper  shape  in 
which  we  should  be?  Can  we  mend  his 
works  ?  Is  any  thing  beautiful — that  is  not 
useful  ?  Were  we  not  made  right,  and  have 
we  not,  in  a  measure,  unmade  ourselves  ?  Is 
not  our  house  a  very  convenient  one,  and 
'tis  furniture  admirably  adapted  to  the  wants 
of  its  occupant  ?  Would  it  not  be  well — fre- 
quently to  take  a  view  of  the  form,  covering, 
apartments,  furniture,  employments,  uses 
and  abuses  of  this  wonderful  house  of  ours  ? 

Anecdote.  A  Challenge.  After  the  battle 
of  Actium,  Mark  Antony  —  challenged  Au- 
gustus,— who  disarmed  him  in  the  following 
words.  "  If  Antony  —  is  weary  of  his  life, 
there  are  other  ways  of  despatch,  besides 
fighting  him.',  and  for  my  part,  I  shall  not 
trouble  myself  to  be  his  executioner." 

There  are  some — heart-entwining  hours  in  life, 

With  sweet  seraphic  inspiration  rife; 

When  mellowing  thoughts,  like  music  on  the  ear, 

Melt  through  the  soul,  and  revel  in  a  tear  ; 

And  such  are  they,  when,  tranquil  and  alone, 

We  sit — and  ponder — on  long  periods  flown  ; 

And,  charmed  by  fancy's  retrospective  gaze, 

Live  in  an  atmosphere — of  other  days  ; 

Till  friends  and  faces,  flashing  on  the  mind, 

Conceal  the  havoc — time  has  left  behind 

12  H2 


Proverbs.  1.  Manifest  no  excitement,  when  a 
mistake  is  made.  2.  Be  sincere — in  your  profes- 
sions of  friendship.  3.  Cultivate  a  pure  heart,  and 
you  will  have  a  pleasant  countenance.  4.  Never 
speak  to  the  disadvantage  of  any  one,  unless  duty 
— requires  it.  5.  Avoid  light  and  trifling  conversa- 
tion. 6.  A  civil  answer,  to  a  rude  speech — costs  but 
little,  and  is  worth  a  good  deal.  7.  Dispel  corrod- 
ing care;  and  consider  it  sinful — to  give  way  to 
passion.  8.  Charms — strike  the  sight;  but  merit- 
wins  the  soul.  9.  Persons  are  to  be  estimated,  ac- 
cording to  their  goodness, — not  according  to  their 
dress.  10.  The  sincere  and  candid  man, — has  no- 
thing to  conceal;  for  he  speaks  nothing  but  the 
truth.  11.  Turn  a  deaf  ear  to  angry  words.  12. 
He  who  promises — runs  in  debt. 

Laconics.  We  esteem  most  things  according 
to  their  intrinsic  merit;  it  is  strange  man  should  be 
an  exception.  We  prize  ahorse  for  his  strength  and 
courage, — not  for  his  furniture.  We  prize  a  man 
for  his  sumptuous  palace,  his  great  train,  his  vast 
revenue;  yet  these  are  his  furniture,  not  his  mind. 

Varieties.  1.  Which  is  the  more  impor- 
tant— and  useful  discovery,  the  balloon,  or 
the  telegraph?  2.  What  is  the  cause  of  sea- 
currents?  3.  Will  it  take  ages — to  discover 
the  truth ;  or  ages — to  acknowledge  it,  when 
it  is  discovered  ?  4.  What  is  meant  by  the 
words,  a  pure  state  of  nature  ?  Do  they  not 
mean  that  state,  hi  which  the  condition,  cir- 
cumstances, and  habits  of  men — are  in  strict 
accordance  with  the  laws  of  his  nature  ?  5. 
Is  not  Hip-poc-fa-tes  called  the  Father  of 
Medicine  ?  6.  If  we  are  not  happy,  is  it  be- 
cause our  Creator  has  not  endowed  us  with 
the  capability  of  becoming  so?  7  What  is 
the  difference — in  reasoning  from  facts  and 
experience,  and  reasoning  from  a  mixture  of 
truth  and  falsehood?  Do  not  many — reason 
from  the  latter,  instead  of  from  the  former  ? 

TirE   BEACON. 

The  scene — was  more  beautiful— ^ar  to  my  eye 

Than  if  day — in  its  pride — had  arrayed  it; 
The  land-breeze  b\ewmild.  and  the  azure  arch'dsky 

Look'd  pure — as  the  Spirit  that  made  i' 
The  murmur  rose  soft,  as  I  silently  gaz'd 

On  the  shadowy  wave's  playful  motion, 
From  the  dim  distant  hill,  till  thebeacon-Hre  blaz'd 

Like  a  star — in  the  midst  of  the  ocean. 
No  longer  the  joy  of  the  sailor  boy's  breast 

Was  heard  in  his  wildly  breath'd  numbers, 
The  sea-bird — had  flown  to  her  um'e-girdled  nest. 

The  fisherman — sunk  to  his  slumbers. 
One  moment  I  look'd — from  the  hill's  gentle  slope. 

All  hush'd — was  the  billow's  commotion, 
And  thought — that  the  beacon  look'd  lovely  as  hope, 

That  star — on  life's  tremulous  ocean. 
The  time — is  long  past,  and  the  scene — is  afar, 

Yet,  when  my  head — rests  on  its  pillow, 
Will  memory — sometimes — rekindle  the  star 

That  blazed — on  the  breast  of  the  billow. 
In  life's  closing  hour,  when  the  trembling  send  flies, 

And  death — stills  the  hearts — last  emotion, 
O  then — may  the  seraph  of  mercy  arise! 

Like  a  star — on  'Eternity's  ocean. 


90 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


255.  The  exclamation  Point  (!)  indicates 
about  the  same  length  of  silence,  as  the  In- 
terrogation: but  the  slide  of  the  voice,  is  gen- 
erally downward,  from  the  Gth  or  Sth  note, 
because  there  is  a  kind  of  an  outflowing,  and 
then  an  indruwing  of  the  mind, — an  inflow- 
ing of  the  affections,  that  give  rise  to  this  man- 
ifestation. 1.  What  a  beautiful  Lake!  2.  How 
delightful  the  music  is !  3.  What  a  splendid 
piece  of  workmanship  !  4.  How  charming 
is  the  prospect !  5.  What  a  majestic  scene  ! 

6.  How  inimitable  those  strains  are!  7. 
What  a  piece  of  work  is  man  !  8.  How  glo- 
rious are  all  the  works  of  God!  9.  What 
splendid  views  of  heaven  !  10.  How  majes- 
tically— the  Sun — wheels  his  mighty  round  ! 

356.  Examples  of  Exclamation.  1.  Fa- 
thers! Senators  of  Rome!  the  arbiters  of  na- 
tions !  to  you  I  fly  for  refuge  !  2.  Eternity  ! 
thou  pleasing,  dreadful  thought !  3.  Behold 
the  daughter  of  innocence !  what  a  look ! 
what  beauty!  what  sweetness!  4.  Behold 
— a  great,  a  good  man  !  what  majesty  !  how 
graceful!  how  commanding !  5.  Opener- 
able  shade  !  0,  illustrious  hero  !  6.  Fare- 
well !  a  long  fareweU — to  all  my  greatness  ! 

7.  It  stands — solid  and  entire  !  but  it  stands 
alone — and  it  stands  amidst  ruins !  8.  I  am 
stripped  of  all  my  hotwr  !  I  lie  prostrate  on 
the  earth  !  9.  Leave  me !  oh !  leave  me  to 
repose!  10.  Hear  me,  0  Lord!  for  thy  lov- 
ing kindness  is  great ! 

257.  Natural  Theology.  From  the  ex- 
ternal a.ndi?iternal  evidences  afforded  us,  from 
creation,  and  the  modes  of  existence,  we  as- 
sume, that  man — is  naturally  a  religious  be- 
ing: the  stamp  of  the  Deity  is  upon  him 
even  before  his  birth ;  and  in  every  subse- 
quent stage  of  his  existence,  no  matter  what 
may  be  his  social,  moral  or  civil  condition, 
that  stamp — remains  with  him.  It  is  not  to 
be  found  on  the  Jew  and  Christian  only,  but 
on  all  men,  in  all  ages,  climes,  and  conditimis 
of  life. 

Anecdote.    A    Lawyer   and   Physician, 
having  a  dispute  about  precedence,  referred 
the  case  to  Di-og-e-nes,  the  old  philosopher ; 
who  gave  judgment  in  favor  of  the  Lawyer, 
in  these  words :  "  Let  the  thief  go  before,  and 
let  the  executioner  follow  after." 
The  rill — is  tuneless — to  his  ear,  who  feels 
No  harmony  within;  the  south  wind — steals 
As  silent — as  unseen — among  the  leaves. 
Who  has  no  inward  beauty,  none  perceives, 
Though  all  around  is  beautiful.     Nay,  more — 
In  nature's  calmest  hour — he  hears  the  roar 
Of  winds,  and  flinging  ivaves — put  out  the  light, 
When  high — and  angry  passions  meet  in  fight; 
And,  his  own  spirit  into  tumult  hurled, 
He  makes  a  turmoil — of  a  quiet  world  : 
The  jienrls  of  his  own  bosom — people  air 
With  kindred  fiends,  that  hunt  him — to  despair. 
Not  rural  sights  alone — but  rural  sounds 
Exhilarate  the  spirits. 


Proverbs.  1.  Great  designs,  and  small 
means— have  been  the  ruin  of  many.  2.  He,  is 
a  slave  to  the  greatest  slave,  who  serves  none  but 
himself.  3.  Correct  the  errors  of  others,  when  you 
can,  and  inspire  them  with  the  love  of  goodness 
and  truth.  4.  It  is  the  act  of  a  base  mind,  to  de- 
ceive, by  telling  a  lie.  5.  Liberality — consists  less 
in  giving  profusely,  than  in  giving  judiciously.  6. 
The  head  anil  feet  cool ;  the  rest  will  take  little  harm 
7.  We  know  well,  only  what  has  cost  us  trouble  to 
learn.  8.  "  Haste  not,  rest  not ;"  was  the  motto  on 
Goethe's  ring.  9.  Keep  your  thoughts — close,  and 
your  coun-tenace — open,  and  you  may  go  safely 
through  the  world.  10.  With  the  humble,  there  is 
perpetual  peace.  11.  Long  is  the  arm  of  the  needy. 
12.  Poverty  is  an  evil  counsellor.  13.  Delay — often 
makes  one  wise. 

War  and  Truth.  A  wise  minister  would 
rather  preserve  peace,  than  gain  a  victory  ; 
because  he  knows  that  even  the  most  success- 
ful war  leaves  a  nation  poor,  and  always  more 
profligate,  than  before  it.  There  are  real  evils 
that  cannot  be  brought  into  a  list  of  indemni- 
ties, and  the  demoralizing  influence  of  war  is 
not  among  the  least  of  them.  The  triumphs 
of  truth  are  the  more  glorious,  chiefly,  be- 
cause they  are  the  most  bloodless  of  all  victo- 
ries, deriving  their  highest  lustre  from  the 
saved,  not  from  the  slain. 

"Varieties.  1.  It  is  the  nature  of  truth, 
— never  to  force.  2.  Is  not  the  science  of 
human  nature,  very  comprehensive,  as  well 
as  complicated  and  profound?  3.  How  can 
the  mere  knowledge  of  historical  events — 
avail  to  the  salvation  of  the  soul?  4.  What 
is  meant  by  the  martyr  Stephen,  seeing  the 
heavens  opened  ;  and,  John's  being  in  the 
spirit,  on  the  Lord's  day  ?  5.  To  see  spirit- 
ual existences,  must  not  the  eyes  of  the  un- 
derstanding be  opened  1  6.  There  is  but 
one  law  in  being,  which  the  Lord  fulfilled, 
and  went  through,  in  the  world :  He  passed 
through  the  whole  circle — of  both  spiritual 
and  natural  order,  and  assumed  all  states, 
possible  for  man  to  be  in,  when  in  progression 
from  the  state  of  nature, — to  that  of  perfect 
grace  ;  and  by  virtue  thereof,  can  touch  us — 
in  all  states  of  trial,  we  can  possibly  be  in. 

'Tis  the  quiet  hour — of  feeling, 
Now — the  busy  day  is  past, 

And  the  twilight  sliadows — stealing, 
O'er  the  world — their  mantle  cast  ; 

Now,  the  spirit,  worn  and  saddened, 
Which  the  cares  of  day  had  bowed, 

By  its  gentle  influence — gladdened, 
Forth  emerges  from  the  cloud; 

While,  on  Memory's  magic  pages, 
Rise  our  long  lost  joys  to  light, 

Like  shadowy  forms — of  other  ages, 
From  the  oblivious  breast  of  night; 

And  the  loved — and  lost — revisit 
Our  fond  hearts,  their  place  of  yore, 

Till  we  long  with  them  to  inherit 
Realms  above — to  part — no  more. 
The  patient  mind,  by  yielding,  overcomes. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


91 


858.  The  Parenthesis  ( — )  shows,  that  the 
words  included  within  it,  must  be  read,  or 
spoken,  on  a  lower  pitch,  and  with  a  quicker 
movement,  than  the  other  parts  of  the  sen- 
tence ;  as  though  anxious  to  get  through  with 
the  explanation,  or  illustrative  matter — con- 
tained in  it;  and  the  parenthetical  clause, 
generally,  has  the  same  slide,  or  inflexion  of 
voice,  as  the  last  word  of  the  sentence,  imme- 
diately preceding  it.  1.  An  honest  man, 
(says  Mr.  Pope,)  is  the  noblest  work  of  God. 
2.  Pride,  (as  the  Scripture  saith,)  was  not 
made  for  man.  3.  The  Tyrians  were  the 
first,  (if  we  are  to  believe — what  is  told  us  by- 
writers  of  the  highest  authority,)  who  learned 
the  art  of  navigation.  4.  Know  ye  not, 
brethren,  (for  I  speak  to  them  that  know  the 
law,)  how  that  the  law — hath  dominion  over 
a  man — as  long  as  he  liveth  ? 

259.  That  strong,  hyperbolical  manner, 
which  wre  have  long  been  accustomed  to  call 
the  Oriental  style  of  poetry,  (because  some 
of  the  earliest  poetical  productions — came  to 
us  from  the  East,)  is,  in  truth,  no  more  Ori- 
ental, than  Oc-ci-den-tal ;  it  is  characteristic 
of  an  age,  rather  than  of  a  country,  and  be- 
longs, in  some  manner,  to  all  nations,  at  that 
period,  which  gave  rise  to  m  usic  and  song. 

260.  Minehalogt — treats  of  minerals; 
their  properties,  composition,  classification, 
and  uses.  A  mineral — is  an  organic  natural 
substance,  either  gaseous,  as  air ;  liquid,  as 
water;  or  solid,  as  earth  and  stones :  it  is  in- 
separably connected  with  Gkology,  which 
treats  of  the  structure  of  the  earth,  and  the 
masses  that  compose  it ;  also,  of  the  changes 
it  has  undergone,  and  to  which  it  is  still  ex- 
posed ;  while  its  practical  importance  is  re- 
cognized in  Agriculture,  Mining,  and  En- 
gineering, it  ranks  with  Botany  and  Chemis- 
try in  its  recondite  developments,  and  with 
Astronomy — in  the  sublimity  of  its  themes 
and  results,  as  one  of  the  most  profound  and 
interesting  of  the  sciences. 

Anecdote.  Fashion's  Sake.  Lord  Mans- 
field, being  willing  to  save  a  man,  who  had 
stolen  a  watch,  directed  the  jury — to  bring  it 
in  value — ten  pence.  "  Ten  pence,  my  Lord !" 
said  the  prosecutor  ;  "  why,  the  very  fashion 
of  it  cost  fifty  shillings.''''  His  lordship  re- 
plied, "  Perhaps  so ;  but  we  cannot  hang  a 
man  fox  fashion's  sake." 

I  venerate — the  pilgrim's  cause, 

Yet,  for  the  red  man — dare  to  plead : 

We — bow  to  Heaven's  recorded  laws, 
He — turn'd  to  Nature — for  a  creed ; 

Beneath  the  pillar'd  dome, 
We — seek  our  God  in  prayer; 

Through  boundless  woods — he  loved  to  roam, 
And  the  Great  Spirit — worshiped  there. 
But  one,  one  fellow-throb  with  tis  he  felt; 
To  one  Divinity — with  us  he  knelt — 
Freedom!  the  self-same  freedom — we  adore, 
Bade  him — defend  his  violated  shore. 


Proverbs.  1.  Discord — reduces  strength — to 
weakness.  2.  No  sweet,  without  some  siveat:  no 
pains,  without  some  gains.  3.  Whatever  you  do, 
do  it  to  some  purpose;  whether  conquering,  or 
conquered.  4.  We  are  inclined  to  believe  those  we 
do  not  know,  because  they  have  never  deceived  us. 
5.  Gentleness — often  disarms  the  fierce,  and  melts 
the  stubborn.  C.  Stake  even  life,  if  necessary,  in 
the  support  of  truth.  7.  Listen — to  the  voice  of 
experimental  truth,  and  confide — in  her  opinion. 
8.  A  good  appetite — gives  relish  to  the  most  hum- 
ble fare.  9.  There  is  no  secret  in  the  heart,  that 
our  actions  do  not  disclose.  10.  Where  there  is  a 
will,  there  is  a  way.  11.  True  valor — is  fire; 
boasting — is  smoke. 

The  Telescope.  A  spectacle-maker's  boy, 
amusing  himself  in  his  father's  shop,  by  hold- 
ing two  glasses  between  his  finger  and  thumb, 
and  varying  the  distance,  the  weathercock  of 
the  church  spire,  (opposite  them,)  seemed 
to  be  much  longer  than  ordinary,  and  appa- 
rently much  nearer,  and  turned  upside  down. 
This  excited  the  wonder  of  the  father,  and  led 
him  to  additional  experiments;  and  thence 
resulted  that  astonishing  instrument,  the  tel- 
escope, as  invented  by  Gal-i-/e-o,  and  per- 
fected by  Herschell.  This  is  only  one  instance, 
among  thousands,  that  show  great  effects  may 
result  from  small  causes. 

Varieties.  1.  Is  not  prejudice  —  invete- 
rate, in  proportion  to  its  irrationality?  2. 
The  most  delicate,  and  the  most  sensible,  of 
all  pleasures — consists  in  promoting  the  hap- 
piness of  others.  3.  Wit — sparkles  as  a  me- 
teor, and  like  it,  is  transient ;  but  genius  — 
shines  like  a  splendid  luminary,  marking 
its  course  in  traces  that  are  immortal. 
4.  Men  can  have  no  principles,  unless  they 
are  revealed  to  them  by  Deity.  5.  Is  there 
anything  that  melts — and  conquers  —  like 
love?  6.  Confessing  a  folly,  or  crime,  is 
an  act  of  judgment:  a  compliment — we 
rarely  pass  on  ourselves.  7.  Spiritual  truth, 
is  the  light  of  heaven :  the  good — proper  to  it, 
is  the  heat,  or  love  thereof;  to  be  filled  with 
both,  is  the  perfection  of  life,  and  true  salva- 
tion; conferable,  only,  by  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  the  giver  of  eternal  life,  and  our  Re- 
deemer and  Savior. 

Besides.sc/iooi-friendships  are  not  always  to  be  found 
Though  fair  in  promise,  permanent  and  sound; 
The  most  disint'rested  and  virtuous  minds, 
In  early  years  connected,  time  unbinds  : 
New  situations — give  a  different  cast 
Of  habit,  inclination,  temper,  taste; 
And  he,  that  seem'd  our  counterpart  ai  first, 
Soon  shows  the  strong  similitude  revers'd. 
Yoxmgheads  are  giddy,  and  yoanghearts  are  warm, 
And  make  mistakes — for  manhood  to  reform. 
Boys  are  at  best,  but  pretty  buds  unblown,  [known; 
Whose  scent  and  hues — are  rather  guess'd  than 
Each — dreams  that  each — is  just  what  he  appears, 
But  learns  his  error — in  maturer  years, 
When  disposition,  like  a  sail  unfurl'd, 
Shows  all  its  rents  and  patches  to  the  world. 


92 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


361.  The  Rhetorical  Pause — is  dictated 
by  the  thought  and  feeling,  and  is  usually 
addressed  only  to  the  ear  ;  it  is  here  indicated 
generally,  by  a  dash  ( — ,)  and  its  length — 
must  be  determined  by  the  subject,  and  occa- 
sion; it  is  usually,  however,  about  the  length 
of  a  Semicolon,  or  Colon:  and  one  thing 
must  be  distinctly  observed,  that  the  reader 
and  speaker — is  always  to  inhale  breath — at 
every  Rhetorical  Pause,  and  generally,  at 
each  Grammatical  Pause ;  if  the  system  be  re- 
laxed, inhalation  will  be  almost  sure  to  take 
place.  Indeed,  one  of  the  great  secrets  of 
reading,  speaking  and  singing — for  hours  in 
succession,  with  effect,  and  without  injurious 
exhaustion,  consists  in  the  proper  manage- 
ment of  the  breath:  not  that  there  should  be 
anything  stiff  and  mechanical  in  the  act ;  for 
all  must  be  the  result  of  the  perfect  freedom 
of  nature. 

262.  The  Rhetorical  Pause  always  occurs 
either  before  or  after — the  important  word, 
or  words,  of  a  sentence :  if  the  significant 
word  or  phrase,  is  at  the  beginning,  this 
pause  is  made  immediately  after  it ;  but  if 
such  word  or  phrase,  is  at  the  end  of  the 
sentence,  the  pause  occurs  before  it.  The 
design  of  the  pause  is,  in  the  first  instance, 
to  produce  a  retrospection  of  mind ;  and  in 
the  second,  to  excite  attention  and  expecta- 
tion. Ex.  1.  Industry — is  the  guardian  of 
innocence.  2.  Imagery — is  the  garb  of  poe- 
try. 3.  To  err — is  human  ,■  to  forgive — Di- 
vine. 4.  Prosperity — gains  friends  ;  adver- 
sity—  tries  them.  5.  Feelings  —  generate 
thoughts;  and  thoughts — reciprocate  feel- 
ings. 6.  Vanity — is  pleased  with  admira- 
tion ;  Pride — with  self-esteem.  7.  Dancing 
— is  the  poetry  of  motion.  8.  Some — place 
the  bliss  in  actio?! ;  some — in  ease ;  Those 
call  it  pleasure;  and  contentment,  these.  9. 
To  hope  for  perfect  happiness — is  vain.  10. 
And  now — abideth  Faith,  Hope,  Charity ; 
these  three ;  but  the  greatest  of  these  is — 
Charity. 

263.  Individuals  of  both  sexes,  often  com- 
plain of  a  very  unpleasant  sensation  at  the 
pit  of  the  stomach;  some  call  it  a"  death-like 
feeling;"  others  speak  of  it  as  if  "  the  bottom 
had  fallen  out :"  one  of  the  principal  causes  is 
a  want  of  the  proper  action  of  the  breathing 
apparatus:  the  abdominal  and  dorsal  mus- 
cles become  relaxed,  by  wrong  positions  and 
want  of  appropriate  exercise  and  food ;  when 
their  contents  fall  by  their  own  weight,  and 
the  diaphragm  docs  not,  consequently,  act  in 
a  healthy  manner.  The  remedy  is  a  return 
to  the  laws  of  life  and  being,  as  here  exhi- 
bited. 

Conscience — distasteful  truths  may  tell, 
But  mark  her  sacred  dictate — well ; 
Whoever — with  her — lives  at  strife, 
Loses  their  better  friend — for  life. 


Proverbs.  1.  Pride — is  the  offspring  of/oMi/, 
and  the  plague  of  fools.  2.  A  bad  man's  dislike, 
is  an  honor.  3  The  censure — of  some  persons — 
is  praise;  and  their  praise,  is  condemnation — in 
the  eyes  of  the  world.  4.  It  is  a  base  thing — to  lie ; 
truth — alone,  becomes  the  ingenuous  mind.  5. 
Riches — either  serve  or  ride,  every  one  who  posses- 
ses them ;  and  thus,  they  are  either  blessings,  or 
curses.  6.  In  cases  where  doubt  exists,  always 
lean  to  the  side  of  mercy.  7.  Poets — are  bom  such  ; 
orators — are  made  such.  8.  Malice — is  a  mean, 
and  deceitful  engine  of  mischief.  9.  Nature — is 
superior  to  Art :  have  faith,  in  her,  and  success  is 
yours.  10.  All  rules  and  principles,  to  be  of  use, 
must  be  understood,  and  practiced.  11.  The  offen- 
der— rarely  pardons.  12.  Might  too  often  makes 
right.    13.  Truth  has  a  good  basis. 

Anecdote.  When  the  painter,  Leo-na?-- 
di  da  Vinci,  lay  upon  his  death-bed,  the  king 
came  to  see  him ;  and  out  of  respect,  he  rais- 
ed himself  from  the  pilloio  ;  but  the  effort 
being  too  great,  he  fell  back ;  when  the  king 
caught  him,  and  he  expired  in  his  arms. 
The  king  was  much  affected  with  the  event, 
and  left  the  chamber  in  tears  ;  when  his  no- 
bles— endeavored  to  soothe  him,  saying, — 
"  Consider,  he  was  only  a  painter."  "  Yes, 
yes,"  replied  the  monarch,"  I  do;  and  though 
I  could  make  a  thousand — such  as  you,  yet 
God  alone  can  make  such  a  painter,  as  Leo- 
nardi." 

Justice.  How  many  tedious  and  ruinous 
law-suits — might  have  been  avoided,  had  the 
parties  concerned — patiently  examined  the 
facts,  with  coolness  and  deliberation;  in- 
stead of  giving  way  to  the  blindness  of  inter- 
est and  to  passion,  by  which  mutual  hatreds 
have  been  generated,  or  blood  spilled, — when 
a  generous  search  after  truth,  and  a  love  of 
justice — would  have  prevented  all  the  evil. 

Varieties.  1.  What  is  requisite — for  the 
right  formation  of  character  ?  2.  The  time 
disciples  of  nature — are  regardless  who  ac- 
companies them,  provided  she  be  the  leader  : 
for  nature,  like  truth,  is  immutable.  3. 
There  is  no  pride — equal  to  theirs,  who  rise 
from  poverty — to  riclies ;  for  some — have 
even  forgotten  their  own  relations.  4.  That 
form  of  government  is  best,  which  is  best 
adapted  to  the  state  of  the  people,  and  best 
administered.  5.  Cyrus,  when  young,  be- 
ing asked — what  was  the  first  thing  to  be 
learned;  replied, — To  speak  the  truth.  6. 
The  orator's  field — is  the  universe  of  mm  I 
— and  matter  :  and  his  subjects — all  that  is 
— and  can  be  known — of  God — and  man. 
7.  Every  aspiration,  desire,  and  thought — is 
heard  and  accepted — in  heaven,  when  we  sur- 
render our  whole  life  to  the  Lord's  govern- 
ment and  providence. 

Gather  the  rose-buds — while  ye  may, 

Old  Time — is  still  a-flying ; 
And  that  same,  flower,  that  blooms  to-day, 
To-morrow,  —shall  be  dying. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


93 


264.  Miscellaneous  Examples  of  all 
the  Pauses.  The  pupil  must  not  rely  too 
much  on  these  eaVcrftaZnidications  of  silence  ; 
for  they  are  only  general  rules  :  hence  the 
necessity  of  being  governed  by  the  prompt- 
ings and  guidance  of  his  own  feelings  and 
thoughts,  after  bringing  them  in  subjection 
to  goodness  and  truth  ;  of  which  reason — 
always  approves.  1.  The  ostestatious ,  fee- 
ble, harsh,  or  obscure  style,  is  always  faulty; 
and  perspicuity,  strength,  neatness,  and  sim- 
plicity— are  beauties — ever  to  be   aimed    at. 

2.  Be  wise  to-day,  'tis  madness  to  defer ; 
next  day — 'the  fatal  precedent  will  plead. 
Thus  on,  till  wisdom — is  pushed  out  of  life. 

3.  How  noble  'tis,  to  own  a  fault ;  how  ge- 
nerous,— and  divine — to  forgive  it !  4.  Who 
can  forbear  to  smile  with  nature  ?  Can  the 
stormy  pass  ions — in  the  bosom  roll,  while  eve- 
ry gale — is  peace,  and  ev'ry  grove — is  melody  '. 

265.  1.  The  evidence — that  truth  carries 
with  it,  is  superior  to  all  argument,  and  mira- 
cles :  and  it  wants  neither  the  support,  nor 
dreads  the  opposition,  of  the  greatest  abil- 
ities. 2.  True  modesty  is  ashamed  to  do 
what  is  repugnant  to  reason,  and  common 
se?tse  ;  false  modesty — to  do  what  is  oppos- 
ed to  the  humor  of  the  company  ;  true  mo- 
desty avoids  whatever  is  criminal  ;  false 
modesty — whatever  is  imfashiotiable.  3. 
Some — live  within  their  means  ;  some  live  up 
to  their  means — and  some — live  beyond  their 
means.  4.  "  To  what  party  do  you  be- 
long?" said  a  noisy  politician,  to  one  whose 
soul — grasped  the  interests  of  his  whole  coun- 
try. "  To  what  party  do  I  belong  V  replied 
the  patriot;  "I  belong  to  no  parly,  but  my 
country^s  party." 

Punctuate  the  following,  by  reading  it  correctly. 
There  is  a  lady  in  this  land 
Has  twenty  fingers  on  each  hand 
Five  and  twenty  on  hands  and  feet 
All  this  is  true  without  deceit. 
366.    Botany  —  treats   of  plants — their 
structure,  growth,  classification,  description, 
localities  and  uses.     They  are  organized  bo- 
dies, and  endowed  with  life;  but  they  dif- 
fer from   animals,  in  wanting  sensation  and 
voluntary  motion  :  they  differ  from  minerals, 
in  possessing  life ;  and  they  contain  organs, 
by  which  they  assimilate  new  matter  to  in- 
crease their  substa?ice,  and    promote    their 
growth.     The  study  of  botany  is  highly  in- 
teresting and  useful ;  not  only  on  account 
of  the  beauty  and  variety  of  plants,  but  of  the 
important  purposes  to  which  they  may  be 
applied  in  sustaining  life  and  curing  disease: 
it  is  necessary  to  aid  in  the  development  of 
body  and  mind. 

Anecdote.  One  day,  when  the  moon 
was  under  an  eclipse,  she  complained  thus 
to  the  sun  for  the  discontinuance  of  his  fa- 
vor; "My dearest  friend,"  said  she,  "why  do 
yon  not  shine  upon  me  as  you  used  to  do  ?" 
"Z)oI  not  shine  upon  thee  ?"  said  the  sun  ; 
"  I  am  very  sure  I  intend  it."  "  O  no,"  re- 
plied the  moon  :  "  but  now  I  see  the  reason; 
that  dirty  planet,  the  earth,  has  got  between 


Proverbs.  1.  By  deferring  our  repentance — 
we  accumulate  our  sorrows.  'J.  Complaisance — 
renders  a  superior — amiable,  an  equal — agreea- 
ble, and  an  inferior — acceptable.  3.  A  wound  giv- 
en by  a  word,  is  often  harder  to  be  cured,  than  one. 
made  by  the  sword.  4.  The  human  form  is  the 
noblest,  and  most  perfect,  of  which  we  can  con- 
ceive. 5.  Intentions,  as  well  as  actions,  must  be 
good,  to  be  acceptable.  6.  [Every  scene  in  life,  is  a 
picture ;  of  which  some  part  is  worthy  of  atten- 
tion. 7.  Receive  instruction  with  gratitude.  S.  To 
such  as  are  opposed  to  truth,  it  seems  harsh  and 
severe.  9.  Never  reproach  another  for  doing  wrong; 
unless  you  are  sure  he  has  done  it.  10.  Knowledge, 
to  be  a  good  thing,  must  be  rightly  applied.  11.  Re- 
plies— are  not  always  answers.  12.  A  chaste  eye 
— banishes  evil  desires.  13.  Respect  and  contempt, 
spoil  many  a  one. 

Refinement.  It  is  a  doubt,  whether  the 
refinements  of  modern  times  have,  or  have 
not,  been  a  drawback  upon  our  happiness: 
for  plainness  and  simplicity  of  manners  have 
given  way  to  etiquette,  formality,  and  de- 
ceit; whilst  the  ancient  hospitality  has  now 
almost  deserted  our  land  ;  and  what  we  ap- 
pear to  have  gained  in  head,  we  seem  to 
have  lost  in  heart. 

"Varieties.    1.   What  is  the  difference  be- 
tween the  internal  and  external  man  ?  be- 
tween an  twternal  and  external  state  of  mind  ? 
2.  Love   to  God  and  love  to  man, — is   the 
life  and  soul,  of  all  sound  philosophy ;  con- 
sequently, no  one  can  become  a  philosopher, 
who   is   not    a   good   man.    3.  Hiches,   and 
cares,  are  generally  inseparable;  and  whoever 
would  get  rid  of  one,  must  become  divested 
of  the  other.     4.  The  acquirement  of  useful 
knowledge, — is  often    difficult  and   trouble- 
some ;  but  perseverance — will  reward  us  for 
our  toil.     5.   If  we  regard  our  present  views 
— as   an    infallible  test   of  truth,  whatever 
does  not  conform  to  them,  we   set  down  as 
false,  and  reject  it.     6.  Ignorance  of  a  fact 
— may  excuse;  but  not  ignorance  of  the  law 
— which  every  one    is    supposed  to  be  ac- 
quainted with.     7.  Man's  will,  and   under- 
standing,— are  receptacles  of    life,  not    life 
itself;  as  is  the  reception,  such  is  the  persua- 
sion, faith,  wisdom,  light,  and  love. 
I  care  not,  Fortune!  what  you  me  deny  ; 
You  cannot  rob  me  of  free  nature's  grace; 
You  cannot  shut  the  windows  of  the  sky, 
Thro'  which  Aurora  shows  her  bright'ning  face  : 
You  cannot  bar  my  constant  feet — to  trace 
The  wood  and  lawns,  by  living  stream  at  eve  : 
Let  health  my  nerves  and  finer  fibres  brace, 
And  I  their  toys — to  the  great  children  leave  : 
Of  fancy,  reason,  virtue — nought  can  me  bereave. 
Another  day — is  added  to  the  mass 
Of  buried  ages.    Lo  !  the  beauteous  moon, 
Like  a  fair  shepherdess,  now  comes  abroad, 
With  her  full  flock  of  stars,  that  roam  around 
The  azure  meads  of  heaven.  And  O  how  charmed. 
Beneath  her  loveliness,  creation  looks  ! 
Far-gleaming  hills,  and  light-inweaving  slreamt, 
And  sleeping  boughs,  with  dewy  lustre  clothed, 
And  green-haired  valleys— all  in  glory  dressed,— 
Make  up  the  pageantry  of  night. 


94 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


•.367.  Delivery  and  Painting.  There 
is  a  striking  analogy  or  correspondence,  be- 
tween painting  and  delivery.  We  have,  what 
are  called,  seven  primary  colors,  and  seven 
pitches  of  sound — though  strictly  speaking, 
but  three  of  each.  Letters  are  like  compound- 
ed paints;  words  like  paints,  prepared ior  use; 
and,  when  these  words  are  arranged  into  pro- 
per sentences,  they  form  pictures  on  the 
canvas  of  the  imagination.  Let  the  follow- 
ing beautiful  landscape  be  sketched  out  in 
the  mind  :  "  On  a  mountain,  (stretched  be- 
neath a  hoary  willow)  lay  a  shepherd  swain, 
— and  view'd  the  rolling  billow."  Now 
review  it;  and  see  every  thing  as  it  is — the 
mountain  covered  with  trees  ;  the  shepherd, 
reclining  under  the  willow  tree,  with  his 
flock  near  by,  some  feeding,  and  some  lying 
down;  and  what  is  he  doing  ?  Looking  out 
upon  the  ocean,  covered  with  pleasure  boats, 
vessels,  &,c.  In  this  way,  you  may  behold, 
with  the  mind's  eye,  (for  the  mind  has  its 
eye,  as  well  as  the  body,)  the  ideas  of  the  au- 
thor ;  and  then  picture  out  whatever  you 
hear  and  read,  and  give  to  it  life,  habitation, 
and  a  name;  thus  you  will  see  the  thoughts, 
receive  the  light,  and  catch,  or  draw  out  their 
latent  heat;  and  having  enlightened  and  warm- 
ed your  own  mind,  you  will  read  and  speak 
from  your  own  thoughts  and  feelings, — and 
transfer  the  living,  breathing  landscapes  of 
your  mind  to  otJiers,  and  leave  a  perfect 
daguerreotype  likeness  on  the  retina  of  their 
mind's  eye  :  you  feel  and  think,  and  there- 
fore speak  ;  and  thus  you  can  memorize,  so 
as  not  to  forget  :  for  you  will  have  it  by 
heart. 

268.  La  Fayfette.  I  see  the  marshals 
of  Napoleon  (gorged  with  the  plunder  of  Eu- 
rope, and  stained  with  its  blood)  borne  on  their 
flashing  chariot-wheels — through  the  streets 
of  Paris.  I  see  the  ministers  of  Napoleon 
filling  the  highest  posts  of  trust  and  honor — 
under  Louis  the  XVIII. ;  and  I  see  the  friend 
of  Washington,  (La  Fayette,)  glorious  in  his 
noble  poverty,  looking  down  from  the  calm 
and  placid  height  of  his  consistency  and  his 
principles, — on  their  paltry  ambition,  and  its 
more  paltry  rewards. 

Anecdote.  Mea7is  of  Happiness.  Socra- 
tes, when  asked  his  opinion  of  the  king  of 
Persia,  and  whether  he  judged  him  happy, — 
replied,  "  he  could  not  tell  what  to  think 
of  him  ;  because,  he  knew  not  how  much  he 

was  furnished  with  virtue  and  learning.''' 

Magic,  wonder-beaming  eye  ; 
In  thy  narrow  circle — lie 
All  our  varied  hopes — unit  fears, 
Sportive  smiles — and  graceful  tears; 
Eager  wishes, — wild  alarms, 
Rapid  feelings, — potent  charms, 
Wit  and  genius,  taste  and  sense, 
Shed  through  thee — their  influence. 

When  lovers  meet — in  adverse  hour, 

Tislike  the  sun-glimpse — through  the  shower, 

A  watery  ray — an  instant  seen, 

The  darkly  changing  clouds — between. 


Proverbs.  1.  The  act — does  not  constitute 
guilt  in  the  eye  of  the  law  so  much  as  the  design.  2 
A  certain  degree  of  modesty  and  reserve,  in  young 
persons,  is  a  sure  passport  to  the  good  will  of  their 
superiors.  3.  The  diligent  and  industrious — ge- 
nerally prosper;  while  the  indolent — pine  in  want. 
4.  Keep  your  passions  in  subjection ;  for  unless 
they  obey  you,  they  will  govern  you.  5.  In  im- 
parting to  a  friend — a  knowledge  of  our  misfor- 
tunes, we  often  feel  them  lightened.  G.  The  body 
may  be  enslaved ;  but  no  human  power  can  con- 
trol the  mind,  without  its  consent.  7.  A  flowery 
path — is  not  that  which  conducts  us  to  glory.  8. 
Let  us  use,  not  abuse — the  good  things  of  life.  9. 
A  good  reputation — is  preferable  to  a  girdle  of  gold. 

10.  Ijofty  towers — tumble  with  a  tremendous  crash. 

11.  Dig  not  your  grave  with   the  teeth.    12.   April 
shoivers,  make  May  powers. 

Enjoyment.  When  I  walk  the  streets,  1 
use  the  following  natural  maxim,  viz.  that  he 
is  the  true  possessor  of  a  thing  who  enjoys  it, 
and  not  he  that  owns  it  without  the  enjoy- 
ment of  it ;  to  convince  myself  that  I  have  a 
property  in  the  gay  part  of  all  the  gilt  chari- 
ots that  I  meet,  which  I  regard  as  amuse- 
ments, designed  to  delight  my  eyes,  and  the 
imagination  of  those  kind  of  people,  who  sit 
in  them,  gaily  attired,  only  to  please  me.  1 
have  a  real.,  and  they  only  an  imaginary,  plea- 
sure from  their  exterior  embellishments. 
Upon  the  same  principle,  I  have  discovered 
that  I  am  the  natural  proprietor  of  all  the 
diamond  necklaces,  the  crosses,  stars,  bro- 
cades, and  embroidered  clothes,  which  I  see 
at  a  play  or  birth-night,  as  giving  more  natu- 
ral delight  to  the  spectator,  than  to  those  that 
wear  them.  And  I  look  on  the  beaux  and 
ladies,  as  so  many  paroquets  in  an  aviary,  or 
tulips  in  a  garden,  designed  purely  for  my 
diversion.  A  gallery  of  pictures,  a  cabinet, 
or  library,  that  I  have  free  access  to,  I  think 
my  own.  In  a  word,  all  that  I  desire  is  the 
use  of  things,  let  who  will  have  the  keep- 
ing of  them.  By  which  maxim  I  am  grown 
one  of  the  ricliesl  men  in  the  world  ;  with 
this  difference,  that  I  am  not  a  prey  to  my 
own  cares,  or  the  envy  of  others. 

Varieties,  i.  Can  we  be  responsible. 
without  being  endowed  whhfreedom,  and  ra- 
tionality? 2.  Perfect  freedom  is  the  birth- 
right of  man,  and  heaven  forbid  that  any  hu- 
man authority  should  infringe  upon  it ;  but 
in  the  exercise  of  this  right,  let  us  be  humble 
and  discreet,  and  never  do  wrong.  3.  If  the 
roots  be  left,  the  grass  will  grow  again.  4. 
Brutes — have  a  language  peculiar  to  them- 
selves ;  so  have  deaf  and  dumb  persons.  5. 
There  are  merchant's — with  the  sentiments, 
and  abilities,  of  statesmen;  and  there  are  per- 
sons in  the  ranks  of  statesmen,  with  the  con- 
ceptions and  characters  of  pedlars.  6.  The 
natural  world  is  a  world  of  dreams;  for  no- 
thing is — as  it  appears  ;  but  the  spiritual 
world — is  a  world  of  realities,  where  we  shall 
see  as  we  are  seen,  and  know — as  we  are 
known.  7.  The  granary— of  all  heavenly 
seed,  is  the  Word  of  God;  the  ground — is 
our  will,  in  which  that  seed  must  be  sown. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


95 


869.  This  Word  -  Painting,  being  a  sub- 
ject of  such  great  importance,  and  one  that 
is  inseparably  connected  with  emphasis,  we 
will  dwell  upon  it  a  little  longer,  and  apply 
it  practically;  for — unless  we  get  into  the  in- 
ternals of  the  subject,  all  our  efforts  will  be 
nearly  unavailing.  A  very  good  way  to 
perfect  ourself  in  this  style  of  painting,  is — to 
close  the  eyes,  after  having  memorized  the 
words,  (or  get  some  one  to  read  them  delibe- 
rately,) and  infix  the  thoughts  and  feelings 
of  the  author  in  the  mind,  and  let  there  be  a 
commingling  of  them  with  your  own,  in  such 
a  way,  that  there  will  be  an  entire  re-produc- 
tion, and  re-formation  of  them, — a  new  crea- 
tion. The  effect  of  this  kind  of  exercise  on 
the  mind,  will  be  like  that  of  the  warm  sun, 
and  refreshing  rain,  in  developing  and  per- 
fecting vegetation. 

THUNDER  STORM  ON  THE   ALPS. 

Far  along 
From  peak  to  peak,  the  rattling  crags  among, 
Leaps  the  live  thunder  !  not  from  one  lone  cloud, 
But  every  mountain — now,  hath  found  a  tongue, 
And  Jura — answers  through  her  misty  shroud, 
Back  to  the  joyous  Alps,  who  called  aloud. 
Thy  spirit — Independence,— -let  me  share, 
Lord  of  the  lion  heart — and  eagle  eye  ! 
Thy  steps  I  follow,  with  my  bosom  bare, 
Nor  heed  the  storms  that  howl  across  the  sky. 

Tis  greatly  wise — to  talk  with  our  past  hours, 
And  ash  them — what  report — they  bore  to  heaven ; 
And  how  they  might  have  borne — more  welcome  news  ; 
Their  answers — form — what  men — experience  call. 

370.  Chemistry — treats  of  the  composi- 
tion of  all  material  substances,  their  sensible 
properties  and  relations,  and  the  effects  pro- 
duced upon  them — by  cohesion,  affinity,  light, 
heat,  and  electricity.  Its  study — reflects  light 
upon  all  these  effects,  and  is  subsidiary  to  the 
natural  and  medical  sciences:  indeed,  its  ap- 
plication extends  throughout  the  wider  range 
of  all  the  physical  arts;  and  hence,  ranks 
among  the  most  useful  of  the  sciences.  If  the 
fair  sex — would  understand  this  subject,  only 
so  far  as  it  relates  to  house-keeping,  they 
would  see,  that  there  is  no  necessity  of  hav- 
ing poor  soap,  or  bad  bread,  or  of  making 
other  mistakes  in  their  culinary  preparations. 

Anecdote.  Mad  Man.  A  man,  who  was 
apparently  more  of  a  wit — than  a  mad-man, 
but  who,  notwithstanding,  was  confined  in  a 
mad-house,  being  asked  how  he  came  there, 
answered — "Merely  a  dispute  of  words,-  I 
said  that  all  men  were  mad ;  and  all  said 
J  was  ma  1 ;  the  majority — carried  the  point, 
and  here  i  am" 

Walls  of  brass — resist  not 
A  noble  undertaking, — nor  can  vice — 
Raise  any  buhcark — to  make  good  a  place, 
Where  virtue — seeks  to  enter. 

Lovers  say,  the  heart — hath  treble  wrong, 
When  it  i3  barred — the  aidance  of  the  tongue. 


Proverbs.  1.  He,  whose  expenditure  is  more 
than  his  income,  must  be  poor;  but  he  that  receives 
more  than  he  spends,  must  be  rich.  2.  What 
some  speakers  fail  in,  as  to  depth,  they  make  up 
as  to  length.  3.  Money,  earned  with  little  labor,  is 
generally  spent  with  little  consideration.  4.  We 
often  lose  those  things  that  are  certain,  while  we 
pursue  others  that  are  doubtful.  5.  He,  who 
knows  nothing,  doubts  nothing.  6.  Many  per- 
sons feel  an  irreconcilable  enmity — towards  those 
whom  they  have  injured.  7.  Without  sweat  and 
labor,  no  work  is  perfected.  8.  Accumulated 
wealth — brings  care,  and  a  thirst  for  increasing 
riches.  9.  Whether  in  prosperity,  or  adversity, 
we  should  always  endeavor  to  preserve  equa- 
nimity. 10.  Do  not  grieve  for  that  which  is  irre- 
coverably lost.  11.  Use  soft  words,  and  hard 
arguments.     12.  A  full  purse  never  lacks  friends. 

Dissimulation.  Dissimulation  in  youth, 
is  the  forerunner  of  perfidy  in  old  age;  its 
first  appearance — is  the  fatal  omen  of  grow- 
ing depravity,  and  future  shame.  It  degrades 
parts  and  learning,  obscures  the  lustre  of 
every  accomplishment,  and  sinks  us  intocon- 
tempt.  The  path  of  falsehood  is  a  perplexing 
maze.  After  the  first  departure  from  sin- 
cerity, it  is  not  in  our  power  to  stop ;  one  ar- 
tifice unavoidably  leads  on  to  another ;  till, 
as  the  intricacy  of  the  labyrinth  increases,  we 
are  left  entangled  in  our  snare. 

VARIETIES. 

Pain — is  perfect  misery,  the  worst  of  evils; 

And  excessive,  overturns  all  patience. 

'Tis  base — to  change  with/or<une,  and  deny 

A  faithful  friend,  because  in  poverty. 

Who  lives  to  nature, — rarely  can  be  poor  ; 

Who  lives  to  fancy,  never  can  be  rich. 

Music — resembles  poetry  ;  in  each — 

Are  nameless  graces,  which  no  methods  teach, 

And  which  a  master's  hand  alone — can  reach. 

Bright-eyed  fancy — hovering  o'er, 

Scatters — from  her  pictured  urn, 

Thoughts — that  breathe,  and  words — that  burn. 

If  good — we  plant  not,  vice — will  fill  the  place, 

And  rankest  weeds — the  richest  soil — deface. 

But  the  good  man,  whose  soul  is  pure, 

Unspotted,  and  of  pardon — sure, 

Looks  thro'  the  darkness  of  the  gloomy  night, 

And  sees  the  dawning — of  a  glorious  light. 

Would  you  taste  the  tranquil  scene? 
Be  sure  your  bosom — be  serene  ; 
Devoid  of  hate,  devoid  of  strife, 
Devoid  of  all  that  poisons  life. 
And  mucA  it  'vails  you — in  their  place, 
To  graft  the  love — of  human  race. 
How  deep — yon  azure — dyes  the  sky, 
Where  orbs  of  gold — unnumbered  lie, 
While,  through  their  ranks,  in  silver  pride, 
The  nether  crescent — seems  to  glide  I 

Thou  sun,  said  I,  fair  light  I 
And  thou,  enlightened  earth,  so  fresh  and  gay  I 
lTe  hills  and  dales,  ye  rivers,  woods,  and  plains. 
And  ye  that  live,  and  move,  fair  creatures,  tell. 
Tell  if  you  can,  how  came  I  thus,  how  here  ? 


96 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION". 


271.  Rythm — poetical  measure,  or  verse; 
of  which  there  are  various  kinds.    Prose — is 
man's    natural    language,  which  is  rather 
loose  and  unconfined.    Poetry — originates  in 
the  affections,  prose  in  the  thoughts,  of  the 
human  mind ;  tho'  some  poems  are  occasion- 
ally prosaic,  and  some  prose — poetic :  feel- 
ing predominates  in  the  former, — thought, 
in  the  latter.     Our    rules  for  reading  and 
speaking  are  the  same,  whether  in  prose  or 
poetry :  for  in  all  cases,  the  manner  must  be 
adapted   to    the  matter,-  the  sound  to  the 
sense:  in  other  words,  the  mind's  perception 
and  feeling  of  the  matter,  must  dictate  the  ap- 
propriate manner ;  "  suit  the  action  to  the 
word,  the  word  to  the  action ;  and  o'erstep 
not  the  modesty  of  nature.'''' 
Yon  cloud  is  bright,  and  beautiful — it  floats 
Alone  in  God's  horizon;  on  its  edge 
The  stars  seem  hung  like  pearls  :  it  looks  as  pure 
As  'twere  an  angel's  shroud, — the  white  cymar 
Of  purity,  just  peeping  through  its  folds 
To  give  a  pitying  look — on  this  sad  world. 
Go  visit  it,  and  find,  that  all  is  false  ; 
Its  glories — are  but/on-,  and  its  white  form 
Is  plighted  to  some  coming  thunder-gust ; — 
The  rain,  the  wind,  the  lightning,  have  their  source 
In  such  bright  meetings.    Gaze  not  at  the  clouds, 
However  beautiful.     Gaze  at  the  sky, 
The  clear,  blue,  tranquil,  fixed,  and  glorious  sky. 

272.  Agriculture — is  the  art  of  cultiva- 
ting the  ground ;  it  includes,  also,  the  rear- 
ing and  management  of  domestic  animals; 
it  is  sometimes  called  Farndng,  and  Hus- 
bandry: and,  although  simple  in  its  opera- 
tions, it  derives  great  benefit  from  Machinery, 
— whence  it  takes  its  implements ;  from 
Chemistry, — whence  it  derives  a  knowledge 
of  soils,  and  the  means  of  fertilizing  them; 
from  Botany, — which  teaches  a  knowledge  of 
the  plants — to  be  cultivated  or  destroyed; 
and  from  Zoology — which  teaches  the  habits 
and  peculiarities  of  the  animals  it  rears,  and 
the  means  of  improving  them  for  use — and 
profit. 

Anecdote.  Kosciusko,  the  hero  of  Poland, 
wishing  to  make  a  present  to  a  Clergyman, 
sent  it  by  a  young  man,  and  desired  him  to 
take  the  horse,  which  he  himself  usually  rode. 
On  his  return,  the  young  man  said — he 
would  never  ride  his  horse  again,  unless  he 
gave  his  purse  at  the  same  time ;  for,  said  he, 
"as  soon  as  a  poor  man  on  the  road  takes  off 
his  hat,  and  asks  charity,  the  horse  immedi- 
ately stops,  and  will  not  stir,  till  something- 
is  given  the  petitioner;  and  as  I  had  but  lit- 
tle money  with  me,  I  was  obliged,  when  it 
was  gone,  to  feign  giving  something,  in  order 
to  satisfy  the  horse." 

Cursed  be  your  senate  ;  cursed  your  constitution ; 
The  curse  of  growing  factions — and  divisions — 
Still  vex  your  councils,  shake  your  public  safety, 
And  make  the  robes  of  government— you  wear, 
JIateful  to  you,  as  these  chains  are — to  me. 


Proverbs.  1.  Truth — is  but  another  name — for 
fact.  2.  There  is  a  mental,  as  well  as  civil  com- 
monwealth. 3.  The  end  of  learning,  is  usejul- 
ness, — not  reputation.  4.  Study  the  principles  of 
things, — as  well  as  their  uses.  5.  Common  sense 
— which  is  very  an-common,  is  the  best  sense 
in  the  world.  6.  JVo  one  can  hit  a  mark,  without 
aiming  at  it ;  and  skill  is  acquired,  by  repeated 
attempts.  7.  Never  do  anything  with  indifference; 
and  do  everything  as  perfectly  as  possible.  8. 
Never  cut  out  a  piece  of  a  newspaper,  till  you 
have  looked  on  the  other  side.  9.  In  prosperity, 
— prepare  for  a  change;  in  adversity,— Aope  for 
one.  10.  Haste — is  a  poor  apology  ;  take  time,  and 
do  your  work  well.  11.  Personal  effort— seldom 
fails  to  obtain  its  object.  12.  Some  people  never 
have  enough. 

Autumn.  It  was  a  glorious  day  in  au- 
tumn. The  sky,  of  unsullied  blue,  glowed 
like  a  sapphire.  The  universal  air — was  fill- 
ed with  stillness.  Not  a  breeze  whispered — 
not  a  bird  napped  its  wing.  It  was  the  tri- 
umph of  repose — when  the  undying  energies 
of  man — slumbered  for  a  moment, — when 
even  the  conflict  of  his  passions  was  suspend- 
ed. Beautiful,  melancholy  autumn  !  whose 
ruddy  ripeness — whispers  of  decay,-  whose 
richest  tints — mingle  with  the  "  sear  and  yel- 
low leaf,"  as  if  the  lusty  year — had  toiled 
through  youth  and  manhood  for  wealth, 
which  overflows,  just  when  waning  life — in- 
dicates, that  the  power  of  enjoyment — is  pass- 
ing away. 

Varieties.  1.  What  is  the  difference — 
between  reading  and  reflection  ?  2.  To  look 
away  from  principles,  and  see  only  their  ap- 
plication, tends  to  idolatry.  3.  Suspicion  is 
the  effect — of  the  association  of  ideas — mis- 
directed by  the  imagination;  it  never  exists 
— without  a  shade  of  insanity. 
Tho'  deep,  yet  clear ;  tho'  gentle,  yet  not  dull ; 
Strong,  without  rage, — without  o'erfloioing — full. 
5.  In  what  manner — is  uniformity  in  events 
— depending,  apparently,  on  contingent  cir- 
cumstances, to  be  accounted  for?  6.  Only 
by  appealing  to  first  principles — can  we  re- 
cover, or  maintain — the  spirit  and  essence, 
of  genuine  wisdom,  and  intelligence.  7  The 
greatest  degree — of  self-abasement,  if  real,  is 
the  nearest  approach  to  the  Divine  Presence. 
Nay,  shrink  not — from  the  word  "  Farewell," 
As  if 'twere  Friendship's  final  knell : 

Such  fears — may  prove  but  vain : 
So  changeful— is  life's  fleeting  day, 
Whene'er  we  sever,  Hope  may  say, 

We  part,  to  meet  again. 
Even  the  last  parting — earth  can  know, 
Brings  not  unutterable  wo 

To  souls,  that  heavenward  soar  ; 
For  humble  Faith,  with  steadfast  eye, 
Points  to  a  brighter  world  on  high, 
Where  hearts,  that  here — at  parting  sigh, 
May  meet, — to  part  no  more. 
Duties — are  ours /  consequences — are  God's. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


97 


373.  The  three  philosophical  divisions  of 
Poetry  (as  well  as  of  Prose)  in  relation  to  the 
mind,  are — RELIGIOUS,  having  reference 
to  the  supreme  Being,  and  what  is  above  us 
in  the  scale  of  creation ;  the  social  and  ci- 
vil, or  middle;  what  is  around  us,  and 
within,  relating  to  the  great  family  of  man: 
and  the  external,  which  refers,  principally,  to 
the  kingdom  of  Nature,  which  is  below  us ; 
viz.  the  animal,  vegetable,  and  mineral:  (do 
not  include  mankind  in  the  animal  king- 
dom; they  are  human;  it  is  sensualism 
which  has  degraded  man  to  rank  with  ani- 
mals.) The  common  divisions  of  Poetry  are 
— Pastoral,  Lyric,  Didactic,  Satire,  Sonnets, 
Descriptive,  Epic,  Tragic,  andComic;  to  which 
some  add,  Sacred,  Classic,  Romantic,  Elegiac, 
Mythologic,  Eclogue,  Ballad,  and  Epitaph. 

374.  Management  of  the  Breath.  From 
what  we  have  said,  you  see  the  importance 
of  attending  to  this  subject.  Very  few  per- 
sons— breathe  sufficiently  often,  when  read- 
ing, speaking,  or  singing.  All  the  directions 
the  author  lias  seen  on  this  subject — are  at 
variance  with  truth  and  nature.  There  are 
a  few  instances,  when  a  long  breath  is  neces- 
sary ;  but  they  are  very  rare.  To  acquire  a 
long  breath,  exercise  on  all  the  difficulties  of 
respiration,  —  and  pursue  a  similar  course 
for  strengthening  a  weak  voice  ;  also,  practice 
long  quantity,  walking  up  hill,  and  running, 
when  reciting.  In  the  fid/owing,  breathe  at 
least  once,  while  reading  each  period.  "  He 
died  young,  (breathe,)  but  he  died  happy. 
His  friends  have  not  had  him  long,  (breathe,) 
but  his  death  —  (  breathe )  is  the  greatest 
trouble  and  grief,  (breathe,)  they  ever  had. 
He  has  enjoyed  the  sweets  of  the  world — 
(breathe,)  only  for  a  little  while,  (breathe,) 
but  he  never  tasted  its  bitters."  The  writer 
is  aware  of  being,  in  this  respect,  in  opposi- 
tion to  authorities ;  but  he  cannot  be  influ- 
enced by  that,  so  long  as  he  is  persuaded  that 
truth  and  nature  are  with  him.  If  one  does 
not  breathe  sufficiently  often,  he  will  be  al- 
most sure  to  speak  too  rapidly :  and,  as  the 
object  of  Elocution  is — to  convince  and  per- 
suade, how  can  one  expect  to  do  this,  if  he 
does  not  give  his  hearers  time  to  think,  or 
reason,  about  what  he  says]  How  can  a 
jury — keep  pace  with  a  lawyer,  whose  lan- 
guage rides  post-haste]  If  his  reason,  and 
arguments,  are  hurled  upon  the  ear,  like 
flashes  of  lightning  upon  the  eye,  how  can 
they  be  remembered,  or  produce  the  intended 
effect  ?  If  one  does  not  breathe  at  the  proper 
times  and  places,  the  sense  is  not  fully  con- 
veyed, and  the  lungs  are  injuriously  affected. 
Too  unfrequcnl  breathing,  and  rapid  speak- 
ing, must  be  avoided;  but  beware  of  the  op- 
posite extreme,  unless  you  wish  to  lull  your 
hearers  to  sleep. 

Ask  of  mother  earth — why  oaks — were  made — 
Taller  and  stronger — than  the  weeds  they  shade. 
13 


Proverbs.  1.  Never  begin  things,  and  then 
leave  them  unfinished.  2.  Have  a  place  for  every 
thing:  and  when  you  have  used  it,  put  it  back 
again.  3.  Proverbs — bear  age  ;  and  he.  who  would 
do  well,  may  see  himself  in  them,  as  in  a  looking- 
glass.  4.  Politeness  —  costs  nothing,  and  may  do 
much  good.  5.  Tedionsmss — is  often  fatal  to  our 
object.  6.  Where  there  is  no  hope,  there  is  no  en- 
deavor. 7.  Unequal  friendships — are  easily  dis- 
solved. 8.  Sloth— consumes  faster  than  labor.  9- 
Lost  time—is  never  found  again  ;  and  time  enough 
yet,  is  always  little  enough.  10.  Industry— pay; 
debts;  despair — increases  them.  11.  Troops  of  fu- 
ries— march  in  the  drunkard's  triumph.  12.  Suc- 
cess— consecrates  the  foulest  crimes. 

Anecdote.  The  Boys  and  Frogs.  L' Es- 
trange tells  us,  in  his  fables,  that  a  number 
of  boys  were  one  day  watching  frogs  at  the 
side  of  a  pond;  and  that  when  any  of  them 
put  their  heads  above  the  water,  the  boys 
pelted  them  down  again,  with  stones.  One 
of  the  frogs,  appealing  to  the  humanity  of 
the  boys,  made  this  striking  observation, — 
"Children,  you  do  not  consider,  that  though 
this  may  be  sport  to  you,  it  is  death  to  us." 

Folly  and  Wisdom.  Many  parents — 
labor  hard,  and  live  sparingly,  that  they  may 
give  their  children  a  start  in  the  world :  but 
setting  a  son  afloat  with  money  left  to  him — 
is  like  tying  bladders  under  the  arms  of  one 
who  cannot  swim ;  and  ten  to  one  he  will 
drown  ;  but  teach  him  to  swim,  and  he  will 
never  need  bladders :  give  a  child  a  good  edu- 
cation, and  it  will  give  him  such  a  start — as 
will  secure  usefulness  and  victory  in  the  race 
he  is  to  run. 

Varieties.  1.  Is  it  possible — for  a  created 
being  to  merit  any  thing — at  the  hands  of 
God  ?  2.  The  instincts  of  animals — are  their 
laws  of  life ;  they  seem  to  be  sensible  of  their 
ends  of  being,  and  the  means  of  attaining 
them.  3.  Truth — is  that  resemblance  to,  or 
conformity  with  Nature,  that  is  presented  to 
the  mind,  by  the  relation  of  ideas,  whether 
simple,  or  complex.  4.  There  is  a  divinity — 
shapes  our  ends,  rough  hew  them  as  we  will. 
5.  'Tis  better,  to  be  lowly  born,  and  range 
with  humble  livers — in  content,  than  to  be 
pricked  up — in  glittering  grief,  and  wear  a 
golden  sorrow.  6.  Whatever  is  seen,  by  the 
bodily  eye,  or  perceived  by  the  outward  senses, 
is  but  an  effect — from  the  spiritual  world,  and 
a  true  representative  of  some  principle  there- 
in, and  proper  to  it;  for  that  world  is  in  the 
human  soul, — and  mind. 

I  ramble — by  the  evening  sea 

The  light-house — glimmering  from  afar, 
And  fleecy  clouds — are  scouring  free 

O'er  rising  moon,  and  twinkling  star; 
In  distance — floats  the  waning  sail, 

Or  brightly  gleams  the  plashing  oar, 
And  mingles — with  the  shining  gafe 

The  billow — murmuring  on  the  shore; 
But  one  thing  wants  the  ivanderer  there — 
A  kindred  soul,  the  scene  to  share. 


98 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


375.  Emphasis.  This  is  a  very  impor- 
tant part  of  our  subject ;  and  unless  the  pu- 
pil is  certain,  that  he  perfectly  understands 
Accent,  he  is  advised  to  review  it  again.  Ac- 
cented syllables,  are  to  other  syllables,  in  the 
same  word,  what  emphatic  syllables,  are  to 
words  in  the  same  sentence, — hence,  it  may- 
be seen,  that  as  the  idea — is  always  associa- 
ted with  the  accented  vowel,  and  changes, 
when  the  seat  of  accent  is  changed ;  as  in 
.4n-gust,  and  sea-gust;  so,  the  mind's  eye — 
always  accompanies  the  emphatic  word.  Ex. 
Doctor  Johnson,  (says  Cicero,)  was  a  great 
orator.  Thus  emphasised,  we  make  Cicero 
say,  that  Dr.  Johnson — was  a  great  orator. 
Corrected,  thus:  Dr.  Johnson  says — Cicero 
was  a  great  orator.  Practice  on  this  sentence, 
till  every  thing  appertaining  to  correct  em- 
phasis is  familiar.  All  the  words  .in  this 
book,  printed  in  different  type,  are  more  or 
less  emphatic :  and  some  are  emphatic  that 
are  in  the  common  type. 

276.  Emphasis — is  an  increase  of  accent 
on  the  accented  vowels  of  important  words, 
the  more  perfectly  to  convey  the  sense  of  the 
author.  There  are  only  two  ways  of  ma- 
king it :  which  are  the  same  as  in  accent ;  viz  : 
by  stress  and  quantity.  First,  by  stress  : 
Ex.  1.  The  difference — between  what  is  true 
— and  false,  good — and  evil,  is  very  great. 

2.  Some  reports — are  true:  others — are  false. 

3.  Truth  tells  us,  that  certain  affections — 
are  evil:  but  False  says,  they  are  good.  4. 
Good  men — love,  and  practice,  what  is  good 
and  true ;  but  wicked  men — love,  and  prac- 
tice, what  is  false,  and  evil.  5.  Heaven — 
consists  of  all  that  is  good  and  true;  but 
Hell — consists  of  all  that  is  false,  and  evil. 

277.  Horticulture — or  Gardening,  is 
the  art  of  preparing  and  cultivating  gardens, 
including  pleasure-grounds,  and  ornamental 
shrubbery :  its  close  relation  to  Agriculture, 
renders  it  difficult  to  distinguish  behoeen 
them.  As  involving  principles  of  taste,  and 
elements  of  beauty,  it  may  be  classed  with 
the  Fine  Arts;  but  its  connection  with  the 
Useful  Arts — presents  a  stronger  relation; 
and,  whether  considered  in  reference  to  use- 
fulness, or  ornament,  it  deserves  much  at- 
tention, and  exerts  a  salutary  influence  over 
its  votaries. 

Anecdote.     Working   a   Passage.     An 
Irishman,  having  applied  to  work  his  passage 
on  a  canal-boat,  and  being  employed  to  lead 
the  horses  on  the  low-pal h ;  on  arriving  at  the 
place  of  destination,  declared  he  would  sooner 
go  on  foot,  than  work  his  passage  in  America. 
Honest  index — of  the  soul, 
Nobly  scorning  all  control, 
Silent  language — ever  flowing, 
Every  secret  thought  avowing, 
Pleasure's  seat, — Love's  favorite  throne, 
Every  triumph — is  thy  own. 


Proverbs.  1.  Every  act  of  violence — leads 
to  difficult  results.  2.  The  house  of  a  true  friend  - 
is  always  a  sure  asylum.  3.  It  is  sweet — to  soothe 
the  wretched,  and  mitigate  their  misfortunes.  4  He 
has  done  the  mischief,  and  J  bear  the  blame.  5. 
It  is  common  to  fools — to  mention  their  neighbors 
faults;  while  they  are  forgetful  of  their  own.  6 
Endeavor  to  conquer  adverse  circumstances  ;  and 
not  submit  to  them.  7.  It  is  wise — to  derive  know- 
ledge, even  from  an  enemy.  8.  He,  who  flies  from 
judgment,  confesses  the  crime  ■imputed  to  him.  9. 
We  are  generally  willing  to  believe — what  we 
wish  to  be  true.  10.  Let  justice  be  done,  tho'  the 
heavens  fall.  11.  The  more  riches  a  fool  has,  tin: 
foolisher  he  is.  12.  When  the  heart — is  past  hope 
the  face — is  past  shame.  13.  Despair — has  ruined 
many  a  one. 

Philosophy  of  Mind.  No  philosophy  of 
the  mind  can  be  valuable,  that  does  not  pro- 
pose an  inquiry  into  the  connection  between 
mind  and  matter.  Attention  to  the  subject 
of  our  own  consciousness,  alone,  excludes  the 
possibility  of  their  being  well  observed,  be- 
cause the  conditions  of  their  being  well  seen 
— are  neglected.  That  there  is  a  direct  con- 
nection between  mind  and  mailer,  the  soul 
and  body,  is  an  indisputable  fact ;  and  it  is 
perfectly  idle,  to  pretend  to  examine  the  qual- 
ities of  the  former,  without  reference  to  the 
latter.  The  comprehension  of  the  actum  of 
mind  and  the  reaction  of  matter,  involves 
the  true  principles  of  Intellectual  Philosophy 
and  Psychology. 

Varieties.  1.  Which  is  the  most  desira 
ble,  to  know  and  understand  much;  or,  to 
make  a  right  use  of  what  we  know  and  un- 
derstand] 2.  The  Jew — asks  a  sign;  the 
Greeks — seek  after  wisdom.  3.  Do  not  the 
shadows  of  great  thoughts,  sometimes  fall 
on  our  minds ? 

Who  friendship — with  a  knave  has  made, 

Is  judged  a  ■partner — in  the  trade; 

'Tis  thus,  that  on  the  choice  of  friends, 

Our  good,  or  evil  name — depends. 

5.  Envy  no  man's  good,  or  truth:  seek  not 
to  be  him.  If  less  than  thee,  give  that  which 
he  asketh  of  thee,  at  all  times ;  if  more  than 
thee,  envy  not:  neither  seek  to  depreciate; 
and  beware  of  rashly  condemning  what  is 
above  thee, — lest  thou  materially  hurt  thyself. 
6.  We  may  as  soon  take  ./ire — into  the  bo- 
som, without  being  burned,  or  touch  tar, 
without  being  defiled,  as  to  frequent  and  de- 
light in — bad  company,  without  a  stain  upon 
our  moral  character. 

MY    SISTER. 

Mine  eyes — have  seen  the  beautiful, 

Mine  ears — have  heard  their  thrilling  voice, 
My  heart — has  felt  their  potent  rule — 

The  fears  of  hope,  the  hope  of  joys — 
But  never — has  my  sight  approved 

Afairer — than  my  sister — no! 
None  other  sound — so  much  hath  moveg 

As,  her  "  dear  irof/ter,"  spoken  low. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


99 


278.  Involuntary  Effoists.  Let  no  one 
imagine,  that  it  is  the  design  of  this  system  to 
make  arbitrary  readers,  and  speakers;  far 
from  it:  if  the  system  were  not  founded  in 
xatcre.  such  might  be  the  result.  By  mak- 
ing use  of  the  principles  here  developed,  we 
return  to  truth  and  nature ;  provided  we  have 
vmndered  from  them;  consequently,  the  ef- 
fort becomes  involuntary :  as  was  the  case 
with  the  whistling  of  little  Jimmy,  in  school ; 
who,  when  his  teacher  was  about  to  correct 
him,  exclaimed,  "  No,  no ;  it  was  not  J  that 
whistled,  it  whistled  itself.''1  No  one  can  be 
a  good  reader,  or  speaker,  till  the  effort  be- 
comes involuntary ;  he  must  will,  and  it  shall 
be  done.  Unfortunately,  some  think  they 
must  do  some  great  thing;  whereas,  they 
have  only  to  wash,  and  be  clean. 

279.  E  p  i  c ,  or  heroic  poetry,  has  for  its  sub- 
ject the  exploits  of  some  hero,  or  heroes,  of 
national  celebrity ;  Lyric  poetry  is  designed 
to  be  set  to  music,  as  psalms,  hymns,  odes 
and  songs ;  Elegiac  poetry  involves  solemn, 
or  mournful  subjects;  Epitaphs  are  inscrip- 
tions on  /omS-stones ;  Pastoral  poetry  treats 
of  rural  affairs,  and  the  social  affections;  it  is 
appropriate  to  shepherds  ;  Didactic  poetry  is 
designed  to  convey  instruction,-  Satyric 
poetry  is  for  reproving  the  vices,  errors  and 
follies  of  the  world,  by  holding  them  up  to 
ridicule;  Descriptive  poetry  describes  inter- 
esting subjects,  mental  or  natural;  and 
Romantic  poetry  has  for  its  subjects,  tales, 
romances,  and  novels,  probable,  or  supernal 

ural. 

280.  Cause  and  Effect.  Such  are  the  de- 
fects of  our  education,  that  we  are  brought  up 
almost  as  ignorant  of  our  bodies  and  minds, 
as  of  the  man  in  the  moon :  the  consequence 
is,  we  are  imposed  upon  by  the  *Aoe-maker, 
the  tailor,  the  mantua-maker,  the  carpenter 
and  joiner,  the  cabinet-maker,  the  miller  and 
baker,  the  cook  and  the  washer,  and  by  al- 
most every  body  else :  we  are  a  race  of  abusers 
of  one  another.  When  we  get  a  pair  of  shoes, 
the  first  question  is,  how  well  do  they  look  ! 
So  also  of  the  coat  and  dress,  the  house,  the 
chair,  the  flour,  and  bread,  &c,  &c.  Oh, 
when  shall  we  be  wise,  and  understand  the 
things  that  so  nearly  concern  our  temporal 
welfare]  Having  eyes,  we  see  not  aright; 
having  ears,  we  hear  wrong:  our  feelings, 
taste,  and  smell — betray  us,  because  they  are 
perverted.  The  enemy  comes  in  upon  us  like 
a  flood,  and  who  will  lift  up  a  standard  against 
him] 

GENERATIONS   OF   MAN. 

Like  leaves  on  trees — the  race  of  man  is  found, 

Now,  green  in  youth,  now,  wither ing  on  the  ground. 

Another  race  the  following  spring  supplies ; 

They  fall  successive,  and  successive  rise: 

So — generations — in  their  course  decay, 

So — flourish  these,  when  those — are  passed  away. 


Proverbs.  1.  It  is  well  not  only  to  seem  pure  ; 
but,  to  be  pure.  2.  Aim  at  desert,  rather  than  re- 
ward. 3.  If  you  are  in  a  thriving  way.  stick  to  it, 
and  let  well  enough,  alone.  4.  Trifles — often  de- 
cide m!<e/i— concerning  the  character  of  a  person. 

5.  Believe  yourself  capable  o{  learning  what  others 
have  learned.  6.  Avoid  all  extremes;  and  livt, 
and  act,  in  the  golden  medium.  7.  The  loaded 
tree  —  always  bends  with  its  fruits;  asvirti  <— 
stoops  beneath  humility.  S.  Without  frugal.. y, 
none  can  lie  rich;  and  with  it — few  can  be  poor. 
9.  The  used  key — is  always  bright.  10.  Man  is  a 
being  who  makes  bargains;  one  dog  never  ex- 
changes bones  with  another  dog.  11.  You  can  do 
it,  if  you  only  think  so,  and  try.  12.  Quick  be- 
lievers— need  broad  shoulders. 

Anecdote.  New  Character.  Lord  Hardy. 
who  was  so  much  addicted  to  the  bottle,  as  tn 
be  always  under  the  influence  of  liquor,  pre- 
vious to  amasquerade  night,  inquired  of  Foot, 
"  what  new  character  he  ought  to  appear  in  V 
"  New  character,"  said  the  other, — "  suppose 
you  go  sober,  my  lord."  He  took  the  hint  of 
the  comedian,  and  actually  reformed. 

Industry.  If  industry  is  no  more  than 
habit,  "tis  at  least  an  excellent  one.  "  If  you 
ask  me,  which  is  the  real  hereditary  sin  of 
human  nature,  do  you  imagine  I  shall  answer 
pride,  or  luxury,  or  ambition,  or  egotism  ? 
No  ;  I  shall  say — indolence.  Who  conquers 
indolence,  will  conquer  all  the  rest."  Indeed. 
all  good  principles  must  stagnate,  without 
mental  activity. 

"Varieties.     1.  A  prime  ministei was 

asked,  how  he  could  perform  such  a  vast 
amount  of  busitiess,  and  yet,  have  so  much 
leisure  ?  He  replied,  I  do  every  thing  at  the 
lime.  2.  Would  wings — be  folded  in  the 
worm,  if  they  were  not  one  day  to  enable  it 
to  fly?  3.  The  perfection  of  religion  and 
science — will  be  united ;  their  sphere  of  ope- 
ration ascertained,  and  their  periods  of  vicis- 
situdes know?i  in  that  better  age,  which  is 
approaching. 

Let  fools — the  studious  despise  ; 
There's  nothing  lost,  by  being  wise. 
Whatever  perils — may  alarm  us. 
Kind  words — will  never  harm  us. 

6.  Pure,  and  undeflled  religion,  is  the  sheet- 
anchor  of  happiness,  the  perfection  and  glory 
ofmimannature;  its  essence — isaconscience 
void  of  offence  toward  God,  and  man.  7. 
There  is  a  providence  in  every  pulsation,  and 
in  all  the  particulars  that  concern  it:  as  the 
sun  —  never  ceases  to  shine,  so  the  Lord — 
never  ceases  to  bless. 

There  is  a  voice — I  shall  hear  no  more — 
There  are  tones,  whose  music,  forme,  is  o'er, 
Sweet  as  the  odors  of  spring  were  they, — 
Precious  and  rich — but,  they  died  away; 
They  carne  like  peace  to  my  heart  and  ear — 
Never  again  will  they  murmur  here; 
They  have  gone — like  the  blush  of  a  summer  mom, 
Like  a  crimson  cloud — through  the  sunset  borne. 


100 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


381.  Emphasis.  Words  are  emphatic, 
when  opposition  is  expressed,  or  understood  ; 
that  is,  when  our  words  are  contrasted,  and 
when  we  wish  to  enforce  our  ideas,  so  as  to 
produce  their  desired  effects.  As,  Oratory — 
involves  feelings,  thoughts  and  words;  so, 
does  it  also  involve  ends,  or  purposes,  causes, 
and  effects;  beyond  which,  human  minds 
cannot  travel.  We  may  illustrate  emphasis, 
by  what  is  called  lever-power  ;  the  resistance 
to  be  overcome,  or  the  effect  to  be  produced ; 
the  lever  as  a  medium,  and  the  weight :  thus, 
I  will,  or  desire,  to  accomplish  a  certain  ob- 
ject :  here,  is  the  region  of  ends,  or  pur- 
poses ;  then,  I  devise  ways  and  means,  and 
determine  how  it  is  to  be  done ;  here,  is  the 
region  of  causes:  and,  finally,  I  put  the  pur- 
pose in  operation,  through  the  means,  and 
thus  accomplish  my  object ;  which,  of  course, 
is  the  region  of  effects.  Here  is  the  philoso- 
phy of  oratory. 

282.  Examples  or  Emphasis  by  Stress. 
1.  It  is  not  so  easy  to  hide  our  faults,  as  to  con- 
fess— and  avoid  them.  2.  Never  attempt  to 
raise  yourself,  by  depreciating  the  merits  of 
others.  3.  As  fools — make  a  mock  at  sin,  so 
do  the  ignorant — often  make  a  mock  at 
knowledge.  4.  They  are  generally  most  ri- 
diculous themselves,  who  see  most  to  ridicule 
in  others.  5.  Wherever  education  is  neg- 
lected,— depravity,  and  every  kind  of  action, 
that  degrades  mankind,  are  most  frequent. 
6.  The  first  three  volumes  ;  not,  the  three  first 
volumes ;  there  is  only  one — -first.  7.  The 
first  three,  and  the  last  two  verses ;  not,  the 
three  first,  and  two  last.  8.  To  be  truly — 
happy,  man  must  be  good,  and  renounce  such 
enjoyments  as  are  grounded  in  the  love  of 
evil.  9.  There  is  a  natural  body,  and  there 
is  a  spiritual  body.  10.  Flesh — and  blood — 
cannot  inherit  the  kingdom  of  God. 

283.  Rule.  Emphasize  the  important 
word,  or  words,  with  such  a  degree  and  kind 
of  stress,  or  expulsive  prolongation  of  sound, 
as  to  convey  the  entire  sense  and  feeling,  in 
the  best  manner,  and  give  each  idea  its  rela- 
tive importance.  Example  and  definition. 
"  Emphasis — is  the  index  of  my  meaning, 
and  shows  more  exactly,  what  I  wish  the 
hearers  to  attend  to — particularly."  Indeed, 
it  is  to  the  mind  what  the  finger  is  to  the  eye  : 
when  we  wish  a  person  to  see  any  thing,  we 
naturally  point  to  it :  thus,  are  the  manifesta- 
tions of  the  mind  made  by  the  emphasis,  or 
pointing  of  the  voice. 

They  are  sleeping!     Who  are  sleeping? 

Mortals,  compassed  round  with  woe, — 
Eyelids,  wearied  out  with  weeping, 

Close  for  very  weakness  now: 
And  that  short  relief  from  sorrow, 

Harassed  nature — shall  sustain, 
Till  they  wake  again — to-morroiv, 

Strengthened — to  contend  with  pain .' 


Proverbs.  1.  We  must  submit  to  authority, 
till  we  can  discover,  or  see — reasons.  2.  Be  not  jat- 
isfied  with  the  results  and  applications  of  know- 
ledge j  but  searcli  for  its  fountains.  3.  Youth — is 
not  a  time  to  cast  away  stones,  but  to  gather  them. 
4.  Instead  of  naturalizing  nature,  we  should  nat- 
uralize art.  5.  The  understanding — is  a  refining 
vessel,  in  which  knowledge  is  purified.  6.  En- 
deavor to  acquire  such  knowledge,  as  will  enable 
you  to  judge  correctly  yourself.  7.  Time — de- 
stroys the  speculations  of  man,  but  confirms  the 
judgments  of  Nature.  8.  No  evil  propensity  is  so 
powerful,  but  that  it  may  be  subdued,  by  proper 
means.  9.  No  one  is  so  great,  or  so  small,  but 
that  he  is  capable  of  giving,  or  receiving — benefits. 
10.  Be  civil — to  the  great, — but  intimate — with  the 
food.  11.  No  religion — is  better  than  an  unnatu- 
ral one.  12.  Immoderate  sorrow — is  a  species  of 
suicide.  13.  Pay  what  you  owe.  14.  Great  thieves 
punish  little  ones.  15.  The  absent  party  is  al- 
ways  faulty. 

Anecdote.  If  a  private  gentleman,  in 
Cheshire  England,  about  the  year  1730,  had 
not  been  overturned  in  his  carriage  ;  it  is 
possible,  that  the  United  States,  instead  of 
being  a  free  Republic,  might  have  remained 
a  dependent  colony:  that  gentleman — was 
Augustus  Washington,  who  was  thus  thrown 
out  of  his  carriage,  into  the  company  of  a 
lady,  who  afterwards  became  his  wife,  emi- 
grated with  him  to  Virginia,  and,  in  1732,  be- 
came the  mother — of  General  Washington. 

Laconics.  When  we  see  birds,  at  the 
approach  of  rain,  anointing  their  plumage 
with  oil — to  shield  off  the  drops,  should  it 
not  remind  us,  when  the  storms  of  conten- 
tion threaten  us,  to  apply  the  oil  of  for 
bearance,  and  thus — prevent  the  chilling 
drops  from  entering  our  hearts? 

"Varieties.  1.  Did  mankind  fall  sudden- 
ly, or  by  degrees  ?  2.  While  freedom — is  true 
to  itself,  every  one  becomes  subject  to  it;  and 
even  its  adversaries  are  instruments  in  its 
hands.  3.  The  preservation  of  health — de- 
pends, principally,  on  proper  diet,  early  re- 
tiring, and  early  rising,  temperance  in  eat- 
ing, and  drinking,  proper  exercise,  and  per- 
fect cleanliness.  4.  By  a  vicious  action,  we 
injure  our  mind,  as  we  should  our  body,  by 
drinking  poison,  or  inflicting  a  wound  upon 
it.  5.  What  is  liberty  ?  Willing,  thinking, 
speaking,  and  doing — what  we  understand  ; 
provided,  we  violate  no  law,  or  principle. 
6.  Mental  pleasures — never  cloy;  unlike 
those  of  the  body,  they  are  increased  by  repe- 
tition, approved  by  reason,  and  strengthened 
by  enjoyment.  7.  Evil  action,  contrivance 
and  speech,  is  but  the  manifestation  of  the 
nature  of  evil ;  and  that  it  should  be  made 
manifest,  is  consistent  with  divine  inten- 
tions. 

Freedom — is 
The  brilliant  gift  of  heaven ;  'tis  reason's  self, 
The  kin — to  Deity. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


101 


284.  Emphasis.  There  are  only  two  ways 
of  making  emphasis,  but  as  many  ways  of 
exhibiting  it,  as  there  are  pitches,  qualifies, 
and  modifications  of  voice — in  Speech  and 
So?ig :  all  of  which  are  very  simple,  and  a 
knowledge  of  them  easily  acquired,  by  the 
persevering  student.  In  every  sentence,  there 
is  a  word,  or  words,  on  which  the  sense  de- 
pends, as  the  body — on  the  heart;  the  voice  and 
gestures,  only,  can  exhibit  it.  Emphasis,  not 
only  illustrates,  but  often  amplifies  the  sense 
of  the  author ;  and  that  is  the  best  emphasis, 
which  does  this  the  most  effectively;  indeed, 
there  are  times  when,  through  the  emphasis, 
one  may  make  words  mean — more  than  they 
were  designed  to  mean  by  the  author. 

2S5.  Emphasis  by  expulsive  stress.  1.  He 
who  cannot  bear  a  joke — should  never  give 
one.  2.  Avoid  a  slanderer,  as  you  would  a 
scorpion.  3.  A  wager — is  &  fool's  argument. 
4.  He  that  is  past  shame,  is  past  hope.  5. 
What  is  worth  doing  at  all,  is  worth  doing 
well.  6.  Men  of  principle,  ought  to  be  prin- 
cipal men.  7.  Aim  at  nothing  higher,  till 
you  can  read  and  speak,  deliberately,  clearly, 
and  distinctly,  and  with  proper  emphasis:  all 
other  graces  will  follow.  8.  The  head,  with- 
out the  heart,  is  like  a  steam  engine,  without 
a  boiler.    9.  As  love — thinks  no  evil,  so  envy 

-speaks  no  good.  10.  Variety,  delights; 
and  perfection,  delights  in  variety. 

S3S6-  Music.  The  cultivation,  and  frequent 
practice  of  music,  in  schools  of 'every  grade,  will 
have  a  strong,  and  decidedly  beneficial  influ- 
ence on  the  habits  of  the  pupils.  By  using 
the  same  words,  and  singing  the  same  pieces 
in  concert,  their  thoughts  will  be  directed  in 
the  same  channel,  and  their  affections  eleva- 
ted together ;  and  they  will  naturally  be  led 
into  closer  association  and  sympathy  with 
each  other.  Well  chosen  music  may  be  made 
an  efficient  auxiliary,  guiding  and  controlling 
the  feelings  and  actions  in  the  school-room, 
and  contribute  essentially,  to  the  proper  man- 
agement of  its  concerns.  It  was  in  accord- 
ance with  this  principle,  that  a  certain  poet 
wisely  said,  "Let  me  make  the  songs  of  the 
nation,  and  I  care  not  who  makes  its  laws.'" 

287.  Geography — comprises  a  general  de- 
scription of  the  earth;  and,  especially  of  the 
rint ions,  by  which  it  is  inhabited,  in  reference 
to  their  position  and  extent ;  their  produc- 
tions axui  resources;  their  institutions  and 
improvements ;  their  manners  and  customs ; 
including  the  subject  of  statistics,  voyages, 
and  travels.  It  is  a  term,  that  admits  of  al- 
most indefinite  extension;  for  in  describing 
a  nation,  allusion  must  be  made  to  its  lan- 
guage, laivs,  religion,,  arts,  and  literature  ,- 
and  in  treating  of  the  earth,  and  its  produc- 
tions, we  may  include  the  whole  range  of  the 
physical  sciences. 

True  love— is  never  idle. 

12 


Proverbs.  1.  It  is  a  fraud— to  conceal  fraud. 
2.  Never  attempt  to  do  two  things— at  once.  3. 
He,  labors  in  vain,  who  endeavors  to  please  every 
body.  4.  To  the  resolute  and  persevering — noth- 
ing is  difficult.  5.  Thieves — are  game  for  the 
penitentiary,  and  often,  for  the  gallows.  6.  Kind- 
ness— begets  kindness,  and  love — begets  love.  7. 
The  drop — hollows  the  stone,  not  by  its  force,  but 
by  falling  often  on  the  same  spot.  8.  A  man  who 
aspires  to  be  an  orator,  must  study  by  night,  as 
well  as  by  day.  9.  There  is  no  sauce  equal  to  a 
good  appetite.  10.  To  wicked  persons — the  vir- 
tue of  others — is  always  a  subject  of  envy.  11.  A 
man  would  not  be  alone,  even  in  paradise.  12. 
Weigh  right,  if  you  sell  dear. 

Anecdote.  Dr.  Johnson  —  observed  to 
Macklin,  in  a  sneering  manner,  that  literary 
men — should  converse  in  the  learned  lan- 
guages; and  immediately  addressed  the  dra- 
matist in  Latin  ;  after  which,  Macklin — ut- 
tered a  long  sentence  in  Irish.  The  Doctor 
again  returned  to  the  English  tongue,  saying, 
"  You  may  speak  very  good  Greek  ;  but  I  am 
not  sufficiently  versed  in  that  dialect — to  con- 
verse with  yo\xfluently.,'> 

Of  Dress,  &c.  A  creature,  who  spends 
its  time  in  dressing,  gaming,  prating,  and 
gadding,  is  a  being  originally,  indeed,  of  the 
rational  make ;  but  who  has  sunk  itself  be- 
neath its  rank,  and  is  to  be  considered,  at 
present,  as  nearly  on  a  level  with  the  mon- 
key-species. 

Varieties.  1.  What  was  the  design  of 
God,  in  making  man?  2.  How  absurd,  to 
have  half  a  dozen  children,  with  different  dis- 
positions, and  capabilities,  and  yet,  give  them 
all — the  same  education  J  3.  Are  not  bigot- 
ry, and  intolerance — as  destructive  to  ~.io 
rality,  as  they  are  to  common  sex,  ■*  4. 
Observations,  made  in  the  cloister,  or  in  the 
desert,  will  generally  be  as  obscure — as  the 
one,  and  barren — as  the  other;  to  become 
orators,  or  painters,  we  must  study  originals. 
5.  Which  side  of  a  pitcher  has  the  handle?  ■ 
The  outside,  of  course.  6.  If  a  book  really 
needs  the  patronage  of  a  great  man  ;  it  is  a 
bad  book ;  and  if  it  be  a  good  book,  it  does 
not  need  it.  7.  To  sow  the  seeds  of  order — 
we  must  be  just ;  and  so,  also,  to  water  them ; 
but  beware  that  self — enter  not  into  the  ac- 
tion. 

Before  the  gate  there  sat, 
On  either  side,  a  formidable  shape. 
The  one  seemed  woman — to  the  waist,  and  fair  ; 
But  ended  foul,  in  many  a  scaly  fold, 
Voluminous  and  vast ; — a  serpent  arm'd 
With  mortal  stings. 

The  other  shape, 
If  shape  it  might  be  call'd,  that  shape  had  none, 
Or  substance  might  be  call'd,  that  shadow  seemed 
For  each  seem'd  each,  black  it  stood  as  night, 
Fierce  as  ten  furies, — terrible  as  hell, 
And  shook  a  dreadful  dart. 

You  think  this  cruel ;  take  it  for  a  rule, 

JTo  creature — smart3  so  little— as  a  fool. 


V 


102 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


288.  Remember,  that  Emphasis — is  to 
words,  in  a  sentence,  what  accent  is  to  letters 
or  syllables,  in  a  word;  and,  as  proper  ac- 
cent— on  a  right  vowel,  will  impart  an  impe- 
tus to  the  voice,  in  going  through  the  word ; 
so,  true  emphasis  on  the  same,  will  give  an 
iwpetus  in  delivering  the  sentence,  so  as  to 
ultimate  the  end  you  have  in  view.  Again, 
the  length  of  long  vowel  sounds,  in  emphatic 
words,  is,  to  the  same  vowels,  in  accented 
words,  what  Accented  long  ones  are,  to  unac- 
cented long  ones :  similar  observations  might 
be  made  in  reference  to  force — on  emphatic 
short  vowels,  and  accented  and  unaccented 
short  ones. 

289.  The  various  effects,  produced  by 
changing  the  seat  of  Emphasis,  from  one 
word  to  another,  may  be  seen  in  the  follow- 
ing sentence,  of  emphatic  memory  ;  provided 
it  be  read  according  to  the  notation.  "  Will 
you  ride  to  town  to-day1!"  That  is:  will 
you  ride,  or  will  you  not?  "Will  you  ride 
to  town  to-day  1"  That  is :  will  you  ride,  or 
will  you  send  some  one.  "  Will  you  ride  to 
town  to-day  1"  That  is:  will  you  ride,  or 
walk?  "Will  you  ride  to  town  to-day?" 
That  is :  will  you  ride  to  town,  or  will  you 
ride  somewhere  else?  "Will  you  ride  to 
town  to-day?"  That  is:  will  you  ride  to 
town  to-day,  or  to-morrow ;  or,  next  week? 
By  using  otlier  modifications  of  voice,  as  many 
shades  of  meaning  may  be  given,  even  to  this 
short  sentence,  as  there  are  letters  in  it. 

29©.  Application.  It  is  incredible,  how 
much  may  be  accomplished  by  diligence,  and 
industry.  The  present  state  of  the  world,  en- 
lightened by  the  arts  and  sciences,  is  a  living 
proof,  that  difficulties,  seemingly  insuperable, 
may  finally  be  overcome.  This  considera- 
tion ought  to  stimulate  us  to  industry  and 
application.  We  do  not  know  our  own 
strength,  till  we  try  it ;  nor  to  what  extent 
our  abilities  will  carry  us,  till  we  put  them  to 
the  test.  Those  who  want  resolution,  often 
desist  from  useful  enterprises,  when  they 
have  more  than  half  effected  their  purposes : 
they  are  discouraged  by  difficulties  and  dis- 
appointments,  which  ought  rather  to  excite 
their  ardor,  and  cause  them  to  redouble  their 
efforts  to  succeed. 

Anecdote.  While  Athens — was  governed 
by  the  thirty  tyrants,  Socrates,  the  philoso- 
pher, was  ordered  to  assist  in  seizing  one 
Leon,  a  man  of  rank  and  fortune,  whom 
they  determined  to  put  out  of  the  way,  that 
they  might  enjoy  his  estate,-  but  Socrates 
positively  refused:  saying,  "I  will  not  ivil- 
lingly  assist — in  an  unjust  act."  "Dost 
thou  think,"  (said  one  of  them,)  "to  talk  in 
this  high  tone,  and  not  to  suffer?"  "Far 
from  it,"  replied  he;  "I  expect  to  suffer  a 
thousand  ills;  but  none  so  great — as  to  do 
unjustly." 


Proverbs.  1.  Wisdom  —  excelleth  folly,  as 
much  as  light  excels  darkness.  2.  Opinion  -is 
free  ;  and  conduct  alone — amenable  to  the  law. 
3.  Some — affect  to  despise — what  they  do  not  un- 
derstand. 4.  In  trying  to  avoid  one  danger,  we 
sometimes  fall  into  another.  5.  Decency — is  the 
natural  characteristic  of  virtue,  and  the  decep- 
tive coloring  of  vice.  6.  Never  despair;  speak 
the  commanding  word,  "  I  will,"  and  it  is  done. 
7.  Never  chase  a  lie  ;  for  if  you  keep  quiet,  truth 
— will  eventually  overtake  it.  8.  A  punctual 
man,  is  rarely  a  poor-man  ;  and  never — a  man  of 
doubtful  credit.  9.  Persons  of  fashion,  starve 
their  happiness,  to  feed  their  vanity  ;  and  their 
love,  to  feed  their  pride.  10.  There  is  a  great 
difference — between  repeating-  a  maxim,  or  pro- 
verb, and  a  practical  observance  of  it.  11.  Dis- 
eases— are  the  interest  of  sensual  pleasures.  12. 
The  half  is  often  better  than  the  whole.  13.  Jus- 
tice— should  rule  over  all. 

Bigots.  Bigots,  who  are  violent,  positive, 
and  intolerant,  in  their  religious  tenets,  ought 
to  feel  very  much  humbled,  when  they  reflect, 
that  they  would  have  been  equally  so  for  any 
other  religion,  had  it  been  the  religion  of  their 
parents,  or  of  the  country  in  which  they  had 
been  horn  and  educated. 

Varieties.  1.  Why  is  a  fate-bearer — like  a 
firicfc-layer  ?  Because  he  raises  stories.  2. 
When  you  have  nothing  to  say,  say  nothing; 
for  a  iveak  defence — strengthens  your  oppo- 
nent: and  silence — is  better  than  a  bad  re- 
ply. 3.  We  might  enjoy  much  peace,  and 
happiness,  if  we  would  not  busy  ourselves, 
with  what  others  say  and  do.  4.  Never  think 
of  yourself,  when  reading,  speaking,  or 
singing;  but  of  your  subject;  and  avoid  an 
artificial,  and  grandiloquent  style  of  delivery. 
5.  It  is  not  enough — to  be  left  to  the  tuition 
of  Nut ure,  unless  we  know  what  lessons  she 
teaches.  6.  Morals — too  often  come  from 
the  pulpit,  in  the  cold  abstract ;  but  men 
smart  under  them  when  good  lawyers  are 
the  preachers.  7.  When  we  become  perfect- 
ly rational,  and  act  wholly  from  ourselves — 
in  consequence  of  it,  we  are  accountable  for 
all  our  actions,  and  they  are  then  imputed  to 
us,  if  evil, — but  not  before. 

Where  the  gentle  streamlets  flow, 
Where  the  morning  rfetc-drops  glow, 
Where  the  zephyrs — wing  their  flight, 
In  the  cool  and  welcome  night, 
Whispering  through  the  fragrant  grove 
To  the  heart,  that  "  God  is  love," 
Where  the  light  cloud  skims  the  sky, 
Worship  !  "God  is  passing  by  !" 
Hoary  forest,  rugged  rock, 
Roaring  torrents,  earthquake's  shock, 
Mighty  tempests,  lightning's  glare, 
Ocean,  raging  in  despair, 
And  the  desert — lone  and  drear, 
Wake  the  soul  of  man  to  fear; 
And  when  thunder  rends  the  sky, 
Tremble  1  "  God  is  passing !" 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


103 


291.  Emphasis.  If  your  articulation, 
and  pronunciation,  be  clear  and  cwrect,  and 
you  are  free  from  all  unnatural  tones,  and 
other  bad  habits,  nothing  can  prevent  your 
succeeding  in  this  important  art,  if  you  per- 
fect yourself  in  Emphasis :  hence,  the  reason 
of  dwelling  on  the  subject  so  long,  and  of 
giving  such  a  variety  of  examples.  But  re- 
member,- that  books,  rules,  teachers,  or  all 
combined,  cannot  make  orators  of  you,  with- 
out you  throw  your  whole  heurt  and  soul 
into  tiie  exercises,  and  let  your  zeal  be  ac- 
cording to  knowledge.  Become  independent 
of  your  book,  and  speak  from  memory,  as 
soon  as  possible ;  then,  you  will  be  left  to  the 
promptings  and  guidance  of  your  own  mind, 
and  become  free. 

292.  1.  Men  live,  and  pi-osper,  but  in  mu- 
tual trust,  and  confidence  of  one  another's 
truth.  2.  Those,  who  are  teaching  our  youth 
— to  read  with  science  and  effect,  are  doing 
much  to  increase  the  power,  and  extend  the 
influence — of  standard  authors. 

Peace — is  the  happy,  natural  state  of  man; 

War — his  corruption,  and  disgrace. 
To  native  genius — would  you  prove  a  friend  ! 
Point  out  his  faults — and  teach  him  how  to  mend. 

Let  us 
Act  with  prudence,  and  with  manly  temper, 
As  well  as  manly  firmness  ; 
'Tis  God-like  magnanimity — to  keep, 
When  most  provoked,  our  reason — calm,  and  clear. 

IVoteS.  The  ancients  very  properly  called  man  a  micro- 
oosm,  or  little  world.  But  what  were  this  world — without  a  sun, 
to  impart  to  it  light  and  heat?  Of  what  use  the  body — without 
the  soul  ?  Of  what  use  the  house,  without  the  inhabitant  ?  and 
of  what  use  words,  without  thought  and  feeling?  And  of  what 
nse  are  all  these,  if  they  cannot  be  made  manifest  ?  The  body — 
is  the  mind's  servant,  and  depends  on  its  care,  as  the  mind  itself 
does  on  the  Father  of  mind.  Body,  and  soul — are  best  taken  care 
of,  when  both  are  minded  together. 

293.  Architecture — teaches  the  art  of 

building ;  and  is  one  of  the  most  useful,  as 
well  as  ancient,  of  all  the  arts:  it  demands 
much  more  attention,  than  it  has  ever  re- 
ceived ;  especially,  in  this  country  :  and  many 
—  would  save  time,  labor  and  money,  and 
have  better  houses,  as  to  comfort  and  appear- 
ance, if  they  would  make  themselves  ac- 
quainted with  this  important  art.  Most 
persons  will  find  it  much  to  their  be?ieflt,  to 
call  upon  an  architect,  when  about  to  erect  a 
building  of  importance. 

Anecdote.  King  James  I.,  of  England, 
went  out  of  his  way  one  day,  to  hear  a  noted 
preacher.  The  clergyman,  seeing  the  king 
enter,  left  his  to/ — to  declaim  against  swear- 
ing; for  which  vile  practice — the  king  was 
notorious.  After  service,  the  king  thanked 
him  for  his  sermon;  and  asked  him,  what 
connection  swearing  had  with  his  text-  The 
minister  replied,  "  Since  your  majesty  came 
out  of  your  way,  thro'  curiosity,  /could  not, 
in  compliance,  do  less  than  go  out  of  mine — 
to  meet  you.'' 


Proverbs.  1.  Temperance — and  intemperance 
— reward,  and  punish  tliemselves.  2.  Riches — are 
servants  to  the  wise, — but  tyrants  to  fools.  3.  None 
can  be  great,  who  have  ceased  to  be  virtuous.  4. 
Money — docs  no  good,  till  it  is  distributed.  5.  If 
you  have  one  true  friend,  think  yourself  happy.  6 
Silks,  and  sali?is,  often  put  out  the  kitchen  jfre.  7. 
Hunger — looks  into  the  working-man's  house  ;  but 
dare  not  enter.  8.  When  the  well  is  dry,  people 
know  the  worth  of  water.  9.  Business — makes  a 
man.  as  well  as  tires  him.  10.  Forlhe  evidence  of 
truth,  look  at  the  truth  itself.  11.  Better  go  away 
longing,  than  loathing.  12.  Of  saving — cometh 
having.    13.  God — never  made  a  hypocrite. 

Reading,  Writing,  and  Speaking. 
Habits  of  literary  conversation,  and  still  more, 
habits  of  extempore  discussion  in  a  popular 
assembly,  are  peculiarly  useful  in  giving  us 
a  ready  and  practical  command  of  our  know- 
ledge. There  is  much  good  sense  in  the  fol- 
lowing aphorism  of  Bacon :  "Reading  makes 
a.  full  man,  writing  a  correct '  man,  and  speafc- 
ing  a  ready  man." 

Varieties.  1.  Through  an  affected  con- 
tempt— for  what  some  call  little  things,  many 
remain  ignorant — of  what  they  might  easily 
know.  2.  A  harmless  hilarity,  and  buoyant 
cheerfulness  —  are  not  unfrequent  concomi- 
tants of  genius ;  and  we  are  never  more  de- 
ceived, than  when  we  mistake  gravity — for 
greatness,  solemnity — for  science,  and  pom- 
posity for  erudition.  3.  It  is  better  to  have 
recourse  to  a  quack,  who  can  cure  our  dis- 
ease, tho'  he  cannot  explain  it,  than  to  one 
who  can  explain,  but  cannot  cure  it.  4.  Ear- 
ly rising — not  only  gives  us  more  life,  in  the 
same  number  of  years,  but  adds  to  the  num- 
ber ;  and  not  only  enables  us  to  enjoy  more 
of  existence,  in  the  same  measure  of  time,  but 
increases  also  their  measure.  5.  For  his 
honesty,  there  was  no  winter  in't ;  an  au- 
tumn 'twas,  that  grew  the  more,  by  reaping. 
6.  Let  us  admire  the  results  of  truth,  while 
we  ascend  to  the  source  of  truth.  7.  Look 
first  inwardly,  for  the  coming  of  the  Lord. 
and  of  his  kingdom ;  and  when  certainly 
found  there,  then  look  in  outward  nature,  foi 
a  harmony  agreeing  with  it ;  but  not  before. 
Tell  me  not,  in  mournful  numbers, 

Life — is  but  an  empty  dream  ! 
For  the  soul  is  dead,  that  slumbers, 

And  things  are  not — what  they  seem. 
Life  is  real!    Life  is  earnest! 

And  the  grave — is  not  its  goal ; 
Dust  thou  art,  to  dust  returnest, 

Was  not  spoken — of  the  soul. 
Not  enjoyment,  and  not  sorrotv, 

Is  our  destined  end  or  way  ; 
But  to  act,  that  each  Xo-morrow 

Finds  us  farther — than  Xo-day. 
Let  us,  then,  be  up  and  doing, 

With  a  heart  for  any  fate ; 
Still  achieving,  still  pursuing, 

Learn  to  labor,  and  to  ivait. 


104 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


294.  Emphasis— is  sometimes  exhibited 
by  changing  the  seal  of  accent.  1.  What  is 
done,  cannot  be  tmdone.  2.  If  he  did  not  do 
it  directly,  he  did  it  indirectly.  3.  There  are 
probably  as  many  invisible  as  visible  things. 
4.  Did  he  act  Aonestly,  or  dishonestly'.'  5. 
There  is  a  difference  between  giving,  and/or- 
giving.  6.  Does  he  speak  distinctly,  or  in- 
distinctly? 7.  Better  be  untaught  than  ill- 
taught;  and  better  be  alone,  than  in  bad 
company.  8.  He  that  ascended,  is  the  same 
as  he  that  descended.  9.  Pure  religion  rais- 
es men  above  themselves  ;  irreligion — sinks 
them  to  the  brute.  10.  Simi/itude— -joins ; 
dissimilitude — separates. 

295.  Emphasis — by  changing  the  seat  of 
accent,  in  words  of  the  same  structure,  and 
of  different  structure,  to  convey  the  full 
meaning.  1.  To  do,  and  to  un-do — is  the 
common  business  of  the  world.  2.  Reason, 
truth,  and  virtue — are  the  proper  measures 
of  praise,  and  dis-praise.  3.  Mind,  and  voice 
— act,  and  re-act  upon  one  another.  4.  We 
may  have  sen-sibility,  without  manifesting  ir- 
ritability. 5.  Some  things  are  convenient; 
while  others  are  in-convenient.  6.  It  is  ne- 
cessary to  observe  the  division,  and  the  sub- 
division. 7.  In  the  suitableness  or  wn-suit- 
ableness,  in  the  proportion  or  dis-proportion, 
which  the  desire  bears  to  the  cause,  and  the 
object,  consists  the  propriety,  or  i/n-propriety, 
the  decency,  or  in-decency — of  the  conse- 
quent action. 

296.  Dyspepsia.  Many  persons  of  the 
present  day  do  not  chew  their  food  like  a  man, 
but  bolt  it  whole,  like  a  boa-constrictor :  they 
neither  take  the  trouble  to  dissect,  nor  the 
time  to  masticate  it.  It  is  no  wonder  they 
lose  their  teeth,  for  they  rarely  use  them ;  and 
their  power  of  digestion,  for  they  exhaust  it 
by  overeating.  They  load  their  stomachs, 
as  a  drayman  does  his  cart,  as  full  as  it  will 
hold,  and  as  fast  as  they  can  pitch  it  in  ;  and 
then  complain  that  their  load  is  too  heavy. 

267.  Zo-ol-o-gy.  Almost  every  child — is 
a  naturalist :  hence,  among  the  earliest  plays 
of  childhood,  the  observation  of  the  habits  of 
different  animals,  holds  a  prominent  place. 
How  delighted  are  they  with  dogs,  cats,  calves, 
lambs,  sheep,  oxen,  and  horses!  What  a 
pity,  that  so  much  pains  should  be  taken  in 
an  imperfect  education,  to  sever  their  young 
minds  from  these  interesting  objects  ;  so  well 
calculated  to  induce  close  observation,  and 
open  new  fountains  in  the  youthful  mind ! 
But  how  greatly  are  these  studies  increased 
in  value,  by  adding  the  treasures  of  Botany, 
'  and  Mineralogy,  beautiful  flowers,  and  pre- 
cious stones .'  What  a  glorious  world,  and 
how  admirably  designed — to  aid  in  the  de- 
velopment of  body  and  mind. 

Eye  nature's  walks,  shootfolley,  as  it  flies, 
And  catch  the  manners — living,  as  they  rise. 


Proverbs.  1.  Many,  who  possess  much,  en- 
joy but  little.  2.  Never  sound  the  trumpet  of  your 
own/ante.  3.  Faction — is  the  bane  of  society. 
4.  Religious  contention — is  Satan's  harvest.  5. 
Sell  not  virtue  to  purchase  wealth.  G.  The  dis- 
course of  flatterers,  is  like  a  rope  of  honey.  7. 
Trtith  may  languish,  but  it  never  dies.  8.  Under- 
take— no  more  than  you  can  perform.  9.  Value  a 
good  conscience  more  than  praise.  10.  We  are 
bound  to  be  honest,  but  not  to  be  rich.  11.  He  is 
idle,  that  might  be  better  employed.  12.  The  more 
laws — the  more  offenders. 

Anecdote.  Sailor  and  Highwayman.  A 
stage — was  once  stopped  by  a  highwayman, 
who,  being  informed  by  the  driver,  that  there 
were  no  inside  passengers,  and  only  o?ie  on 
the  outside,  and  he  a  sailor, — the  robber  pro- 
ceeded to  exercise  his  functions  upon  the 
bold  and  honest  tar;  when,  waking  him  up, 
Jack  demanded  to  know  what  he  wanted :  to 
which  the  son  of  plunder  replied, — "Your 
money ;"  "  You  shan't  have  it,"  says  Jack. 
"  No  ?"  rejoined  the  robber,  '•  then  I'll  blow 
your  brains  out."  "  Blow  away,  then ;  I  may 
as  well  be  without  brains,  as  without  money. 
Drive  on,  coachee .'" 

Independence.  Always  form  your  own 
opinion  of  a  person,  and  never  allow  anoth- 
er, even  your  most  intimate  friend,  to  judge 
for  you ;  as  he  may  not  have  half  the  power 
of  discriminating  character,  that  you  yourself 
possess.  Never  allow  yourself  to  be  talked 
out  of  any  thing — against  your  better  judg- 
ment ;  nor  talked  into  any  thing ;  unless  you 
see  clearly,  that  the  reasons  advanced — are 
more  powerful  than  your  own. 

Varieties.  1 .  If  your  principles  are  false, 
no  apology  can  make  them  right ;  if  founded 
in  truth,  no  censure  can  make  them  wrong. 
2.  Do  your  best  to  do  your  best,  and  what 
you  lack  in  power,  supply  with  will.  3.  Ev- 
ery plant  that  is  produced,  every  child  that  is 
born,  is  a  new  idea ;  a  fresh  expression  of  the 
wisdom  and  goodness  of  our  Creator.  4. 
When  I  see  a  tight  laced  girl,  or  woman,  I 
think, — well,  there  goes  another  fool.  5.  Can 
one  passion,  though  it  predominate,  act  with- 
out assistance  of  the  other  passions  1  6.  The 
state  of  the  three  kingdoms  in  nature,  speak 
the  same  at  all  times ;  as  also  the  state  of  ev- 
ery nation,  and  what  is  passing  in  it;  all 
these  tilings  are  a  language,  as  are  also 
many  smaller  particulars,  tho'  attended  by 
none. 

There  will  come, 
Alike,  the  day  of  trial — unto  all, 
And  the  rude  icorld — will  buffet  us  ahKe  : 
Temptation — hath  a  music — for  all  ears ; 
And  mad  ambition — trumpeteth to  all; 
And  ungovernable  thought,  within, 
Will  be  in  every  bosom — eloquent: 
But,  when  the  silence — and  the  calm  come  on, 
And  the  high  seal — of  character — is  set, 
AVe  shall  not  all— be  similar. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


105 


298.  Emphasis,  by  changing  the  seat  of 
Accent,  and,  of  course,  the  Emphasis  too. 
1.  Does  he  pronounce  correctly,  or  incorrect- 
ly ?  2.  In  some  kinds  of  composition,  plaus- 
ibility is  deemed  as  essential  as  probability. 
3.  Does  that  man  speak  rationally,  or  irra- 
tionally T  4.  We  are  not  now  to  inquire 
into  the  Justice,  or  the  injustice,  the  honor, 
or  the  dishonor  of  the  deed;  nor  whether  it 
was  lawful,  or  unlawful,  wise,  or  unwise ; 
but,  whether  it  was  actually  committed.  5. 
He  who  is  good  before  invisible  witnesses,  is 
eminently  so  before  visible  ones.  6.  This 
corruptible — must  put  on  incorruption,  and 
this  mortal — immortality.  7.  What  fellow- 
ship hath  rig-A/eousness,  with  unrighteous- 
ness 1  or  what  communion  hath  light — with 
darkness?  8.  We  naturally  love  what  is 
agreeable,  and  hate  what  is  disagreeable. 

299.  It  is  surprising,  how  few,  even  of  our 
better  readers,  emphasize  the  right  words,  in 
a  proper  manner ;  this  is  more  especially  the 
case  in  reading,  than  in  speaking ;  and  yet 
children  emphasize,  correctly,  everything  that 
is  the  result  of  their  own  feelings  and 
thoughts.  Incorrect  emphasis,  always  per- 
verts the  sense ;  and,  to  the  hearer,  it  is  like 
directing  a  traveler  in  the  wrong  road.  Ex. 
1.  "Dr.  Syntax  told  Jack,  to  saddle  his  horse; 
and  Jack  saddled  him."  Thus  emphasized, 
there  is  no  possibility  of  doubt,  but  that  Jack 
— put  the  saddle  on  the  Doctor.  Place  the 
emphasis  on  saddled,  and  you  will  get  the 
true  meaning.  2.  Now,  therefore,  the  said 
John,  (says  the  said  Thomas,)  is  a  thief.  3. 
Now,  therefore,  the  said  John,  says  the  said 
Thomas  is  a  thief.  Apply  emphasis  in  a  va- 
riety of  ways,  to  other  examples. 

309.  Construction  of  Houses.  How 
little  attention  is  paid  to  the  construction 
of  our  dwellings.'  They  seem  to  be  built, 
principally,  for  their  looks;  and  without 
regard  to  health,  and  comfort.  Our  sleep- 
ing apartments  —  appear  to  be  of  second- 
ary consideration, :  they  are  generally  made 
small ;  are  poorly  ventilated,  with  low 
ceilings,  while  all  ingress  and  egress  of  air 
is  carefully  prevented.  It  would  be  much 
better  to  reverse  this  arrangement,  and  have 
oxxrdioelling  apartments  constructed  like  our 
sleeping  apartments;  for  the  former  are  often 
ventilated  through  the  day.  Beware  of  low 
stories,  or  low  ceilings:  houses  with  attic 
stories,  or  half  stories,  or  garrets,  used  for 
sleeping  or  study  rooms,  are  hot-beds  of  dis- 
ease and  death;  excellent  places,  with  the 
addition  of  highly  seasoned/ood,  and  a  plenty 
of  coffee,  to  generate  bilious  and  other  fevers. 
Fine  economy  this !  and  then  pay  the  physi- 
cian a  few  hundred  dollars  a  year,  to  cure,  or 
kill  you ! 

The  best — sometimes,  from  virtue's  path  recede; 

But  if  the  intent  be  good,  excuse  the  deed. 
14 


Proverbs.  1.  One  may  have  a  thousand  ac- 
quaintances, and  not  one  real  friend  among  them 
all.  2.  The  richer  a  country  is  in  talent,  and  good 
sense,  the  happier  will  it  be.  3.  Always  to  speak 
— what  we  think,  is  a  sure  way — to  acquire  the 
habit  of  thinking  and  acting  with  propriety.  4. 
All  finery — is  a  sign  of  littleness.  5.  In  proportion 
as  we  know  ourselves,  we  are  enabled  to  know 
others.  6.  The  government  —  and  people  —  should 
never  regard  each  other,  as  opposite  parties.  7. 
Time  and  labor — change  a mulberryAeai  into  satin. 
8.  As  virtue  —  is  its  own  reward ;  so  vice  —  is  its 
own  punishment.  9.  It  is  torture,  to  enemies,  to  re- 
turn their  injuries  with  kindness.  10.  Cast  thy 
bread  upon  the  ivaters  ;  for  thou  shalt  find  it,  after 
many  days.  11.  He,  may  find  fault,  who  cannot 
mend.  12.  A  bird  is  known  by  iu  note,  and  a  man 
— by  his  talk. 

Anecdote.  No  rank  in  life — precludes  the 
efficacy — of  a  well-timed  compliment.  When 
Queen  Elizabeth,  who  was  highly  accom- 
plished, both  in  mind  and  person,  asked  an 
embassador,  how  he  liked  her  ladies,  who  at- 
tended on  her ;  he  replied, "  It  is  hard  to  judge 
of  stars — in  presence  of  the  sun." 

An  Honest  Means  of  getting  aliiving. 
There  seems  to  be  but  three  ways  for  a  nation 
to  acquire  wealth;  the  first  is  by  war,  as  the 
Roma?is  did,  in  plundering  their  conquered 
neighbors, — this  is  robbery;  the  second,  by 
commerce,  which  is  generally  cheating ;  the 
third,  by  agriculture,  the  only  honest  way, 
wherein  a  man  receives  a  real  increase  of  the 
seed  thrown  into  the  ground,  in  a  kind  of 
continual  miracle,  wrought  by  the  hand  of 
God  in  his  favor,  as  a  reward  for  his  innocent 
life  and  his  virtuous  industry. 

"Varieties.  I.  Should  not  every  one  be- 
ware of  the  evils,  attendant  on  his  own  con- 
dition 7  2.  Children,  as  well  as  adults,  are 
benefitted  by  their  own  conjectures  and  reas- 
onings; even  about  things  and  principles. 
that  they  cannot  as  yet  comprehend.  3. 
What  does  education  mean,  but  the  regene- 
ration of  the  mind  ?  4.  The  present  families 
of  mankind — seem  but  the  ivrecks  and  ruins 
of  men ;  like  the  continents,  that  compose  the 
earth.  5.  How  apt  we  are  —  to  make  our- 
selves— the  measure  of  the  universe;  and 
with  the  span  of  one  life,  or  the  world's  his- 
tory, to  crowd  the  magnitude,  and  extent  of 
the  works  of  God  ;  these  are  but  parts — of 
one  stupendous  whole.  6.  Our  bodies  are 
new-formed  every  seven  years.  7.  Only,  that 
external  worship  is  profitable,  in  which  an 
internal  feeling,  and  a  sense  of  what  is  said 
and  done,  exists;  for  ivithout  such  sense,  it 
must  needs  be  merely  external. 
Lo!  like  a  glorious  pile  of  diamonds  bright 

Built  on  the  steadfast  cliff,  the  waterfall 
Pours  forth  its  gems  of  pearl  and  silver  light ; 

They  sink,  they  rise,  and,  sparkling,  cover  al! 
With  infinite  refulgence  :  while  its  song-, 
Sublime  as  thunder,  rolls  the  woods  along. 


106 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


301.  Emphasis  —  may  be  exhibited  by 
stress,  and  higher  pitch  :  that  is,  force  and 
loudness  of  voice,  and  elevation  to  the  upper 
notes  of  the  scale.  1.  Little  minds — are 
tamed — and  subdued — by  misfortunes;  but 
great  ones — rise  above  them.  2.  Vihtue 
— leads  to  happiness ;  vice — to  misery.  3. 
True  liberty — can  exist — only  where  jus- 
tice— is  impartially  administered.  4.  Tyr- 
anny— is  detestable — in  every  shape;  but  in 
none  so  formidable,  as  when  assumed  and 
exercised,  by  a  num  b  e  r  of  tyrants.   5.  Frown 

INDIGNANTLY,  UpOll  the  first  DAWNING Of 

an  attempt,  to  alienate  any  portion  of  this 
Union  from  the  rest:  the  Union — it  must 
be  preserved.  6.  Drunkenness — destroys 
more  of  the  human  race,  and  alienates  more 
property,  than  all  the  other  crimes  on  earth. 
7.  A  day,  an  hour — of  virtuous  liberty,  is 
worth  a  whole  eternity  in  bondage.  8.  I  tell 
you,tho'  (5)  you,-  tho'  all  the  (6)  world;  tho' 
an  angel  from  (8)  HEAVEN — declare  the 
truth  of  it,  I  could  not  believe  it.  N.  B.  The 
words  in  small  capitals  have  both  stress  and 
elevation. 

302.  Strong  Poots.  There  are,  in  all 
kinds  of  sentences,  paragraphs,  speeches, 
&c,  what  may  be  called  strong  points,  which 
are  to  be  shown,  principally,  by  the  voice: 
hence,  the  importance  of  throwing  all  weak 
parts  into  the  fcac/f-ground,  and  bringing  out 
the  strong  ones — into  the /ore-ground.  Now 
if  the  little  words,  that  are  insignificant,  are, 
in  their  pronunciation  and  delivery,  made 
significant,  the  proper  effect  will  be  destroy- 
ed. Therefore,  we  should  never  make  prom- 
inent such  words  as  are  not  emphatic ;  and 
especially,  such  words  as  at,  by,  of,  for,  from, 
in,  on,  up,  with,  &c,  unless  they  are  contras- 
ted with  their  opposites:  as — of,  or  for;  by, 
or  through;  from  or  to ,-  in  or  out ;  on,  or 
under  ;     up,  or  down,  &c. 

303.  Recitations.  Frequent  recitations, 
from  memory,  are  very  useful,  as  they  oblige 
the  speaker  to  dwell  on  the  ideas,  which  he 
wishes  to  express,  discern  their  particular 
meanings,  and  force,  and  give  him  a  know- 
ledge of  emphasis,  tones,  &c,  which  the 
pieces  require :  and  they  will  especially  re- 
lieve him  from  the  influence  of  school-boy  hab- 
its—of  reading  differently  from  conversation, 
on  similar  subjects,  and  afford  far  greater 
scope  for  expression  and  gestures. 

304.  Ethics.  Moral  Philosophy, — treats 
of  our  duties  to  our  Maker,  to  our  fellow- 
men,  and  to  ourselves ;  and  the  reasons  by 
which  those  duties  are  enforced.  Its  great 
object  seems  to  be — to  promote  the  cause  of 
virtue,  by  showing  its  reasonableness,  excel- 
lence and  beatify,  and  the  melancholy  effects 
of  neglecting  or  forsaking  it. 

Honor — is  an  hie, — whose  rocky  coast 
When  once  abandoned,  is  forever  lost. 


Proverbs.  1.  He,  who  goes  no  further  tnan 
bare  justice,  stops  at  the  beginning  of  virtue.  2. 
The  blameless— should  not  bear  the  effects  of  vice. 
3.  The  faults,  and  misfortunes  of  others,  should 
serve  as  beacons,  to  warn  us  against  the  causes, 
by  which  they  have  been  overwhelmed.  4.  Some 
— have  such  a  love  for  contention,  that  they  will 
quarrel,  even  with  a  friend,  for  a  matter  devoid  of 
all  importance.  5.  The  human  mind— can  ac- 
complish almost  any  thing  that  it  determines  to  ef- 
fect ;  for  patience,  and  perseverance,  surmount  every 
surmountable  difficulty.  6.  Keep  your  appetite— 
under  the  control  of  reason.  7.  The  indulgence 
of  a  satirical  disposition— is  always  dangerous  : 
it  betrays  a  malicious  spirit,  a  bad  heart,  and  of- 
ten creates  enmities,  and  dislikes,  that  no  lapse  of 
years  can  soften,  and  death — can  hardly  extinguish. 
8.  While  the  tongue  and  expression  of  some — 
seem  to  be  honied,  their  heart — abounds  with  vine- 
gar. 9.  Superfluity — often  leads  to  profusion.  10. 
Characters — in  every  other  respect  virtuous  and 
amiable,  if  tinged  with  haughtiness  and  reserve, 
become  odious.  11.  Solitude — dulls  thought;  too 
much  society — dissipates  it.  12.  The  longest  life — 
is  but  a  parcel  of  moments.  13.  Without  pru- 
dence, fortitude  is  mad. 

Anecdote.  A  paver,  who  had  often  dun- 
ned a  Doctor,  was  one  day  answered  by  him, 
— "  Do  you  pretend  to  be  paid  for  such  work  ? 
You  have  spoiled  my  pavement,  and  covered 
it  with  earth — to  hide  its  defects."  "  Mine  is 
not  the  only  bad  work,  that  the  earth  hides; 
as  your  practice  abundantly  proves," — re- 
joined the  man. 

Legendary  Tales.  In  countries,  where 
education  and  learning  abound,  legendary 
and  miraculous  tales  lose  ground;  exciting 
but  little  interest,  and  less  belief,  and  at  last 
almost  becoming  a  dead  letter.  Mankind,  in 
a  state  of  ignorance,  with  little  education, 
are  credulous,  and  fond  of  the  marvellous  ; 
and  there  have  not  been  wanting,  in  all  ages, 
men  of  craft  and  invention,  to  gratify  that 
passion  in  others,  and  turn  it  to  their  own 
advantage. 

"Varieties.  1.  The  Bible — has  truth  for 
its  subject,  the  mind  for  its  object,  and  the 
Father  of  mind  for  its  Author.  2.  Such  is  the 
arrangement  of  Divine  Order,  in  the  govern- 
ment of  the  universe ,  that  no  evil  can  beprac 
ticed,  or  intended,  without  eventually  falling 
on  the  contriver.  3.  A  knowledge  of  mans 
physical  organization,  as  well  as  mental,  is 
essentially  requisite  for  all,  who  would  suc- 
cessfully cultivate  the  field  of  education.  4. 
Experience — is  the  knowledge  of  every  thing 
in  the  natural  world,  that  is  capable  of  be- 
ing received  through  the  medium  of  the  senses. 
5.  Where  liberty  dwells,  there — is  my  coun- 
try. 6.  Intemperance — drives  wit  out  of  the 
head,  money  out  of  the  pocket,  elbows  out  of 
the  coat,  and  health  out  of  the  body.  7.  In 
the  choice  of  a  wife,  take  the  obedient  daugh' 
ter  of  a  good  mother. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


107 


305.  Emphasis  —  is  made,  secondly,  by 
quantity  and  force;  i.e.  prolongation  of 
sound,  and  stress  of  voice,  on  either  high,  low, 
or  medium  pitches.  1.  Roll  on, — thou  dark 
— and  deep  blue  ocean — roll  ;  Ten  thous- 
and fleets  sweep — over  thee  in  vain.  2. 
Let  our  object  be — our  country;  our  whole 
country;  and  nothing  but  —  our  country. 
3.  I  warn  you — do  not  dare — to  lay  your 
hand  on  the  constitution.  4.  Hail.'  Univer- 
sal Lord  !  Be  bounteous  still — to  give  us 
onlt  good  ;  and  if  the  night — have  gathered 
— aught  of  evil — or  concealed — disperse  it 
now,  as  light — dispels  the  dark,  5.  A  Deity 
— believed — is  joy  begun  ;  a  Deity — adored 
— is  joy  advanced, — a  Deity — beloved — 
is  joy  matured.  6.  Prayer — ardent — opens 
heaven,-  lets  down  a  stream  of  glory — on 
the  consecrated  hours  of  man, — in  uudience 
—with  the  Deitt.  N.  B.  The  first  Ex.  is 
an  instance  of  the  lowest  division  of  subjects 
— the  Natural;  the  second  and  third,  of  the 
middle  division — the  Human ;  and  the  fourth 
and  fifth,  of  the  upper — the  Divine :  see  pre- 
vious article  on  this  subject. 

306.  Sheridan,  of  whose  oratorical  pow- 
ers, every  elocutionist  has  heard,  after  having 
excited  a  great  interest  among  his  friends, 
who  were  filled  with  hope  at  his  prospects, 
made  a  signal  failure,  on  his  first  appearance 
in  Parliament;  insomuch,  that  he  was  en- 
treated never  to  make  another  attempt.  He 
nobly  replied — "  I  will ;  for  by  Heaven,  it  is 
in  me,  and  it  shall  come  out.'"  He  did  try, 
and  his  efforts  were  crowned  with  success. 
In  like  manner,  almost  every  orator  failed  at 
first ;  but  perseverance  made  them  more  than 
conquerors.  It  is  not  unfrequent  that  the 
most  abashed,  and  ill-omened,  succeed  the 
best.  Take  courage ;  let  your  motto  be  "  on- 
ward and  upward,  and  true  to  the  line." 

My  crown  is  in  my  heart, — not  on  my  head ; 
Nor  decked  with  diamonds,  and  Indian  stones  : 
Nor  to  be  seen  ;  my  crown — is  called — Content; 
A  crown  it  is — that  seldom  kings  enjoy. 
If  there  is  a  Power  above  us, 
(And  that  there  is — all  Nature — cries  aloud, 
Thro'  all  her  works,)  He — must  delight  in  virtue ; 
And  that  which  He  delights  in — must  be  happy. 
He  hath  a  heart — as  sound  as  a  bell, 
And  his  tongue — is  the  clapper  ; 
For  what  his  heart — thinks,  his  tongue — speaks. 
Where'er  thou  journeyest — or  whate'er  thy  care, 
My  heart  shall  follow,  and  my  spirit— share. 
5.  American  Literature — will  find,  that  the 
intellectual  spirit — is  her  tree  of  life  ;  and 
the  union  of  the  states, — her  garden  of 
Paradise.    6.  God — is  our  Father  ;  and  al- 
though we,  as  children,  may  be  ever  so 
guilty,  his  compassion  towards  us — fails  not ; 
and  he  will  pili/,  forgive,  and  counsel,  advise, 
teach,  and  lead  us  out  of  evil,  whenever  we 
sincerely  wish  it. 


Proverbs.     1.  A  desire  to  resist  oppression — 
is  implanted  in  the  rtaturt  of  man.    2.  The  faults 
and  errors  oCotliers,  are  lessons  of  caution— to  our- 
selves.   3.  No  shield  is  so  impenetrable,  no  security 
total,  ;<>  a  in  ml — conscious  of  its  innocence. 

4.  Our  most  delightful  enjoyments — are  always 
liable  to  interruption.  5.  If  our  passions  are  not 
kept  under  control,  they  will  soon  master  us.  6. 
Those  things  that  are  unbecoming,  are  unsafe.  7. 
Ardent  spirits — have  drowned  more  people,  than 
all  the  waters  in  the  world.  8.  He,  is  never  tired 
of  listening,  who  wishes  to  gain  wisdom.  9.  All 
true  religion  relates  to  life;  and  the  life  of  that  re- 
ligion is — to  do  good  from  a  love  of  it.  10.  A  wise 
man  is  a  great  wonder.  11.  Be  courteous  to  all, 
and  intimate  with  few.  12.  Defile  not  your  mouth 
with  swearing. 

Anecdote.  Laiu  Practice.  A  lawyer  told 
his  client,  that  his  opponent  —  had  removed 
his  suit  to  a  higher  court :  "  Let  him  remove 
it  where  he  pleases,  (quoth  the  client ;)  my 
attorney  will  follow  it — for  money." 

Common  Sense.  It  is  in  the  portico  of 
the  Greek  sage,  that  that  phrase  has  received 
its  legitimate  explanation  ;  it  is  there  we  are 
taught,  that  "  common  sense"  signifies  "  the 
sense  of  the  common  interest."  Yes !  it  is  the 
most  beautiful  truth  in  morals,  that  we  have 
no  such  thing  as  a  distinct  or  divided  interest 
from  our  race.  In  their  welfare  is  ours,  and 
by  choosing  the  broadest  paths  to  effect  their 
happinesss,  we  choose  the  surest  and  the 
shortest  to  our  own. 

Varieties.  1.  The  universe — is  an  em- 
pire; and  God — its  sovereign.  2.  The  smooth- 
ness of  flattery — cannot  now  avail, — cannot 
save  us,  in  this  rugged  and  awful  crisis.  3. 
I  had  much  rather  see  all — industrious  and 
enlightened, — than  to  see  one  half  of  man- 
kind— slaves  to  the  other,  and  these — slaves 
to  their  passions.  4.  The  condition  of  scof- 
fers, is  of  all — the  most  dangerous ;  as  well 
from  the  particular  state  of  mind,  that  consti- 
tutes their  character,  as  because  they  are  in- 
capable of  conviction — by  argument ;  who- 
ever knew  such  a  one  converted  to  the  truth? 

5.  Watch  against,  and  suppress — the  first 
motions  of  spiritual  pride  ;  such  as — prone- 
ness  to  think  too  highly  of  yourselves,  or  a 
desire  to  have  others  think  highly  of  you,  on 
account  of  your  spiritual  attainments.  6. 
How  many  villains — walk  the  earth  with 
credit,  from  the  mere  fulfilment  of  negative 
decencies.  7.  Study  history,  not  so  much  for 
its  political  events,  as  for  a  knowledge  of  hu- 
man nature. 

Away  !  away  to  the  mountain's  brow, 

Where  the  trees  are  gently  waving: 
Away  !  away  to  the  mountain's  brow, 

Where  the  stream  is  gently  laving. 
Away !  away  to  the  rocky  glen, 

Where  the  deer  are  wildly  bounding ; 
And  the  hills  shall  echo  in  gladness  again 

To  the  hunters  bugle  sounding. 


108 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


397.  Quantityand  Rhetorical 
Pause.  1.  Dwell  on  such  words  as  are  expres- 
sive of  the  kindlier  affections,  with  a  slow 
and  adhesive  movement  of  voice,  as  if  you 
parted  with  the  ideas  reluctantly.  2.  Very 
deliberate  subjects  require  more  or  less  of 
quantity  in  their  emphasis:  so  also  do  the 
sublime,  the  grand,  and  the  solemn  ;  partic- 
ularly, the  reverential,  the  grave ;  so  also  do 
earnest  entreaty,  prayer,  deep  pathos,  &c. 
Ex.  "Join — all  ye  creatures — to  extol — Him 
— first;  Him — last ;  Him — midst,  and — 
without  end."  "  O  Mary !  dear — departed 
shade,  Where  is  thy  place  of  blissful  rest  ? 
Seest  thou  thy  lover — lowly  laid!  Hcar'st 
thou  the  groans,  that  rend  his  breast?" 

308.  Read,  or  rather  speak  from  memory, 
these  lines  with  quantity,  and  on  the  lower 
pitches  of  voice. 

Night,  (sable  goddess)  from  her  ebon  throne, 
In  rayless  majesty,  now  stretches/or 
Her  leaden  sceptre — o'er  a  slumbering  world. 
Silence — how  dead.'  and  darkness — liow profound  : 
Nor  eye,  nor  listening  ear,  an  object  finds. 
Creation — sleeps.    'Tis — as  if  the  general  pulse 
Of  life — stood  still, — and  Nature — made  a. pause. 
An  awful  pause. — prophetic  of  her  end. 

309.  Important  Considerations.  If 
the  evils  of  tight  lacing,  and  tight  dressing 
could  only  stop  with  the  guilty,  one  consola- 
tion would  still  be  left  us ;  but  even  this  is 
denied  us :  no !  there  is  not  even  one  drop 
of  joy  to  be  cast  into  our  cup  of  bitterness — 
the  draught  is  one  of  unmingled  gall:  the 
human  form  divine  is  sadly  deformed;  the 
fountain  of  innumerable  evils  and  diseases  is 
opened  by  this  suicidal  practice  ;  and  thous- 
ands of  human  beings  are  yearly  coming 
into  life,  cursed  from  head  to  foot,  from  mind 
to  body,  with  the  awful  effects  of  this  infer- 
nal fashion,  which  originated  in  the  basest 
passions  of  the  human  heart.  Oh,  wlio  can 
measure  the  accumulating  woe,  which  this 
accursed  custom  has  entailed,  and  is  yet  en- 
tailing on  the  human  race  ! 

Anecdote.  To  prevent  Suicide.  A  Hi- 
bernian Senator,  speaking  on  the  subject  of 
preventing  suicide,  said, — "  The  only  way  / 
can  conceive,  of  stopping  the  business,  is, — 
to  make  it  a  capital  offence,  punishable  with 
death." 

O  how  weak 
Is  mortal  man  .'  How  trifling — how  confin'd 
His  scope  of  vision  .' — PufTd  with  confidence, 
Ills  phrase — grows  big  with  immortality; 
And  he,  poor  insect  of  a  summer's  day, 
Dreams  of  eternal  honors  to  his  name  ; 
Of  endless  glory,  and  perennial  bays. 
He  idly  reasons  of  Eternity, 
As  of  the  train  of  ages, — when,  alas ! 
Ten  thousand  thousand  of  his  centuries 
Are,  in  Comparison,  a  little  point, 
Too  trivial  for  account. 

Unlearn  the  evils  you  have  learned. 


Proverbs.  1.  You  cannot  appease  envy 
even  by  sacrificing  virtue.  2.  The  envious  man 
grows  base,  by  contemplating  the  success  of  an- 
other.  3.  A  government,  that  undervalues  the  af- 
fections of  the  people,  and  expects  to  find  a  firm 
basis  in  terrors,  will  be  mistaken,  and  short-lived. 
4.  He,  who  passes  over  a  crime,  unreproved,  or 
unpunished,  encourages  its  repetition.  5.  He. 
who  controls  his  passions,  subdues  his  greatest 
enemy.  6.  He,  alone  is  wise,  that  can  adapt  him- 
self to  all  the  contingencies  of  life;  but  ihefool— 
vainly  contends,  and  struggles  against  the  stream. 
7.  The  ways  of  the  lazy — are  as  a  hedge  of 
thorns.  8.  To  a  lazy  man — every  exertion  is  pain- 
ful, and  every  movement  a  labor.  9.  Innocence — 
and  mysteriousness — seldom  dwell  together.  10.  It 
is  folly — to  expect  justice — at  the  hands  of  the 
unjust.  11.  Great  are  the  charms  of  novelty.  12. 
Custom — is  no  small  matter.  13.  Consider  thy 
ways,  and  he  icise. 

Humbugs.  All  new  developments  of 
truth — are  called,  by  many,  who  do  not  ap- 
preciate them,  or  dare  to  think  and  act  for 
themselves — "  Humbugs  :*'  and  this  dreadful 
name — has  no  doubt  had  the  effect — to  lead 
some — to  condemn  them,  without  further  in- 
quiry. But  the  worst  of  all  humbugs,  the. 
most  deplorable  of  all  delusions — is  that, 
which  leads  men  to  shut  their  eyes  to  the 
truth,  lest  they  should  be  laughed  at — for 
acknowledging  it 

Varieties.  1.  Is  not  this  world — a  world 
of  dreams,  and  the  spirit-world — a  world  of 
realities?  2.  Some  are  only  in  the  love  of 
knowing  what  is  good,  and  true;  others,  of 
understanding  them;  and  others — of  living 
according  to  them ;  to  which  class  do  I  be- 
long 1  3.  Xerxes — whipped  the  sea,  because 
it  would  not  obey  him.  4.  That,  which  some 
people  pride  themselves  in,  often  becomes 
the  cause  of  their  undoing ;  and  what  they 
very  much  dislike,  becomes  the  only  thing 
that  saves  them.  5.  Possession — is  eleven 
points  of  the  law  .-  hence,  never  let  a  valua- 
ble thing  go  out  of  your  possession,  without 
an  ample  security.  6.  The  world  below — 
is  a  glass,  in  which  we  may  see  the  world 
above :  remove  the  vail,  and  see  where  spirit. 
and  matter  are  connected.  7.  The  heart-Mt 
prayer,  only,  is  available ;  and  to  produce  it, 
there  must  be  deep-felt  want ;  and  the  strong- 
er it  operates,  the  more  perfect,  and  accepta- 
ble must  be  the  prayer. 

"  Oh  !  tell  me,  step-dame  Nature,  tell, 
Where  shall  thy  wayward  child  abide? 

On  what  fair  strand  his  spirit  dwell, 
When  Jr/ehas  spent  its  struggling  tide? 

Shall  hope  no  more  her  taper  burn, 

Queneh'd — in  the  tears  that  sorrow  sends? 

Nor  from  Ihe  feast,  misfortune  spurn 
The  wishful  wretch,  that  o'er  it  bends  ?" 

"  Can  storied  urn,  or  animated  bust, 

Back  to  its  mansion,  call  the  fleeting  breath* 

Can  honor's  voice — provoke  the  silent  dust? 
Or flatfry  soothe  the  dull,cold  esr  of  death? 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


109 


310.  Emphasis— by  prolongation,  and  de- 
pressed monotone :  that  is,  quantity  of  voice 
on  the  first,  second,  or  third  note:  it  is  some- 
times used  in  the  grave  and  sublime,  and  pro- 
duces astonishing  effects.  Monotony— occurs 
when  the  voice  is  inflected  neither  up  nor 
down,  but  is  confined  to  a  few  words.    The 

figures  refer  to  the  notes  of  the  diatonic 
scale.  The  following  free  translation  of  a 
paragraph  from  one  of  Cicero's  orations,  will 
serve  as  a  good  illustration :  but  no  one 
should  attempt  it,  without  committing  it  to 
memory. 

311.  (Commence  ox  the  fourth  note.) 
"  I  appeal  to  you — 0  ye  hills,  and  groves  of 
(5)  Alba,  and  your  demolished  (6)  altars!  I 
call  you  to  (8)  witness!  (4)  whether  your 
(5)  altars,  your  (6)  divinities,  your  (3)  pow- 
ers !  (5)  which  Clodius  had  polluted  with  all 
kindsof  (6)  wickedness,  (5)  did  not  (4)  avenge 
themselves,  when  this  wretch  was  (3)  extir- 
pated. (1)  And  thou,  0  holy  (2)  Jupiter!  (3) 
from  the  (4)  height  of  this  (5)  sacred  (6) 
mount,  whose  lakes — and  groves — he  had  so 
often  (3)  contaminated.'''' 

COLUMBIA!  Columbia!  to  glory  arise. 

The  queen  of  the  world,  and  the  child  of  the  skies ; 

Thy  genius  commands  thee  ;  with  rapture  behold, 

While  ages — on  ages  thy  splendors  unfold. 

Thy  reign  is  the  last— and  the  noblest  of  time ; 

Most  fruitful  thy  soil,  most  inviting  thy  clime; 

Let  the  crimes  of  the  east— ne'er  encrimson  thy  name  ; 

Be  freedom,  and  science,  and  virtue— thy  fame. 

'iVi.  The  only  way  in  which  children,  or 
adults,  can  be  taught  to  read,  or  speak,  natu- 
rally, is — to  memorize  short  or  longer  sen- 
tences, and  deliver  them  in  a  perfectly  intelli- 
gent, impressive,  and  unrestrained  manner. 
Abcdarians:  first  teach  them  the  sounds  of 
the  vowels;  then  of  the  consonants,  inter- 
spersing the  exercises  with  select,  or  original 
sentences.  Ex.  "  Time  and  tide — wait  for 
no  man."  Or,  if  it  is  a  rainy  day,  "  This  is 
a  very  rainy  day."  If pleasant,  "This  is  a 
delightful  day."  Which  sentences,  after  be- 
ing recited  in  concert,  should  be  spoken  by 
the  class  individually.  In  this  way,  even 
small  children  may  be  taught  a  great  variety 
of  things,  natural  and  spiritual  ,■  and  an  im- 
mense field  of  usefulness  opened  before  the 
rnind  of  the  real  teacher :  i.  e.  one  who  teach- 
es from  the  love  of  teaching ;  and  no  others 
should  engage  in  it. 

IVotes.  1.  Remember — the  figures,  placed  before  words  in 
sentences,  indicate  the  pitch  of  voice,  and  have  reference  to  the 
diatonic  note;  they  are  aids  to  break  up  the  monotonous  delivery. 
2.  Still  continue  your  efforts  to  smooth  the  apparent  roughness  of 
the  notations,  in  regard  to  the  dash,  (— )  pauses,  (,;:?!)  and 
Empluisis :  glide  out  of  the  mechanical  into  the  natural. 

There  is,  in  every  human  heart, 
Some — not  completely  barren  part, 
Where  seeds  of  truth — and  love  might  grow, 
And  flowers — of  generous  virtue  blow  ; 
To  plant,  to  watch,  to  water  there — 
This — be  our  duty,  and  our  care. 

K 


Proverbs.  1.  A  mind  cotiscious  of  its  integ- 
rity,— is  a  most  noble  possession.  2.  In  acquir- 
ing knowledge,  consider  how  you  may  render  it 
useful  to  society.  3.  Avoid  undue  excitement  on 
trivial  occasions.  4  When  engaged  in  a  good 
cause,  never  look  back.  5.  Poverty — is  no  excuse 
for  sinning.  6.  Never  repeat  in  one  company, 
what  is  said  in  another;  for  all  conversation,  is 
tacitly  understood — to  be  confidential.  7.  Let 
reason — go  before  every  enterprise,  and  counsel — 
before  every  action.  8.  Look  on  slanderers — as 
enemies  to  society  ;  as  persons  destitute  of  honor, 
honesty,  and  humanity.  9.  Divisions,  and  con- 
tentions— are  upheld  by  pride,  and  self-love.  10. 
Patience,  when  subjected  to  trials  that  are  too 
severe,  is  sometimes  converted  into  rage.  11. 
Avoid  match-makers.  12.  Virtue  —  is  often 
laughed  at. 

Anecdote.  Lord  Albermarle — was  the 
lover  of  Mademoiselle  Gaucher,  (Gavf-shay.) 
As  they  were  walking  together  one  evening, 
he  perceived  her  eyes  fixed  on  a  star,  and 
said  to  her  "  Do  not  look  at  it,  my  dear ,-  I 
cannot  give  it  you."  ''Never,"  says  Mar- 
monfel,  "  did  love — express  itself  more  deli- 
cately." 

Law — is  law — law — is  law;  and  as  in 
such,  and  so  forth,  and  hereby, and  aforesaid, 
provided  always,  nevertheless,  notwithstand- 
ing. Law — is  like  a  country  dance;  people 
are  led  up  and  down  in  it,  till  they  are  tired. 
Law — is  like  a  book  of  surgery  ;  there  are  a 
great  many  desperate  cases  in  it  It  is  also 
like  physic  ;  they  that  take  the  least  of  it,  are 
best  off.  Law — is  like  a  homely  gentlewo- 
man, very  well  to  follow.  Law — is  also  like 
a  scolding  wife,  very  bad  when  it  follows  us. 
Law — is  like  a  new  fashion,  people  are  be- 
witched to  get  into  it:  it  is  also  like  bad 
weatlier,  most  people  are  glad  when  they  get 
out  of  it. 

Varieties.  1.  Are  we  not  apt  to  be  proud 
of  that,  which  is  not  our  own  ?  2.  It  is  a  less 
crime — to  gnaw  a  man's  fingers  with  your 
teeth,  than  to  mangle  his  reputation  with 
your  tongue.  3.  It  is  better  to  yield  grace- 
fully, than  to  be  held  up  as  a  spectacle  of 
vanquished,  yet  impertinent  obstinacy.  4. 
Really  learned  persons — never  speak  of  hav- 
ing finished  their  education:  for  they  con- 
tinue  students,  as  long  as  they  live.  5.  Equivo- 
cation— is  a  mere  expedient — to  avoid  telling 
the  truth,  without  verbally  telling  a  lie.  6. 
True  philosophy  and  contempt  of  the  Deity, 
are  diametrically  opposed  to  each  other.  7. 
Sensual  good,  has  sensual  truth  for  its  object; 
natural  good  has  an  order  of  natural  truth, 
and  spiritual  good  has  spiritual  truth, agree- 
ing with  the  spiritual  sense  of  the  Bible. 
No  flocks,  that  range  the  valley  free, 

To  slaughter — do  I  condemn  : 
Taught  by  that  power,  that  pities  me, 
I  learn  to  pity  them. 


110 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


313.  Rules.  It  is  impossible  to  give 
rules — for  reading  every  sentence,  or  indeed 
any  sentence ;  much  more  is  left  to  the  pupil, 
than  can  be  written.  All  that  is  here  at- 
tempted— is,  a  meagre  outline  of  the  subject; 
enough,  however,  for  every  one  who  is  deter- 
mined to  succeed,  and  makes  the  necessary 
application  ,•  and  too  much  for  such  as  are 
of  an  opposite  character.  The  road  is  point- 
ad  out,  and  all  the  necessaries  provided  for 
the  journey  ;  but  each  must  do  the  traveling, 
or  abide  the  consequences.  Be  what  ought 
to  be,  and  success  is  yours. 

(3)  No  radiant  pearl,  which  crested  fortune  wears, 

(4)  No  gem,  that  twinkling,  hangs  from  beauty's  ears: 

(5)  Nor  the  bright  stars,  which  night's  blue  arch  adorn, 

(6)  Nor  rising  sun — that  gilds  the  eternal  morn, — 
(8)  Shine — with  such  lustre,  as  the  tear  that  breaks, 
(6)  For  other's  woe,  down  virtues  manly  cheek. 

In  reading,  (rather  reciting)  these  beautiful 
lines,  the  voice  commences,  as  indicated  by 
the  figures,  gradually  rises,  then  yields  a  lit- 
tle; till  it  comes  to  the  word  'shine,'  which 
is  on  the  8th  note ;  and  then  it  gradually  de- 
scends to  the  close;  because  such  are  the 
thoughts,  and  the  feelings.  Get  the  inside  ,■ 
never  live  out  of  doors ;  grasp  the  thoughts, 
and  then  let  the  words  flow  fromfeeling. 

314.  Opening  the  Mouth.  This  is 
among  the  most  important  duties  of  the  elo- 
cutionist, and  singer ,-  more  fail  in  this  par- 
ticular, than  in  any  other:  indistinctness  and 
stammering  are  the  sad  effects  of  not  open- 
ing the  mouth  wide  enough.  Let  it  be  your 
first  object  to  obtain  the  proper  positions  of 
the  vocal  organs:  for  which  purpose,  practice 
the  vocal  analysis,  as  here  presented.  The 
first  effort  is — separating  the  lips  and  teeth ; 
which  will  not  only  enable  you  to  inhale  and 
exhale  freely,  through  the  nose,  when  speak- 
ing and  singing,  but  avoid  uneasiness  in  the 
chest,  and  an  unpleasant  distortion  of  the  fea- 
tures. The  second  is,  a  simultaneous  action 
of  the  lips,  teeth,  and  tongue:  let  these  re- 
marks be  indelibly  stamped  upon  your 
memory  ;  for  they  are  of  immense  practical 
importance. 

Anecdote.  Alexander  and  the  Pirate. 
We  too  often  judge  of  men — by  the  splendor, 
and  not  the  merit  of  their  actions.  Alexan- 
der— demanded  of  the  Pirate,  whom  he  had 
taken,  by  what  right — he  infested  the  seas  ? 
"By  the  same  right,"  replied  he  boldly, 
"  that  you  enslave  the  world,  I — am  called  a 
robber,  because  I  have  only  one  small  vessel  ,■ 
but  you — are  called  a  conqueror,  because  you 
command  grent  fleets  and  navies.'" 
The  best  contrived  deceit — 

Will  hurt  its  own  contriver ; 
And  perfidy — doth  often  cheat — 
Its  author's  purse — of  every  stiver. 
The  man,  that's  resolute,  and  ./'«*/, 
Firm  to  his  principles — and  trust, 
Nor  hopes,  nor  fears, — can  bind. 


Proverbs.  1.  A  great  fortune,  in  the  hands 
otnfool,  is  a  great  mis-fortune.  2.  Too  many 
resolve,  then  re  resolve,  and  die  the  same.  3. 
Never  give  the  tongue  full  liberty,  hut  keep  it 
under  control.  4.  Chttractii — is  the  measure  of 
man  and  woman.  5.  We  may  die  of  a  surf  tit,  as 
well  as  of  hunger.  G.  Truth — is  an  ornament, 
and  an  instrument.  7.  If  we  meet  evil  company, 
it  is  no  reason  we  should  keep  it.  8.  Provide 
for  the  worst,  hut  hope  for  the  best.  9.  Though 
he  is  wise,  that  can  teach  the  most,  yet  he,  that 
learns,  and  practices  what  he  learns,  is  wiser. 
10.  Never  be  without  good  books.  II.  Time — 
is  the  herald  of  truth.  12.  Manners  make  the 
man.  13.  Dissembled  holiness,  is  double  ini- 
quity. 14.  Conscience  —  is  in  the  chamber  of 
justice. 

Oratory.  Eloquence — may  be  considered 
as  the  soul,  or  animating  principle  of  dis- 
course; and  is  dependent  on  intellectual 
energy,  and  intellectual  attainments.  Elo- 
cution— is  the  embodying  form,  or  represen- 
tative power ;  dependent  on  exterior  accom- 
plishments, and  on  the  cultivation  of  the  or- 
gans. Oratory — is  the  complicated  and  vital 
existence,  resulting  from  the  perfect  harmony 
and  combination  of  Eloquence  and  Elocution. 

Varieties.  1 .  Is  there  not  the  same  dif- 
ference— between  actual  and  hereditary  evil, 
as  between  an  inclination  to  do  a  thing,  and 
the  commission  of  the  act  ?  2.  Whoever  has 
nattered  his  friend  successfully,  must  at  once 
think  himself  &  knave,  and  his  friend  a  fool. 

3.  Unfriended,  indeed,  is  he,  who  has  no 
friend  good  enough — to  tell  him  his  faults. 

4.  If  those,  who  are  called  good  singers, 
were  as  sensible  of  their  errors  in  reading,  as 
they  would  be,  if  similar  ones  were  made 
in  their  singing,  they  would  be  exceedingly 
mortified,  and  chagrined.  5.  The  sacred 
light  of  Scripture — should  be  shed  upon  the 
canvas  of  the  ivorld's  history,  as  well  as  on 
that  of  humanity.  6.  The  theology  of  crea- 
tion— was  revealed  to  the  earliest  ages  ;  and 
the  science  of  creation,  is  now  beginning  to 
be  revealed  to  Us.  7.  What  is  most  spiritual 
— is  most  rational,  if  rightly  understood  ; 
and  it  also  admits  of  a  perfect  illustration — 
by  rational  and  natural  things:  to  follow 
God,  and  to  follow  right — and  pure  reason, 
is  all  one  ;  and  we  never  give  offence  to  Him, 
if  we  da  that,  which  such  a  reason  requires. 

THE  PROGRESS  OF  LIFE. 
I  dreamed — I  saw  a  little  rosy  child, 

With  flaxen  ringlets — in  a  garden  playing  ; 

Now  stopping  here,  and  then  afar  o_£/"  straying, 
As  flower,  or  butt  crfly— his  feet  beguiled. 

Twas  changed.  One  summer's  day  I  stept  aside, 
.To  let  him  pass  ;  his  race — and  manhood  seeming, 
And  that  full  eye  of  blue — was  fondly  beaming 

On  a  fair  maiden,  whom  he  called  "  his  Bride  /" 
Once  more  ;  'twas  autu-mn,  and  the  cheerful  fire 

I  saw  a  group — if  youthful  forms  surrounding, 

The  room — with  harmless  pleasantry  resounding, 
And,  in  the  midst,  I  marked  the  smiling  Sire. 

The  heavens  were  clouded  !  and  I  heard  the  tone, 

Of  a  slow — moving  bell — the  white  haired  man  was  gone. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


Ill 


315.  As  Emphasis  is  the  same  thing  as 
Accent,  only  more  of  it ;  so,  it  is  inseparably 
connected  with  the  Pauses;  indeed,  what- 
ever distinguishes  one  word  from  the  others, 
may  be  called  Emphasis;  which  is  some- 
times only  another  name  for  Expression :  it 
is,  at  least,  one  of  the  mediums  of  expression. 
Hence,  Emphasis  is  often  exhibited  in  con- 
nection with  a  Rhetorical  Pause,  placed  be- 
fore, or  after,  emphatic  words,  which  may 
beelevated,  or  depressed, -with  force  and  quan- 
tity, according  to  sentiment.  When  this 
pause  is  made  after  the  important  word,  or 
words,  it  causes  the  mind  to  revert  to  what 
was  last  said ;  and  when  it  is  made  before 
such  word,  the  mind  is  led  to  anticipate 
something  worthy  of  particular  attention. 
The  book  is  full  of  illustrations. 

316.  Ex.  1.  Benevolence — is  one  of  the 
brightest  gems — in  the  crown  of  christian  per- 
fection. 2.  Melody — is  an  agreeable  succes- 
sion of  sounds;  Harmony — an  agreeable 
concordance  of  sounds.  3.  Homer — was  the 
greater  genius ;  Virgil — the  better  artist  : 
in  one,  we  most  admire  the  main ;  in  the  other 
— the  work  ;  Homer — hurries  us  with  com1- 
manding  impetuosity  ;  Virgil — leads  us  with 
an  attractive  majesty.  Homer — scatters  with 
a  generous  profusion ;  Virgil — bestows,  with 
a  careful  magnificence.  4.  What  man  could 
do,  is  done  already  ;  (8)  Heaven  —  and  (5) 
earth — will  witness, — if — R-o-m-e — m-u-s-t 
f-a-ll, — that  we  are  innocent. 

Note.  Prolong  the  words  with  the  hyphens  between  the 
letters. 

317.  Political  Economy — teaches  us 
to  investigate  the  nature,  sources,  and  proper 
uses  of  national  ivealth ;  it  seems  to  bear  the 
same  relation  to  the  whole  country,  that  Do- 
mestic Economy  does  to  an  individual  fami- 
ly: for,  tho'  it  generally  relates  to  the  ivealth 
of  nations,  it  leads  us  to  examine  many  points 
of  comfort  and  well-being,  that  are  closely 
connected  with  the  acquisition,  and  expendi- 
ture of  property.  Its  connection  with  le'gis- 
lation  and  government  are  self-evident ;  yet 
every  one  may  derive  important  lessons,  from 
a  knowledge  of  its  facts-arid  principles. 

Anecdote.  All  have  their  Care.  Two 
merchants,  conversing  together  about  the 
hardness  of  the  times,  and  observing  a  flock 
of  pigeons,  one  said  to  the  other, — "How 
happy  those  pigeons  are !  tliey  have  no  bills 
and  acceptances  to  provide  for."  "  Indeed," 
said  the  other, "  you  are  much  mistaken ;  for 
they  have  their  bills  to  provide  for  as  well  as 
we." 

When  adverse  winds — and  rvaves  arise, 
And  in  my  heart — despondence  sighs; 
When  life — her  throng  of  cares  reveals, 
And  weakness — o'er  my  spirit  steals, 
Grateful — I  hear  the  kind  decree, 
"  That,  as  my  day,  my  strength — shall  be." 


Proverbs.  1.  Nothing  overcomes  passion — 
sooner  than  silence.  2.  Precepts — may  lead,  but 
examples — draw.  3.  Rebel  not  against  the  dictates 
of  reason  and  conscience.  4.  Sincerity — is  the  pa- 
rent of  truth.  5.  The  loquacity  of  fools — is  a  lec- 
ture to  the  wise.  6.  Unruly  passions — destroy  the 
peace  of  the  soul.  7.  Valor — can  do  but  little, 
without  discretion.  8.  Modesty— -is  one  of  the  chief 
ornaments  of  youth.  9.  Never  insult  the  poor; 
poverty — entitles  one  \o  our  pity.  10.  Our  reputa- 
tion, virtue,  and  happiness — greatly  depend  on  the 
choice  of  our  companions.  11.  Wisdom — is  the 
greatest  wealth.    12.  Pride — is  a  great  thief. 

Laconics.  No  more  certain  is  it,  that  the 
flower  was  made  to  waft  perfume,  than  that 
woman's  destiny — is  a  ministry  of  love ,  a  life 
of  the  affections. 

Varieties.  1.  Those  authors,  (says  Dr. 
Johnson,)  are  to  be  read  at  school,  that  supply 
most  axioms  of  prudence,  and  most  principles 
of  moral  truth.  2.  The  little  and  short  say- 
ings of  wise  and  excellent  men,  (saith  Bishop 
Tillotson,)  are  of  great  value ;  like  the  dust 
of  gold,  or,  the  least  sparks  of  diamonds.  3. 
The  idle,  who  are  wise  rather  for  this  world 
than  the  next,  are  fools  at  large.  4.  Let  all 
your  precepts  be  succint,  and  clear,  that 
ready  wits  may  comprehend  them.  5.  None 
— better  guard  against  a  cheat,  than  he,  who 
is  a  knave  complete.  6.  Scarcely  an  ill — to 
human  life — belongs ;  but  what  our  follies 
cause,  or  mutual  wrongs.  7.  What  our  Lord 
said  to  all,  is  applicable  to  all,  at  all  times ; 
namely,  "  watch,v — and  it  appears  to  relate 
to  the  admission  of  every  thought  and  desire, 
into  the  mind. 

THE  MOTHER  PERISHING  IN  A  SNOW-STORM. 
"  In  the  year  1821,  a  Mrs.  Blake  perished  in  a  snow-storm  in  the 
night-time,  while  traveling  over  a  spur  of  the  Green  Mountains 
in  Vermont  She  had  an  infant  with  her,  which  was  found  alive 
and  well  in  the  morning,  being  carefully  wrapped  in  the  mother'* 
clothing." 

The  cold  winds — swept  the  mountain's  height, 

And  pathless — was  the  dreary  wild, 
And,  'mid  ihe  cheerless  hours  of  night, 

A  mother  wander'd — with  her  child : 
As  through  the  drifting  snow  she  press'd, 
The  babe — was  sleeping — on  her  breast. 
And  colder  still  the  winds  did  blow, 

And  darker  hours  of  night  came  on, 
And  deeper  grew  the  drifting  snow : 

Her  limbs — were  chiWd,  her  strength — wasgoru  ' 
"Oh,  God!"  she  cried,  in  accents  wild, 
;'  If /must  perish,  save  my  child!" 
She  stripp'd  her  mantle  from  her  breast, 

And  bared  her  bosom  to  the  storm, 
And  round  the  child — she  wrapped  the  vest, 

And  smiled — to  think  her  babe  was  warm. 
With  one  cold  kiss — one  tear  she  shed, 
And  sunk — upon  her  snowy  bed. 
At  dawn — a  traveler  passed  by, 

And  saw  her — 'neath  a  snowy  vail; 
The  frost  of  death — was  in  her  eye, 

Her  cheek  was  cold,  and  hard,  and  pale; 
He  moved  the  robe  from  off  the  child, 
I  The  babe  look'd  up — and  sweetly  smiled ' 


112 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


318.  Emphasis,  in  connection  with  the 
Rhetorical  Pause.  I.  A  friend — cannot  be 
known — in  prosperity ;  and  an  enemy  can- 
not be  hidden — in  adversity. 

Passions — are  winds — to  urge  us  o'er  the  wave, 
Reason — the  rudder — to  direct — or  save. 

He — raised  a  mortal — to  the  skies, 

She — drew  an  angel — down. 
4.  Charity — suflereth  long,  and  is  (3)  kind :  (4) 
charity — envieth  not ;  (5)  charity — vaunieth 
not  itself;  (3)  is  not  puffed  up,-  (4)  doth  not 
behave  itself  (5)  unseemly  ,•  (6)  seeketh  not 
her  own  ;  (5)  is  not  easily  (4)  provoked  ;  (3) 
thinketh  no  evil;  (5)  rejoiceth — not  in  (4) 
iniquity,  but  (5)  rejoiceth  in  the  truth  ;  (4) 
beareth  all  things ;  (5)  believeth  all  things,  (6) 
hopeth  all  things;  (7)  endureth  all  things; 
(6)  charity — (S)  never  faileth. 

319.  The  Three  Degrees  of  Speech. 
There  are  three  different  modes  in  which  one 
may  read  and  speak ;  only  two  of  which,  un- 
der any  circumstances,  can  be  right.  The 
first  is — reading  and  speaking  by  word, 
without  having  any  regard  to  the  sentiment ; 
the  second  is — reading  or  speaking  only  by 
word  and  thought ;  and  the  third  is — read- 
ing and  speaking  by  word,  thought  and  feel- 
ling — all  combined,  and  appropriately  man- 
ifested. In  the  Greek  language,  we  find  these 
three  modes  definitly  marked  by  specific 
words,  such  as  lalteo,  eipo  and  EIRO.  Chil- 
dren are  usually  taught  the  first,  instead  of 
the  third,  and  then  the  second  and  third — 
combined:  hence,  very  few  of  them  ever 
have  any  conception  of  the  meaning  of  the 
words  they  use,  or  of  the  subject  matter  about 
which  they  are  reading :  they  seem  to  regard 
these  as  something  foreign  to  the  object. 
Here  we  again  see  the  natural  truth  of  an- 
other scripture  declaration:  "The  letter  kil- 
leth :  the  spirit  giveth  life." 

And  from  the  prayer  of  want,  the  plaint  of  woe  ; 
Oh  !  never,  never — turn  away  thine  ear  : 
Forlorn,  in  this  bleak  wilderness  below,  [hear. 

Ah  !  what  were  man,  should  Heaven — refuse  to 
To  others  do — (the  law  is  not  severe;) 
What— to  thyself — thou  wishest  to  be  done; 
Forgive  ihy  foes,  and  love  thy  parents  dear, 
And  friends  and  native  land  ;  nor  those  alone, {oum. 
All  human  iveal,  or  woe,  learn  thou  to  make  thine 
Anecdote.    Mahomet — made   his  people 
believe,  that  he  would  call  a  hill  to  him ;  and, 
from  the  top  of  it,  offer  up  his  prayers  for  the 
observers  of  his  law.  The  people  assembled ; 
Mahomet  called  the  hill  again  and  again  to 
come  to  him ;  and  the  hill  not  moving,  he 
was  not  at  all  abashed  at  it ;  but  put  it  off 
with  a  jest;  saying — "If  the  hill  will  not 
iOome  to  Mahomet,  he — will  go  to  the  hill." 

When  people— once  are  in  the  wrong, 

Eaeh  line  they  add — is  much  too  long  ; 

Who  fastest  walks,  but  walks  astray, 

Is  only  furthest — from  his  way. 


Proverbs.  1.  Every  thing — tends  to  educate 
us.  2.  Always  have  a  good  object  in  view.  3.  Ac- 
tions— should  be  led  by  knowledge  ;  and  knowledge 
followed  by  actions.  4.  It  is  better  to  be  saved,  with- 
out a  precedent,  than  damned  by  example.  5.  There 
is  no  security  among  evil  companions.  G.  Never  be 
unwilling  to  teach,  if  you  knoiv ;  nor  ashamed  to 
learn,  if  you  can.  7.  Better  yourself  when  young; 
you  will  want  rest  in  old  age.  8.  When  you  find 
yourself  inclined  to  be  angry,  speak  in  a  low  tone 
of  voice.  9.  Bear — and  forbear — is  excellent  phi- 
losophy. 10.  Seek — and  practice — the  truth,  and 
you  are  made— forever.  11.  Lookers  on  see,  more 
than  players.    12.  Wake  not  a  sleeping  lion. 

Laconics.  Sincerity — should  be  the  pru- 
mng-knife  of  friendship,  and  not  the  mon- 
ster scythe — of  an  unfeeling  rudeness,  which, 
for  one  weed  that  it  eradicates,  mows  down  a 
dozen  of  those  tender  flowers,  which  bloom — 
only  on  our  affections. 

Varieties.  1.  Our  Orators,  (says  Cicero,) 
are,  as  it  were,  the  actors  of  truth  itself,- 
and  the  players  are  the  imitators  of  truth. 
2.  Whence  this  disdain  of  life,  in  every 
breast,  but  from  a  notion — on  their  minds 
impress'd,  that  all,  who,  for  their  country  die, 
are  bless'  d.  3.  You'll  find  the  friendship  of 
the  world — is  show ;  all — outward  show. 
4.  Errors,  like  straws  upon  the  surface  flow : 
He,  who  would  search  for  pearls — must  dive 
below.  5.  What  you  keep  by  you,  you  may 
change  and  mend;  but  words,  once  spoke, 
can  never  be  recalled.  6.  Let  thy  discourse 
be  such,  that  thou  mayest  give  profit  to  oth- 
ers, or,  from  them  receive.  7.  Beware  of  ever 
exceeding  the  boundaries  of  truth,  in  any 
form ;  for  the  mind  loses  strength,  whenev- 
er it  puts  its  foot  beyond  the  circle,  or  passes 
the  boundaries. 

THE   HARVEST   MOON. 

All  hail!  thou  lovely  queen  of  night, 

Bright  empress  of  the  stary  sky  ! 
The  meekness — of  thy  silvery  light 

Beams  gladness — on  the  gazer's  eye, 
While,  from  thy  peerless  throne  on  high 

Thou  shinest  bright— us  cloudless  noon, 
And  bidd'st  the  shades  of  darkness  fly 

Before  thy  glory — Harvest  moon  ! 
In  the  deep  stillness  of  the  night, 

When  weary  labor  is  at  rest, 
How  lovely  is  the  scene  ! — how  bright 

The  wood — the  lawn — the  mountain's  breast. 
When  thou,  fair  moon  of  Harvest,  hast 

Thy  radiant  glory  all  unfurled, 
And  sweetly  smilest  in  the  west, 

Far  down — upon  the  silent  world. 
Shine  on,  fair  orb  of  light!  and  smile 

Till  autumn  months — have  passed  away, 
And  labor — hath  forgot  the  toil 

He  bore — in  summer's  sultry  ray; 
And  when  the  reapers — end  the  day, 

Tired  with  the  burning  heat  of  noon, 
They'll  come — with  spirits  light  and  gay, 

And  bless  thee — lovely  Harvest  Moon ! 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


113 


320.  Emphasis — by  a  pause  just  before, 
or  after,  the  important  word.  The  pause  be- 
fore— awakens  curiosity,  and  excites  expec- 
tation ;  offer — carries  back  the  mind  to  what 
was  last  said.  How  would  a  tyrant,  after 
having  ruled  with  a  rod  of  iron,  and  shown 
compassion  to  none,  speak  of  his  own  death, 
in  allusion  to  the  setting  sun,  in  a  tropical 
climate ;  where  the  sun  is  severely  hot  as  long 
as  it  shines,  and  when  it  sets,  it  is  very  soon 
dark?  1.  (5)  "And  now — my  race — of  ter- 
ror— run,  (6)  Mine — be  the  eve — of  tropic  (6) 
sun;  No  pale  (6)  gradations — quench  his 
ray;  (5)  No  twilight  (7)  dews — his  wrath  al- 
lay :  (4)  With  (5)  disk,  (like  battle  target)— 
red,  (6)  He  rushes — t'  his  burning  bed,  (5) 
Dyes  the  wide  wave — with  bloody  (6)  light  ; 
Then  sinks  —  at  once  —  (2)  and  all  is  (1) 
night"  The  last  clause,  pronounced  in  a 
deep  monotone,  and  a  pause  before  it,  adds 
much  to  its  beauty  and  grandeur.  2.  "  Will 
all  great  Neptune's  ocean — wash — this  blood 
— clean — from  my  hands  1  No  •  these,  my 
hands,  will  rather  the  multitudinous  sea — in- 
carnadine: making  the  green—  (1)  one  red." 
Macbeth's  hands  are  so  deeply  stained,  that, 
to  wash  them  in  the  ocean,  would  make  it  red 
with  blood. 

SATAN,   LAMENTING  TITE   LOSS   OF    HEAVEN,   AND 
INVOKING  HELL. 

■'  Is  th  is  the  region,  this  the  soil,  the  clime,'1' — 
Said  then  the  lost  archangel,  "  this  the  seat, 
That  we  must  change — for  heaven? 
This  the  mournful  gloom — 

For  that  celestial  ligitt  ?  Farewell,  happy  fields, 
Where  joy— forever  dwells.    Hail,  horrors. — hail 
Infernal  world !     And  thou — profoundest  hell, 
Receive — thy  new — possessor .'" 

THE   DRUNKARD. 

a  Hand  me  the  bowl — ye  jocund  band," — 

He  said,  "  'twill  rouse  my  mirth  ;" 
But  conscience — seized  his  trembling  hand, 

And  dashed  the  cup — to  earth. 

He  looked  around,  he  blushed,  he  laugh'd, — 

He  sipped  the  sparkling  wave; 
In  it,  he  read, — "  who  drinks  this  draught, 

Shall  fill— a  murderer's  grave." 

He  grasped  the  bowl, — to  seek  relief; — 

No  more — his  conscience  said ; 
His  iosoOT-friend — was  sunk  in  grief, 

Wis,  children — begged  for  bread. 

Thro'  haunts  of  horror — and  of  strife, 

He  passed  down — life's  dark  tide; 
He  cursed — his  beggared  babes — and  wife; 

He  cursed  his  God, — and  died.' 

321.  Creation.  If  we  studied  creation 
more,  our  minds  would  much  sooner  become 
developed ,-  then,  the  heavens,  the  earth,  the 
water,  with  their  respective,  various,  and  nu- 
merous inhabitants,  the  productions,  natures, 
sympathies,  antipathies ;  their  uses,  benefits 
and  pleasures,  would  be  better  understood  by 
us:  and  eternal  wisdom,  power,  majesty  and 
goodness,  would  be  very  conspicuous,  thro' 
15 


their  sensible  and  passing  forms ;  the  world, 
wearing  the  marks  of  its  Maker,  whose  stamp 
is  everywhere  visible,  and  whose  character 
is  legible  to  all,  who  are  willing  to  under- 
bill nil.  and  would  become  hajiju/. 

Proverbs.  1.  An  oak  tree — is  not  felled  with 
a  blow.  2.  Beware  of  him,  who  is  obliged  to 
guard  his  reputation.  3.  Concealing  faults  —  is 
but  adding  to  them.  4.  Defile  not  your  mouth  with 
impure  words.  5.  Envy— preys  on  itself;  flattery 
— is  nauseous — to  the  truly  wise.  6.  Gluttony  — 
kills  more  than  the  sword.  7.  Hasty  resolutions 
seldom  speed  well.  8.  Inconstancy — is  the  attend- 
ant of  a  weak  mind.  9.  Keep  good  company, 
and  be  one  of  the  number.  10.  While  one  is  base, 
none  can  be  entirely  free  and  noble.  11.  Sin — is 
the  parent  of  disease.  12.  Oflener  ask,  than  decide 
questions.    13.  Avoid  all  superfluities. 

Anecdote.  Witty  Reply.  A  gentleman 
lately  complimented  a  lady,  on  her  improved 
appearance.  "You  are  guilty  of  flattery," 
said  the  lady.  "  Not  so,"  replied  he ;  "  for 
you  are  as  plump  as  a  partridge"  "At 
first,"  said  she, — "  I  thought  you  guilty  of 
flattery  only ;  but  I  now  find  you  actually 
make  game  of  me." 

Marlt  to  Hit.  Never  forget,  that  by  your 
advancement,  you  have  become  an  object  of 
envy — to  those  whom  you  have  outstripped 
— in  the  race  of  life,  and  a  tacit  reproach — to 
their  want  of  energy  or  capacity,  which  they 
never  forgive.  You  must,  therefore,  lay  your 
account — to  be  made  a  mark  for  "  envy,  ha- 
tred, and  malice,  and  all  uncharitableness." 
Varieties.  1.  We  have  three  orders,  or 
degrees  of  faculties ;  the  religious,  aivil  and 
scientific;  the  first,  regards  the  Deify ;  the 
second,  Humanity ;  and  the  third,  Nature ; 
i.  e.  the  Workman  and  his  works.  2.  It  is 
the  object  of  the  Bible — to  teach  religious,  ra- 
ther than  scientific  truths.  3.  Cannot  our 
minds — be  imbued  with  the  spirit  of  heaven ; 
or  tainted  with  the  breath  of  Hell?  4.  In 
man, we  see  blended  the  geological,  the  vege- 
table, and  animal :  to  which  is  superadded, 
the  human;  all  harmonizing,  and  yet  each 
successive  series  predominates  over  the  pre- 
ceding one;  till  at  length,  the  human  rises 
above  every  thing ;  earth — passes  away,  and 
heaven— is  all  in  all.  5.  Let  your  trust  be  so 
implicit — in  the  Divine  Providence,  that  all 
things  will  be  disposed  for  the  best,  after  you 
have  done  the  part  assigned,  that  your  only 
care  shall  be,  how  you  may  perform  the 
greatest  amount  of  good,  of  wliich  your  being 
is  capable. 

This  world's  a  hive,  you  know,  'tis  said, 
Whose  bees — are  men,  ('tis  true  a.s  funny,) 

And  some — fill  cells — with  bitter  bread, 
While  others  gather  sweetest  honey  ; 

Yet  each,  alike,  his  duty  does, 

Each — brings  what's  needful  for  the  other; 

Though  divers  ways — they  hum  and  buz, 
Yet  all  obey  the  common  mother. 
k2 


114 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


332.  Emphasis.  On  every  page  may  be 
found  nearly  all  the  principles  of  elocution ; 
and  in  aiming  at  a  compliance  with  the  rules 
given,  great  care  must  be  taken  to  avoid  a 
stiff,  and  formal  mode  of  reading  and  speak- 
ing. We  must  never  become  enslaved  to 
thought  alone,  which  rules  with  a  rod  of  iron  : 
but  yield  to  feeling,  when  it  is  to  predomi- 
nate :  in  a  perfect  blending  of  feeling,  thought 
and  action,  there  is  all  the  freedom  and  grace- 
fulness of  nature  ;  provided  they  are  in  har- 
mony with  nature.  It  is  better  to  be  natural, 
than  mechanically  correct.  Every  thought 
and  feeling  has  its  peculiar  tone  of  voice,  by 
which  it  is  to  be  expressed,  and  which  is  ex- 
actly suited  to  the  degree  of  internal  feeling : 
in  the  proper  use  of  these  tones,  most  of  the 
life ,  spirit,  beauty,  and  effect  of  delivery  con- 
sists. Hence,  emphasis,  or  expresswn,  is  al- 
most infinite  in  variety ,-  yet  none  should  be 
discouraged;  because  we  cannot  do  every 
tiling,  is  no  reason  why  we  should  not  try  to 
do  something. 

323.  Miscellaneous.    1.  In  your  con- 
versation, be  cautious  what  you  speak,  to 
whom  you  speak,  how  }'ou  speak,  when  you 
speak;  and  what  you  sjjeak,  speak  wisely, 
and  truly.  2.  A  fool's  heart — is  in  his  tongue  ,- 
but  a  wise  man's  tongue — is  in  his  heart.    3. 
Few  things — engage  the  attention — and  af- 
fections of  men — more  than  a  handsome  ad- 
dress, and  a  graceful  conversed  ion.    4.  For 
one — great  genius,  who  has  written  a  little 
book,  we  have  a  thousand — little  geniuses, 
who  have  written  great  books.    5.  Words — 
are  but  air ;  and  both — are  capable  of  much 
condensation.    6.  Nature — seldom  inspires 
a  strong  desire  for  any  object,  without  fur- 
nishing the  ability — to  attain  it.    7.  All — is 
not  gold — that  glitters.    8.   If  I  were  an 
American — as  I  am  an  Englishman,  while 
a.  foreign  troop — was  landed  in  my  country, 
I  never — would  lay  down  my  arms ;  no, — (5) 
never  !  (4)  never !  (2)  never !    9.  The  price 
of  Liberty — is  eternal  vigilance.    10.  The 
true  disciples  of  Nature,  are  regardless  who 
conducts  them,  provided  she  be  the  leader ; 
for  Nature,  like  truth — is  immutable. 
There  is  a  tide — in  the  affairs  of  men, 
Which,  taken  at  the  flood, — leads  on  to  foetune  ; 
Omitted,  all  the  voyage  of  their  life — 
Is  hound  in  shallows — and  in  miseries  : 
On  stick  a  full  sea — are  we — now  afloat, 
And  we  must  take  the  current,  when  it  serves, 
Or  lose  our  ventures. 

Anecdote.  One  thing  at  a  time.  The 
famous  pensioner  of  Holland,  who  was  the 
greatest  genius  of  his  time,  and  a  famous  pol- 
itician, on  being  asked,  how  he  could  trans- 
act such  a  variety  of  business,  without  con- 
.fusion,  replied,  that  he  never  did  but  one 
thing  at  a  time. 

Face  to  face — the  truth  comes  out. 


Proverbs.  1.  The  foreknowledge  of  an  ap- 
proaching evil,  is  a  benefit  of  no  small  magnitude 
2.  We  may  get  a  world  of  false  love,  for  a  little 
honesty.  3.  The  love  of  mankind — may  be  good 
while  it  lasts;  but  the  love  of  God — is  everlasting. 
4.  Too  many  condemn  the  just,  and  not  a  few 
justify  the  wicked.  5.  Some  people's  threats — are 
larger  than  their  hearts.  6.  Discreet  stages-make 
short  journeys.  7.  Imitate  the  good,  but  avoid  the 
evil.  S.  Rather  do  good,  without  a  pattern,  than 
evil,  by  imitation.  9.  Prize  a  good  character  above 
any  other  good.  10.  Well  qualified  teachers — are 
benefactors  of  their  race.  11.  Plain  dealing  is  a 
jewel.    12.  Perfect  love — casteth  oat  fear. 

Science.  Science,  the  partisan  of  no  coun- 
try, but  the  beneficent  patroness  of  all,  has 
liberally  opened  a  temple,  where  all  may 
meet.  She  never  inquires  about  the  country, 
or  sect,  of  those  who  seek  admission ;  she 
never  allots  a  higher,  or  a  lower  place,  from 
exaggerated  national  claims,  or  unfounded 
national  antipathies.  Her  influence  on  the 
mind,  like  that  of  the  sun  on  the  chilled 
earth,  has  long  been  preparing  it  for  higher 
cultivation  and  farther  improvement.  The 
philosopher  of  owe  country  should  not  see  an 
enemy  in  the  philosopher  of  another ;  he 
should  take  his  seat  in  the  temple  of  science, 
and  ask  not  who  sits  beside  him. 

Varieties.     1.   Is  not  the  innocence  of 
flowers  enough  to  make  wicked  persons  blush 
— to  behold  it?    2.  Are  there  not  as  many 
beautiful  flowers  in  the  other  world,  as  there 
are  in  this?    3.  Those  are  the  best  diversions, 
that  relieve  the  mind,  and  exercise  the  body, 
with  the  least  expense  of  time  and  money. 
4.  Give  us  knowledge  of  our  own,  and  we 
will  persevere.    5.  Let  us  call  tyrants — ty- 
rants :  and  maintain,  that  freedom  comes 
only,  by  the  grace  of  God. 
Truth — needs  no  champion;  in  the  infinite  deep 
Of  everlasting  Soul — her  strength  abides: 
From  Nature's    heart — her  mighty  pulses  leap,— 
Through  Nature's  veins,  her  strength,  undying,  tides. 
Peace — is  more  strong  than  war;  and  gentleness, 
When  force  were  vain,  makes  conquests  o'er  the 
And  love  lives  on,  and  hath  a  power  to  btess.  [wave  ; 
When  they,  who  loved,  are  hidden — by  the  grave. 
'Tis  not  a  century — since  they, 
The  red  men,  traversed  here, 
And  o'er  these  pleasant  hills  and  vales, 

Pursued  the  bounding  deer; 
Here,  too,  that  eloquence  was  poured 

Around  the  eouncil  light,   " 
That  made  the  sturdy  warrior  bold, 

And  ready  for  the  fight! 
And  oft  they  came — exulting  back, 

The  husband,  sire  and  son. 
To  vaunt  before  their  savage  shrines, 

The  ill — their  hands  had  done  ! 
Yet,  of  their  mortal  weal  or  woe, 

No  trace  is  left  to-day  ; 
For,  like  ihefoam  upon  the  wave, 
They  all  have  passed  away  ! 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


115 


324.  Shouting,  or  High  and  Loud — im- 
plying  force  of  utterance.  The  last  wordsof 
Munition  afford  excellent  means,  when  me- 
morized, for  the  student  to  try  the  compass  of 
his  voice  upwards,  as  well  as  its  power  on 
high  pilches.  It  is  not  often  that  these  high 
and  almost  screaming  notes  are  required  in 
public  speaking:  yet,  there  are  times,  espe- 
cially in  the  open  air,  when  they  may  be  in- 
troduced with  great  effect.  And  it  is  always 
well  to  have  an  inexhaustible  capital  of  voice, 
as  of  money  ;  indeed,  there  is  no  danger  of 
having  too  much  oieither,  provided  we  make 
a  proper  use  of  them.  In  giving  the  word  of 
command,  on  occasions  of  fire,  erecting  build- 
ings, on  the  field  of  battle,  martial  exercise, 
&c,  power  and  compass  of  voice  are  very 
desirable. 

335.  1.  "  The  war,  that  for  a  space  did 
fail,  Now,  trebly  thundering,  swell'd  the 
gale,  And  (10)  "  Stanley  !"  (6)  was  the  cry: 
A  light  on  Marmio?i's  visage  spread,  and 
fired  his  glazing  eye  :  With  dying  hand, 
above  his  head,  he  shook  the  fragment  of 
his  blade,  and  shouted  (8)  "  VICTORY  !" 
(9)  Charge!  Chester,  (10)  charge  !  On, 
(11)  STANLEY— (12)  ON!" (3)  Were  the 
last  words  of  Marmion.  2.  (6)  Liberty  ! 
(8)  FREEDOM  !  (5)  Tyranny  is  dead  ! 
(6)  Run  (7)  hence  !  proclaim  it  about  the 
streets!  3.  The  combat  deepens:  (4) 
"ON  !  ye  brave  !  Who  rush — to  (6)  glo- 
ry,— or  the  (3)  grave;  (9)  Wave — Munich  ! 
all  thy  (10)  banners  wave !  (8)  And  charge — 
with  all  thy  (3)  chivalry." 

926.  Constitutional  Law,  in  its  ex- 
tended sense,  includes  the  study  of  the  con- 
stitutions, or  fundamental  laws  of  the  vari- 
ous Nations:  i.  e.  the  structure,  and  mechan- 
ism of  their  government,  and  the  appoint- 
ments, powers,  and  duties  of  their  officers. 
The  United  States  Constitutional  Law,  may 
be  considered  under  five  different  heads ; 
viz  :  Legislative  Power,  Executive  Power, 
Judicial  Power,  State  Rights  Restrictions, 
and  United  States  Statutes  and  Treaties. 
The  Legislative  power  is  vested  in  a  Con- 
gress, consisting  of  a  Senate  and  House  of 
Representatives ,  elected  by  the  people,  or 
their  State  Legislatures ;  the  Executive  pow- 
er, in  a  President,  who  holds  his  office  four 
years  ;  the  Judicial  power,  in  a  Supreme 
Court,  which  consists  of  one  Chief  Justice, 
and  eight  Associate  Justices,  and  in  such 
inferior  courts,  as  Congress  may  ordain,  or 
establish.  Slate  righis  and  restrictions — are 
powers  not  delegated  by  the  Constitution  to 
the  United  States,  nor  prohibited  by  it  to  the 
States,  but  reserved  to  the  States,  respect- 
ively, or  to  the  people. 

Anecdote.  Patience.  A  youth,  who  was 
a  pupil  of  Zeno,  on  his  return  home,  was  ask- 
ed by  his  father,  "  what  he  had  learned?" 
The  lad  replied,  "  that  will  appear  hereaf- 
ter.'1'' On  this,  the  father,  being  enraged,  beat 
his  son  ;  who,  bearing  it  patiently,  and  with- 
out complaining,  said,  "  This  have  I  learn- 
ed, to  endure  a  parent's  anger." 

Rather  suffer  wrong  than  do  wrong. 


Proverbs.  1.  A  bitter  jest — is  the  poison  of 
friendship.  -'.  Be  ever  vigilant,  but  never  suspi- 
cious. 3.  Cheerfulness — is  perfectly  consistent 
with  true  piety.  4.  Demonstration — is  the  best 
mode  of  instruction.  5.  Entertain  not  sin,  lest  yon 
like  its  company.  6.  Finesse — is  unworthy  of  a 
liberal  mind.  7.  Good  counsel — is  above  all  price. 
8.  Hearts — may  agree,  tho'  heads— differ.  9.  Idle- 
ness— is  the  parent  of  want,  shame,  and  misery. 
10.  Learn  to  live,  as  you  would  wish  to  die.  11. 
Content — is  the  highest  bliss.  12.  Vex  not  yourself, 
when  id  spoken  of. 

Force  of  Habit.  Habit — hath  so  vast  a 
prevalence  over  the  human  mind,  that  there 
is  scarcely  any  thing  too  strange,  or  too 
si  run's,  to  be  asserted  of  it.  The  story  of 
the  miser,  who,  from  long  accustoming  to 
cheat  others,  came  at  last  to  cheat  himself, 
and  with  great  delight  and  triumph  picked 
his  own  pocket  of  a  guinea,  to  convey  to  his 
hoard,  is  not  impossible  or  improbable.  '  In 
like  manner  it  fares  with  the  practisers  of 
deceit,  who,  from  having  long  deceived 
their  acquaintance,  gain  at  last  a  power  of 
deceiving  themselves,  and  acquire  that  very 
opinion,  however  false,  of  their  own  abili- 
ties, excellences,  and  virtues,  into  which 
they  have  for  years,  perhaps,  endeavored  to 
betray  their  neighbors. 

"Varieties.  1.  Eternity,  (wrote  a  deaf 
and  dumb  boy,)  is  the  lifetime  of  the  Deity. 
2.  No  evil  can  be  successfully  combatted,  or 
removed,  but  from  the  opposite  good,  from  a 
desire  for  it,  and  an  attachment  to  it ;  i.  e. 
till  the  mind  is  perfectly  willing  to  relinquish 
the  evil.  3.  A  man's  ruling  love — governs 
him  ;  because,  what  he  loves,  he  continues 
to  will.  4.  Sweet  harmonist,  and  beautiful 
as  sweet,  and  young  as  beautiful,  and  soft  as 
young,  and  gay  as  soft,  and  innocent  as  gay. 
5.  Had  Caesar  senius  ?  he  was  an  orator .' 
Had  Caesar  judgment  ?  he  was  a  politician  ' 
Had  Caesar  valor?  he  was  a  conqueror.' 
Had  Caesar  feeling?  he  was  a  friend  !  6. 
Music — is  one  of  the  sweetest  flowers  of  the 
intellectual  garden;  and,  in  relation  to  its 
powei — to  exhibit  the  passions,  it  may  be 
called — the  universal  language  of  nature. 
7.  Whatever  the  immediate  cause,  may  be, 
the  effect  is  so  far  good,  as  men  cease  to  do 
evil,  they  learn  to  do  well. 

THE   FISHERMAN. 

A  perilous  life,  and  sad — as  life  maybe, 
Hath  the  \one  fisher — on  the  lonely  sea; 
In  the  wild  ivaters  laboring,  far  from  home, 
For  some  poor  pittance,  e'er  compelled  to  roam! 
Feio  friends  to  cheer  him — in  his  dangerous  life, 
And  none  to  aid  him — in  the  stormy  strife. 
Companion  of  the  sea  and  silent  air, 
The  lonely  fisher  thus  must  ever  fare; 
Without  the  comfort,  hope — with  scarce  a  friend, 
He  looks  through  life,  and  only  sees — its  end! 

"  Thou  art,  O  God!  the  life  and  light 
Of  all  this  wondrous  world  we  see; 

Its  glow  by  day,  its  smile  by  night, 
Are  but  refections — caught  from  thee!' 

Where'er  we  turn,  thy  glories  shine, 

And  all  tilings  bright  and  fair — are  thine.'" 


116 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


327.  Speakino  the  Gauntlet.  We 
have  all  heard  of  the  practice,  that  prevails 
among  some  tribes  of  India?is,  called  "run- 
ning the  gauntlet;"  when  a  company  ar- 
range themselves  in  two  rows,  a  few  yards 
apart,  and  their  ■prisoner  is  obliged  to  run 
between  them  ;  when  each  throws  his  hatchet 
at  him  ;  and  if  he  passes  through  without 
being  killed,  he  is  permitted  to  live.  In  the 
important  exercise,  here  recommended,  each 
member  of  the  class,  after  making  some 
proficiency,  memorizes  and  recites,  &  strong 
and  powerful  sentence,  and  the  others  try  to 
put  out,  or  break  down,  the  one  that  is 
speaking,  by  all  sorts  of  remarks,  sounds, 
looks,  and  actions ;  tho'  without  touching 
him  :  and  the  gauntlet  speaker,  girds  up  the 
loins  of  his  mind,  and  endeavors  to  keep  the 
fountain  of feeling  higher  than  the  streams: 
and  so  long,  he  is  safe;  but  alas  for  him, 
that  shrinks  into  himself,  and  yields  to  his 
opponents. 
But  this, — and  ills  severer — he  sustains ; 
As  gold — the  ./ire,  and,  as  unhurt  remains : 
When  most  reviled,  altho'  he  feels  the  smart, 
It  wakes — to  nobler  deeds — the  wounded  heart. 
The  noble  mind — unconscious  of  a  fault, 
No  fortune's  frown — can  bend,,  or  smiles — exalt: 
Like  the  firm  rock — that  in  mid-ocean — braves 
The  war  of  whirlwinds,  and  the  dash  of  waves: 
Or,  like  a  tower — he  lifts  his  head  on  high — 
&x\Afortune'ls  arrows — far  below  him  fly. 
328.  Mouthing.  Some —  think  that 
words  are  rendered  more  distinct,  to  large 
assemblies,  by  dwelling  longer  on  the  sylla- 
bles; others,  that  it  adds  to  the  pomp  and 
solemnity  of  public  declamation,  in  which 
they  think  every  thing  must  be  different 
from  private  discourse.  This  is  one  of  the 
vices  of  the  stage,  and  is  called  theatrical, 
in  opposition  to  what  is  natural.  By  "trip- 
pingly on  the  tongue,"  Shakspeare  probably 
means — the  bounding  of  the  voice  from  ac- 
cent to  accent ;  trippingly  along  from  word 
to  word,  without  resting  on  syllables  by  the 
way.  And,  by  "mouthing,''''  dwelling  on 
syllables,  that  have  no  accent,  and  ought 
therefore  to  be  pronounced  as  quickly  as  is 
consistent  with  a  proper  enunciation.  Avoid 
an  artificial  air,  and  hold,  as  it  were,  the 
mirror  up  to  nature.  See  the  difference  in 
the  following,  by  pronouncing  them  with 
the  accent,  extending  thro1  the  whole  word, 
in  a  drawling  tone,  and  then,  giving  them 
properly:  con-^'ec-ture,  en-croaeA-ment.  hap- 
pi-ness,  grat-i-tude,  /or-tu-nate-ly  ;  which 
is  very  far  from  true  solemnity,  which  is  in 
the  spirit;   not  alone  in  the  manner. 

Anecdote.  A  student  in  college — carried 
a  manuscript  poem,  of  his  own  composition, 
to  his  tutor,  for  his  inspection.  The  tutor, 
after  looking  it  over,  inquired  the  author's 
reason,  for  beginning  every  line  with  a  capi- 
tal letter,  "  Because  it  is  poetry^'  said  the 
student.  "  It  is!"  said  the  teacher,  "  I  de- 
clare, I  should  not  have  thought  it." 

By  frequent  use — experience — gains  its  growth, 
But  knowledge — flies  from  laziness  and  sloth. 


Proverbs.  1.  Soft  hands,  and  soft  brains — 
generally  go  together.  2.  Let  time  be  the  judge, 
and  common  sense  the  jury.  3.  Cherish  an  ar- 
dent love  of  nature  and  of  art.  4.  The  region 
beyond  the  grace,  is  not  a  solitary  one.  5.  Each 
night — is  the  past  day's  funeral:  and  each  morn — 
its  resurrection.  6.  Better  be  exalted  by  humility, 
than  brought  low  by  exaltation.  7.  Tight-lacing — 
is  a  gradual  suicide,  and  tends  to  enkindle  im- 
pure desires.  8.  Good  manners — are  always  be- 
coming. 9.  The  candid  man  has  nothing  to  con- 
ceal; he  speaks  nothing  but  truth.  10.  Plate 
said — read  much;  but  read  not  many  books.  11. 
Marry  in  haste;  repent  at  leisure.  12.  If  you  will 
not  keep,  you  cannot  have.  13.  Prune  off  useless 
branches. 

Government.  It  is  time  that  men  should 
learn  to  tolerate  nothing  ancient,  that  reason 
does  not  respect,  and  to  shrink  from  no  nov- 
elty, to  which  reason  may  conduct.  It  is 
time  that  the  human  powers,  so  long  occu- 
pied by  subordinate  objects  and  inferior  arts, 
should  mark  the  commencement  of  a  new 
era  in  history,  by  giving  birth  to  the  art  of 
improving  government,  and  increasing  the 
civil  happiness  of  man.  It  is  time,  that  le- 
gislators, instead  of  that  narrow  and  das- 
tardly coasting,  which  never  ventures  to 
lose  sight  of  usage  and  precedent,  should, 
guided  by  the  polarity  of  reaso?i,  hazard  a 
bolder  navigation,  and  discover,  in  unex- 
plored regions,  the  treasure  of  public  feli- 
city. 

Varieties.    1.  Did  not  Mr.  Pitt,  by  the 
force  of  his  eloquence,  raise  himself  to  be 
the  prime  minister  of  England  ?     2.  A  rich 
man's    son — generally    begins — where    his 
father  left  off;  and  ends — where  his  father 
began — pennyless.     3.  A  proneness  to  talk 
of  persons,  instead   of  things,  indicates  a 
narrow,  and  superficial  mind. 
The  world — may  scorn  me,  if  they  choose;  I  care 
But  little  for  their  scoffings :  I  may  sink 
For  moments  ;  but  I  rise  again,  nor  shrink 
From  doing — what  the  faithful  heart  inspires : 
I  will  not  flatter,  fawn,  nor  crouch,  nor  wink 
At  what  high  mounted  wealth,  or  power  desires; 
I  have  a  loftier  aim — to  which  my  soul  aspires. 

Be  humble — learn  thyself  to  scan; 

Know — pride — was  never  made  for  man. 
6.  Where  there  is  emulation — there  will  be 
vanity;  and  where  there  is  vanity,  there 
will  be  folly.  7.  Each  man  has  his  proper 
standard  to  fight  under,  and  his  peculiar  duty 
to  perform :  one  tribe's  office — is  not  that 
of  another:  neither  is  the  inheritance  the 
same. 

I  wander — by  the  mountain's  side, 
Whose  peaks — reflect  the  parting  day, 

Or  stoop — to  view  the  river  glide 
In  silvery  ripples — on  its  way. 

The  turf  is  green,  the  sky  is  blue, 
The  sombre  trees — in  silence  rest, 

Save  where  a  songster — rustles  through 
The  Amori'mg  foliage — to  his  nest; 

Yet  one  thing — wants  the  pilgrim  there — 

A  kindred  soul,  the  scene  to  share. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


117 


329.  Revision.  Before  entering  on  a  con- 
sideration of  the  Inflections,  and  other  higher 
modifications  of  voice,  the  pupil  is  again  ear- 
nestly solicited— to  review  all  the  principles, 
that  have  been  brought  forward ;  especially 
all  that  relates  to  Accent,  Pauses,  Emphasis, 
and  the  alphabet  of  music,  or  the  eight  notes ; 
and,  in  this  revision,  be  careful  not  to  con- 
found one  principle  with  another;  as  stress 
with  quantity,  high  sounds  with  loud  ones, 
and  low  ones  with  feeble.  Remember,  that 
stress  is  a  quick  bloiv,  or  ick-tus  of  the  voice ; 
quantity — length  of  sound;  high  sounds — on, 
or  above  the  sixth  note;  loud  ones— halloo- 
ing ;  low  sounds — on,  or  below  the  third  note ; 
feeble  ones,  softly,  as  from  weakness.  Prac- 
tice the  examples,  till  you  make  them  fit  you, . 
and  produce  on  yourselves  and  others,  the  de- 
sired effects. 

330.  I  came  to  the  place  of  my  birth,  and 
said ;  "  The  friends  of  my  youth— where  are 
they?"  And  echo  answered, —  "  Where?'' 
2.  When  the  Indians  were  solicited  to  emi- 
grate to  the  West,  they  replied ;  What !  shall 
we  say,  to  the  bones  of  our  fathers— Arise  ! 
and  go  with  us  into  a  foreign  land? 

The  truly  lovely — 
Are  not  the  fair,  who  boast  but  of  outward  grace, 
The  nought,  but  beautiful  of  form  and  face; 
They — are  the  lovely — they,  in  whom  unite,  [light, 
Earth's  fleeting  charms — with  virtue's  heavenly 
Who,  tho'  they  wither, — yet,  with  faded  bloom — 
Bear  their  all  of  sweetness — to  the  tomb. 

Bfotes.  1.  Such  is  the  careless  and  ignorant  manner  in 
which  many  have  been  permitted  to  come  up,  instead  of  being 
brought  up,  that  it  will  often  be  found  necessary  to  use  a  variety  of 
means  to  become  divested  of  bad  habits  and  their  consequences. 
2.  Probably  the  lungs  suffer  more  than  any  other  part  of  the 
body,  by  being  cooped  up  in  a  small  cavity.  To  enlarge  the  chest, 
siie-wise,  practice  the  elevation  of  the  elbows  toa  horizontal  plane 
nearly  level  with  the  shouljers,  and  commence  gently  tapping  the 
breast  between  the  shoulders,  the  ends  of  the  fingers  of  both  hands 
being  nearly  together ;  and  then,  during  the  exercise,  strike  back 
from  the  sternum  toward  each  Bhoulder,  drawing  the  hands  far- 
ther and  farther  apart,  till  the  ends  of  the  fingers  reach  the  arm- 
pits, and  even  out  on  the  arm,  without  depressing  the  elbows : 
vy  it,  and  you  will  see  and  know. 

Anecdote.  Flying  To;  not  From.  Some 
years  ago,  a  person  requested  permission  of  the 
Bishop  of  Salisbury,  in  England,  to  fly  from 
the  spire  of  his  church.  The  good  bishop, 
with  an  anxious  concern  for  the  man's  spiri- 
tual, as  well  as  temporal  safety,  told  him,  he 
was  very  welcome  to  fly  to  the  church ;  but 
he  would  encourage  no  one  to  fly  from  it. 

THE   BUTTERFLY. 

Child  of  the  sun!  pursue  thy  rapturous  flight, 
Mingling  with  her  thou  lov'st — in  fields  of  bght; 
And,  where  the  flowers  of  Paradise  unfold, 
Quaff  fragrant  nectar — from  their  cups  of  gold, 
There  shall  thy  wings,  rich  as  an  evening  sky, 
Expand — and  shut — in  silent  ecstasy. 
Yet,  wert  thou  once  a  worm,  a  thing,  that  crept 
On  the  bare  earth,  then  wrought  a  tomb,  and  slept; 
And  such — is  man;  soon,  from  his  cell  of  clay, 
To  burst  a  seraph— in  the  blaze  of  day. 


Proverbs.  1.  Pride — is  the  greatest  enemy 
to  reason  ;  and  discretion — the  great  opposite  of 
pride.  2.  The  wise — shape  their  apparel  to  the 
body;  the  proud — shape  their  body  to  their  appa- 
rel. 3.  A  sound  and  vigorous  mind,  in  a  healthy 
body,  is  an  invaluable  possession.  4.  Experience — 
is  the  mother  of  the  arts.  5.  He,  is  never  tired  of 
listening,  who  wishes  to  gain  knowledge.  6.  Bet- 
ter consider  for  a  day,  than  repent  for  a  year.  7. 
Economy — is  the  foundation  of  liberality,  and  the 
parent  of  independence.  8.  Use  no  tobacco,  if  you 
would  be  decent,  clean,  and  healthy.  0.  The  path 
of  literature  is  more  difficult,  than  that  which  leads 
to  fortune.  10.  That  which  is  well  done,  is  twice 
done.  11.  Of  a  little — take  a  little.  12.  A  hasty 
man — never  wants  woe. 

Providence.  If  a  man  lets  his  hand  lie 
in  the  ice,  it  is  highly  probable  Providence 
will  ordain  it  to  be  frozen  ;  or  if  he  holds  it 
in  the^T-e,  to  be  burnt.  Those  who  go  to  sea, 
Providence  will  sometimes  permit  to  be 
drowned ;  those,  on  the  other  hand,  who  ne- 
ver quit  dry  ground,  Providence  will  hardly 
suffer  to  perish  in  the  sea.  It  is  therefore 
justly  said,  "  Help  yourself,  and  Heaven  will 
help  you."  The  truth  is,  that  God  has  helped 
us  from  the  beginning ;  the  work  of  the 
master  is  completed ;  and,  so  far  as  it  was 
intended  to  be  so,  perfect ;  it  requires,  there- 
fore, no  further  extraordinary  aids  and  cor- 
rections from  above ;  its  further  development 
and  improvement  in  this  world  is  placed  in 
our  own  hands.  We  may  be  good  or  bad, 
wise  or  foolish,  not  always  perhaps  in  the 
degree  which  we,  as  individuals,  might 
choose,  were  our  wills  perfectly  free,  but  so 
far  as  the  state  of  the  human  race,  imme- 
diately jn-eceding  us,  has  formed  us  to  decide. 

Varieties.  1.  Is  animal,  or  human  mag- 
netism, true?  2.  When  the  spirit  is  deter- 
mined, it  can  do  almost  anything ;  therefore, 
never  yield  to  discouragement  in  doing,  or 
getting,  what  is  good  and  true.  3.  What 
temptation  is  greater,  than  permitting  young 
persons,  and  especially  young  men,  in  this 
degenerate  world,  to  handle  much  money, 
that  is  not  their  own.  4.  Exhibit  such  an 
example  in  your  dress,  conversation,  and 
temper,  as  will  be  worthy  of  imitation.  5. 
We  often  hear  it  said,  "that  people,  and 
things,  are  changed."  Is  it  not  ourse!'** 
that  have  changed!  The  heart— makes  all 
around,  a  mirror  of  itself. 

Real  glory — 

Springs  from  the  silent  conquest  of  ourselves , 

And,  without  that — the  conqueror  is  nought. 

But  the  first  slave. 
7.  Every  word,  spoken  from  affection,  leaves 
an  everlasting  impression  in  the  mind ;  every 
thought,  spoken  from  affection,  becomes  a 
living  creation ;  and  the  same  also,  if  not 
spoken,— if  it  be  fully  assented  to  by  the  mind. 
When  the  stem  dies,  the  leaf,  that  grew 
Out  of  its  heart,  must  perish  too. 


118 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


331.  Every  emotion  of  the  mind  has  its 
own  external  manifestation ;  so  that  no  one 
emotion  can  be  accommodated  to  another. 
Observe  the  native  eloquence  of  a  hungry 
child,  when  asking  for  a  piece  of  bread  and 
butter ;  especially,  the  third  or  fourth  time  ; 
and  mark  its  emphasis,  and  tones:  also  the 
qualities  of  voice,  with  which  it  expresses  its 
grief,  anger,  joy,  &c.  The  manner  of  each 
passion  is  entirely  different ;  nor  does  it  ever 
apply  one  for  another,-  indeed,  children  in 
their  own  efforts,  always  make  the  proper 
emphasis,  inflections,  and  gestures ;  and  they 
are  graceful  in  all,  when  under  the  sole  influ- 
ence of  nature.  Thus,  from  nature,  unso- 
phislocated,  may  be  derived  the  whole  art  of 
speaking.  The  author  is  free  to  acknow- 
ledge, that  he  has  learned  more  about  true 
eloquence,  from  children,  and  the  Indians, 
and  his  consequent  practice,  than  from  all 
other  sources. 

332.  Cicero — copied,  and  imitate d,  every 
body ;  he  was  the  very  mocking-bird  of  el- 
oquence, which  is  his  greatest  distinct  ion, 
and  glory :  for  who  so  various  as  he  ;  who  so 
siveet,  so  powerful,  so  simply  eloquent,  or  so 
magnificently  flowing,  and  each,  and  all,  by 
turns  \  His  mind  was  a  perfect pan-harmon- 
icon.  Your  original  writer, — your  original 
character,  has  no  sympathies ;  he  is  heart- 
Dound,  brain-bound  and  /inbound ;  he  is  tru- 
ly an  oddity  ,■  he  is  like  no-body,  and  ??o-body 
is  like  him;  he  feeds  on  self-adoration,  or 
the  adulation  of  fools;  who  mistake  the  ora- 
cles of  pride  and  vanity,  for  the  inspirations 
of  genius. 

333.  There  are  some,  even  in  this  enlight- 
ened age,  who  affect  to  despise  the  acquisi- 
tion of  elocution,  and  other  important  and 
useful  accomplishments;  but  such  persons 
are  generally  very  awkward  themselves,  and 
dislike  the  application  and  practice,  that  are 
necessary  to  render  them  agreeable  and  im- 
pressive speakers.  It  is  an  old  adage — that 
many — despise  that,  which  they  do  not  pos- 
sess, and  which  they  are  too  indolent  to  at- 
tain.   Remember  the  fox  and  the  grapes. 

Anecdote.  A  colonel  was  once  com- 
plaining, that  from  the  ignorance,  and  inat- 
tention of  the  officers,  he  was  obliged  to  do  the 
whole  duty  of  the  regiment.  Said  he,  "I  am 
my  own  captain,  my  own  lieutenant ,  my  own 

cornet,    and'' "  Your    own    trumpeter," 

said  a  lady  present. 

NOW  came  still  evening  on,  and  twilight  gray 
Had,  in  her  sober  livery,  all  things  clad. 
Silence — accompanied  j  for  beast,  and  bird, 
They,  to  their  grassy  couch,  these— \o  their  nest 
Were  sunk,  all,  but  the  wakeful  nightingale  ; 
She,  al  1  night  long,  her  amorous  descant  sung ; 
Silence — was  pleased.    Now  glow'd  the  firmament 
With  living  sapphires :  Hesperus,  that  led 
The  starry  host,  rode  brightest ;  till  the  moon, 
Rising  in  clouded  majesty,  at  length, 
Apparent  queen,  unvaipd  her  peerless  ligld, 
And  o'er  the  dark  her  silver  mantle  threw. 


Proverbs.  1.  A  wise  governor,  would  rather 
preserve  peace,  than  gain  a  victory.  2.  It  is 
sometimes  a  benefit,  to  grant  favors,  and  at  other 
times,  to  deny  them.  3.  An  angry  person  is  an- 
gry with  himself,  when  he  returns  to  reason.  4. 
Wherever  you  are,  conform  to  the  usual  cus- 
toms and  manners  of  the  country.  5.  To  encourage 
the  unworthy,  is  to  promote  vice.  6.  Ingratitude 
to  the  htnevolent — generally  ends  in  disgrace.  7 
Esteem  virtue,  tho'  in  a. foe:  abhor  vice,  tlio'  in  a 
friend.  8.  The  more  one  speaks  of  himself,  the 
less  willing  is  lie,  to  hear  another  talked  about. 
9.  Nature — is  always  content  with  herself.  l(f. 
Form  your  opinions  of  a  person,  by  his  questions, 
rather  than  by  his  atiswers.  11.  Say — can  wis- 
dom— e'er  reside,  with  passio?i,  envy,  hate,  or 
pride?  12.  In  a  calm  sea,  every  man  is  pilot.  13. 
A  good  life — keeps  off  wrinkles. 

Debt.  There  is  nothing — more  to  be 
dreaded,  than  debt :  when  a  person,  whose 
principles  are  good,  unhappily  falls  into  this 
situation,  adieu  to  all  peace  and  comfort. 
The  reflection  imbitters  every  meal,  and 
drives  from  the  eyelids  refreshing  sleep.  It 
corrodes  and  cankers  every  cheerful  idea; 
and,  like  a  stern  Cerberus,  guards  each  ave- 
nue to  the  heart,  so  that  pleasure,  does  not 
approach.  Happy  !  thrice  happ)7 !  are  those, 
who  are  blessed  with  an  independent  compe- 
tence, and  can  confine  their  wants  within  the 
bounds  of  that  competence,  be  it  what  it  may. 
To  such  alone,  the  bread  of  life  is  palatable 
and  nourishing.  Sweet  is  the  morsel,  that  is 
acquired  by  an  honest  industry,  the  produce 
of  which  is  permanent,  or  that  flows  from  a 
source  which  will  not  fail.  A  subsistence, 
that  is  precarious,  or  procured  by  an  uncer- 
tain prospect  of  payment,  carries  neither 
wine  nor  oil  with  it.  Let  me,  therefore,  again 
repeat,  that  the  person,  who  is  deeply  involv- 
ed in  debt,  experiences,  on  earth,  all  the  tor- 
tures, the  poets  describe  to  be  the  lot  of  the 
wretched  inhabitants  of  Tatarus. 

Varieties.  1.  Is  not  a  want  of  purity, 
the  cause  of  the  fickleness  of  mankind  1  2. 
A  man's  character  is  like  his  shadow ; 
which  sometimes  follows,  and  at  others,  pre- 
cedes him ;  and  which  is  occasionally  longer, 
or  shorter,  than  he  is.  3.  Admiration — sig- 
nifies the  reception  and  acknowledgment  of 
a  thing,  in  thought,  and  affection.  4.  We 
should  have  good  roads,  if  all  the  sinners 
were  set  to  mend  them.  5.  The  world  is  a 
hive,  that  affords  both  sweets,  and  poisons, 
with  many  empty  combs.  6.  All  earthly  en- 
joyments are  not  what  they  appear ;  there- 
fore, we  should  discriminate ;  for  some  are 
sweet  in  hopes,  but,  in  fruition,  sour.  7.  Or- 
der— is  the  siveetest,  most  pacific,  regular, 
and  delightful  melody:  the  first  motion  is 
one,  and  the  end  is  one:  the  final  end  is  the 
similitude  of  the  beginning. 

Self,  alone,  in  nature — rooted  fast, 
Attends  usfirsl,  and  leaves  us — U-t. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


119 


334.  Inflections.  These  are  the  rising 
and  falling  slides  of  the  voice,  terminating 
on  a  higher,  or  lower  pitch,  than  that  on 
which  it  commenced  ,■  being  continuous  from 
the  radical,  or  opening  fullness  of  voice,  to 
the  vanish,  or  terminating  point;  and  not 
discrete,  as  the  seven  notes  are.  In  the  in- 
tonations,  the  voice  steps  up  or  down,  by 
liscrete  degrees;    but  in  the  inflect  ions,  it 

glides  up  or  down,  by  continuous  degrees. 
The  piano,  organ,  &c,  give  discrete  degrees ; 
the  harp,  violin,  &c,  continuous  degrees. 

335.  The  following  sentences  may  be  read, 
with  either  the  falling,  or  the  rising  inflec- 
tion ;  and  the  pupil  should  determine,  from 
the  sense,  &c,  the  object  of  the  question.  1 .  Is 
not  good  reading  and  speaking  a  very  rare 
iftuiument  ?  2.  How  are  we  to  recover  from 
the  effects  of  the  fall?  3.  Are  we  natually 
inclined  to  evil  or  good?  4.  Is  it  possible  for 
man  to  save  himself?  5.  Who  is  entitled  to 
the  more  honor,  Columbus,  or  Washington  ? 
6.  Which  is  the  more  useful  member  in  so- 
ciety, the  farmer,  or  the  mechanic  ?  7.  Ought 
there  to  be  any  restrictions  to  emigration  ? 
8.  Will  any  one,  who  knows  his  own  heart, 
trust  himself? 

336.  The  inflections  —  may,  perhaps,  be 
better  understood,  by  contrasting  them  with 
the  monotone  ;  which  is  nearly  one  continued 
sound,  without  elevation,  or  depression,  and 
may  be  represented  by  a  straight  horizontal 

line,  thus  ;  .    In  the  use  of  the 

inflections,  the  voice  departs  from  the  mono- 
tone, and  its  radical,  in  a  continued  elevation 
or  depression,  two,  three,  five,  or  eight  notes, 
according  to  the  intensity  of  the  affirmation, 
interrogation,  command,  petition,  or  nega- 
tion ;  which  are  the  five  distinctive  attributes 
of  the  vital  parts  of  speech. 

337*  Some  of  man's  characteristics. 
His  position  is  naturally  upright ;  he  has  free 
use  of  both  hands :  hence,  he  is  called  the 
only  too-handed  animal:  the  prominence  of 
his  chin,  and  the  uniform  length  of  his  teeth, 
are  peculiar:  he  is,  physically,  defenceless, 
having  neither  weapons  of  attack  nor  of  de- 
fence: his  facial  angle  is  greater  than  that 
of  any  other  animal ;  being  from  70°  to  90° : 
he  has  generally  the  largest  brains :  he  is  the 
only  animal  that  sleeps  on  his  back :  the  only 
one  that  laughs  and  iveeps ;  the  only  one 
that  has  an  articulate  language,  expressive 
of  ideas :  and  he  is  the  only  one  endued  with 
reason  and  moral  sense ,  and  a  capacity  for 
religion ,-  the.  only  being  capable  of  serving 
God  intelligibly. 

MILTON. 

Thy  soul — was  like  a  star — and  dwelt  apart; 
Thou  hadst  a.  voice — whose  sound  was  like  the  sea. 
Pure — as  the  naked  heavens,  majestic,  free. 
So  didst  1'nou  travel — on  life's  common  way, 
In  cheerful  godliness;  and  yet — thy  heart 
The  lowliest  duties — on  herself  did  lay. 


Proverbs.  1.  As  you  sow,  you  shall  reap. 
2.  JJetray  no  trust,  and  divulge  no  secret.  3.  Chide 
not  severely,  nor  punish  hastily.  4.  Despise  none, 
and  despair  of  none.  5.  Envy  caimot  see;  igno- 
rance cannot  judge.  6.  Gossiping  and  lying,  ge- 
nerally go  hand  in  hand.  7.  He,  who  sioears, 
distrusts  his  own  word.  8.  It  is  not  easy  to  love 
those,  whom  we  do  not  esteem.  9.  Labor  brings 
pleasure;  idleness — pain.  10.  Many  a  true  word 
is  spoken  in  jest.  11.  He  who  serves — is  not  free. 
12.  First  come,  first  served.  13.  AVhen  gold  speaks, 
all  tongues  are  silent. 

Anecdote.  Don't  know  him.  Lord  Nel- 
son, when  a  boy,  being  on  a  visit  to  his  aunt's, 
went  one  day  a  hunting,  and  wandered  so 
far,  that  he  did  not  return,  till  long  after  dark. 
The  lady,  who  was  much  alarmed  by  his  ab- 
sence, scolded  him  severely ;  and  among  other 
things  said;  I  wonder  Fear  did  not  drive  you 
home.  "Fear,"  replied  the  lad,  "J  don't 
know  him.'" 

Progress  of  Society.  Whoever  has  at- 
tentively meditated— on  the  progress  of  the 
human  race,  cannot  fail  to  discern,  that  there 
is  now  a  spirit  of  inquiry  amongst  men, 
which  nothing  can  stop,  or  even  materially 
control.  Reproach  and  obloquy,  threats  and 
persecution,  will  be  in  vain.  They  may  im- 
bitter  opposition  and  engender  violence,  but 
they  cannot  abate  the  keenness  of  research. 
There  is  a  silent  march  of  thought,  which  no 
power  can  arrest,  and  which,  it  is  not  difficult 
to  foresee,  will  be  marked  by  importanterenfa. 
Mankind  were  never  before  in  the  situation  in 
which  they  now  stand.  The  press  has  been 
operating  upon  them  for  several  centuries, 
with  an  influence  scarcely  perceptible  at  its 
commencement,  but  by  daily  becoming  more 
palpable,  and  acquiring  accelerated  force,  it 
is  rousing  the  intellect  of  nations,-  and  happy 
will  it  be  for  them,  if  there  be  no  rash  inter- 
ference with  the  natural  progress  of  know- 
ledge; and  if  by  a  judicious  and  gradual 
adaptation  of  their  institutions  to  the  inevit- 
able changes  of  opinion,  they  are  saved  from 
those  convulsions,  which  the  pride,  prejudices 
and  obstinacy  of  a  few  may  occasion  to  the 
whole. 

"Varieties.     1.  A    good  wife  —  is  like  a 
snail.    Why '.'    Because  she  keeps  in  her  own 
house :  a  good  wife  is  not  like  a  snail.  Why  7 
Because  she  does  not  carry  her  all  on  her 
back:    a   good  wife  is  like  a  town  clock. 
Why '!    Because  she  keeps  good  time :    a 
good  wife  is  not  like  a  town  clock.    Why  T 
Eecause  she  does  not  speak  so  loud,  that  all 
the  town  can  hear  her:  a  good  wife  is  like  an 
echo.    Why  1    Because  she  speaks  when  spo- 
ke?! to:  agoodwife  is?io/like  an  echo.  Why'' 
Because  .she  docs  not  tell — all  she  hears. 
Ye  maidens  fair — consider  well, 
And  look  both  shrewd,  and  sly, 
Ere  rev'rend  lips,  make  good  the  knot, 
Your  teeth — will  ne'er  untie 


120 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


338.  Inflections.  An  anecdote  may 
serve  to  present  this  important  branch  of  our 
subject,  in  a  light  easy  to  be  understood  by 
all.  An  elderly  gentleman  asked  the  author, 
if  ,he  thought  it  possible  for  him  to  learn  to 
sing  ?  He  was  answered  in  the  affirmative, 
provided  he  laved  music,  and  was  anxious  to 
learn.  His  voice  was  quite  flexible,  and  va- 
ried, in  conversation,  and  he  used  all  the 
notes  of  the  scale,  except  two.  It  was 
thought,  upon  the  spur  of  the  moment,  to 
get  the  old  man  a  little  angry,  (and  after- 
wards beg  his  pardon,)  in  order  to  induce 
him  to  slide  his  voice  through  the  octave :  the 
effort  was  successful ;  and  with  much  feeling, 
he  again  asked, "  Do  you  say  sir,  that  (1)  I — 
can  learn  to  sing?  an  old  man  like  me?" 
carrying  his  voice  from  the  first  to  the  eighth 
note,  on  1,  sing,  and  me.  Just  then  a  friend 
came  in,  to  whom  he  observed,  with  incred- 
ulous surprise,  mingled  with  a  little  con- 
tempt,— "He  says  7 can  learn  to  sing:"  and 
his  voice  fell  from  the  eighth  to  the  first  note, 
on  I. 

339.  No  one  can  read  the  following  sen- 
tence of  org,  even  in  the  common  manner, 
without  any  regard  to  inflections,  and  not 
give  the  word  before  or,  the  riswg  inflection, 
and  the  one  after  it,  the  falling  inflection ; 
and  the  reader's  ear  must  be  the  judge. 
Good, or  bad,-  true,  or false ;  right, or  wrong; 
this,  or  that ;  boy,  or  girl;  man,  or  woman ; 
male,  or  female ;  land,  or  water ;  over,  or 
under;  above,  or  be  low ;  before,  ox  behind; 
within, or  without ;  old,  or  young;  strength, 
or  weakness;  fine,  or  coarse;  one,  or  two  ; 
you,  or  I;  well,  or  ill;  kind,  or  unkind; 
black,  or  white;  red,  or  green,-  rough,  or 
smoothe  ,-  hard,  or  soft ;  straight,  or  crook- 
ed ;  long,  or  short ;  round,  or  square  ;  fat, 
or  lean ;  swift,  or  slow ,-  up,  or  down.  If 
the  reader  does  not  satisfy  himself  the  first 
time,  let  him  practice  on  these  phrases  till  he 
does. 

340.  Reading.  The  purposes  of  reading 
are  three:  the  acquisition  of  knowledge,  as- 
sisting the  memory  in  treasuring  it  up,  and 
the  communication  of  it  to  others :  hence, 
we  see  the  necessity  of  reading  aloud.  The 
ancient  Greeks  never  read  in  public,  but  reci- 
ted from  memorxi ;  of  course,  if  we  wish  to 
succeed  as  they  did,  we  must  follow  in  their 
footsteps.  How  much  better  it  would  be,  if 
clergymen  would  memorize  those  portions 
of  the  Bible,  which  they  wish  to  read  in 
public'  But  it  may  be  said,  that  the  task 
would  be  a  severe  one :  true,  but  how  much 
more  effect  might  be  produced  on  themselves 
and  Olivers :  and  then  to  have  a  large  part,  or 
the  whole,  of  that  blessed  book,  stored  up  in 
the  mind,  for  use  here  and  hereafter .' 

The  business  that  we  love,  we  raise  berime. 
And  go  to — with  delight. 


Proverbs.  1.  The  remedy  is  often  worse 
than  the  disease.  2.  To  him  that  wills,  ways  are 
seldom  wanting.  3.  A  well-balanced  mind — will 
resist  the  pressure  of  adversity.  4.  Be  always  on 
your  guard,  against  the  advices  of  the  wicked, 
when  you  come  in  contact  with  them.  5.  Blessed 
is  he,  that  readtlh,  and  undtrstandeth  what  lit 
readeth.  6.  Take  it  for  granted,  there  can  be  no 
excellence,  without  labor.  7.  The  rich  man  is  often 
a  stranger  to  the  quiet  and  content  of  the  poor  man. 
S.  Beware  of  gathering  scorpions,  for  this,  or  the 
future  world.  9.  There  is  no  general  rule,  with- 
out exceptions.  10.  Every  light — is  not  the  sun. 
11.  Never  be  angry— at  what  you  cannot  help. 

Anecdote.  Use  of  Falsehood.  A  jury, 
which  was  directed  by  the  Judge,  to  bring  in 
a  certain  prisoner  guilty,  on  his  own  confes- 
sion and  plea,  returned  a  verdict  of  "Not 
Guilty  ,•"  and  offered,  as  a  reason,  that  they 
knew  the  fellow  to  be  so  great  a  liar,  they 
did  not  believe  him. 

Talent.  One  man,  perhaps,  proves  miser- 
able in  the  study  of  the  law,  who  might  have 
flourished  in  that  of  physic,  or  divinity ;  an- 
other— runs  his  head  against  the  pulpit,  who 
might  have  been  serviceable  to  his  country  at 
the  plough  ;  and  a  third — proves  a  very  dull 
and  heavy  philosopher,  who  possibly  would 
have  made  a  good  mechanic,  and  have  done 
well  enough  at  the  useful  philosophy  of  the 
spade  or  anvil. 

Varieties — in  the  Uses  of  Inflections.  1. 
Is  genuine  repentance  founded  in  love,  or 
fear?  2.  Can  we  intentionally  offend  a  per- 
son, luhom  we  truly  love  ?  3.  Have  not  angel- 
ic, as  well  as  satanic  beings,  once  been  men, 
and  women,  on  some  of  the  countless  earth* 
in  the  universe  ?  4.  Has  any  one  actual  sin, 
till  he  violates  the  known  will  of  God,  and 
ail  fully  sins  against  his  own  conscience? 
5.  How  can  the  Red  man  be  forgotten,  while 
so  many  of  the  states,  territories,  moun- 
tains, rivers  and  lakes,  bear  their  names  ?  6. 
Since  decision  of  character  can  be  acquired 
by  discipline,  what  is  the  best  method  to  ac- 
quire it?  The  firm  resolve — to  obtain  that 
knowledge,  necessary  for  a  choice,  and  then 
to  do  what  we  know  to  be  right,  at  any,  and 
every  peril.  7.  What  places  are  better  adap- 
ted than  theatres,  in  their  present  degrada- 
tion, to  teach  the  theory  and  practice  of  fash- 
ionable iniquity  ?  8.  What  is  a  more  faith- 
ful, or  pleasant  friend,  than  a  good  book  ? 

When  you  mournfully  rivet — your  tear-laden  eyes, 

That  have  seen  the  last  sunset  of  hope — pass  away, 
On  some  bright  orb,  that  seems,  through  the  still  sapphire  sh,. 

In  beauty  and  splendor,  to  roll  on  its  way : 
Oh  remember,  this  earth,  if  beheld  from  afar, 

Would  seem  wrapt  in  a  halo — as  clear  and  as  bright 
As  the  pure  silver  radiance — enshrining  yon  star, 

Where  your  spirit— is  eagerly  soaring  to-night. 
And  at  this  very  moment,  perhaps,  some  poor  heart, 

That  is  aching  and  breaking  in  that  distant  sphere, 
Gazes  down  on  this  dark  vxrld,  and  longs  to  depart 

From  its  own  dismal  home,  to  a  brighter  one  Act  t. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


121 


341.  The  Rising  Inflection  (').  This 
indicates  that  the  voice  glides  upward  con- 
tinuously, on  the  more  important  words.  Ex. 
Do  you  say  that  /  can  learn  to  singl  Are 
you  going  to  town  to-day?  Is  he  a  good 
man  1  Do  you  love  and  practice  the  truth  ? 
Is  it  your  desire  to  become  Useful ?  Do  you 
wish  to  become  a  good  reader,  speaker,  and 
singer?  Is  there  not  a  difference  between 
word-",  thought*,  and  feelings? 

342.  Three  Modes  of  Existence.  May 
we  not  appropriately  contemplate  our  bodies, 
and  our  minds,  as  consisting  of  three  degrees, 
each  having  its  own  legitimate  sphere?  Is 
not  each  like  a  three  story  house,  with  three 
successive  suits  of  apartments,  which  may  be 
called — the  lower,  the  middle  and  the  up' per? 
Are  there  not  three  vital  degrees  of  the  body, 
the  abdominal,  the  thoracic,  and  the  enceph'- 
alic?  And  does  not  the  mind  consist  of  as 
many  degrees,  called  scientific,  rational  and 
affect tuous?  or,  natural,  spiritual  and  heav- 
enly ?  Is  there  not  in  us,  as  it  were,  a  ladder 
reaching  from  earth  to  hearten?  Shall  we 
not  ascend,  and  descend  upon  it,  and  thus 
take  a  view  of  both  the  worlds  in  which  we 
live  1  But  will  not  the  material  part  soon 
die,  and  the  soul — live  forerter?  Then  does 
not  ivisdom  say,  attend  to  each,  according  to 
its  importance?  Are  we  not  wonderfully 
made'?  Doth  our  soul  know  it  right  well'? 
And  will  we  praise  our  Redeemer,  by  doing 
his  will!? 

343.  On  examining  children, in  an  unper- 
x tried  state,  and  all  animals,  it  will  invariably 
be  found,  that  they  use  the  lower  muscles  for 
breathing,  and  producing  sounds.  Who  is 
not  aware  that  children  will  halloo,  all  day 
long,  without  becoming  hoarse,  or  exhausted  ? 
And  how  often  it  is  the  case,  that  purents  wish 
their  children  to  call  persons  at  a  distance,  be- 
ing aware  that  they  have  themselves  lost  the 
power  to  speak  as  formerly.  Now  all  that  is 
necessary  to  be  done,  by  such  individuals,  is  to 
retrace  their  steps  to  truth  and  nature.  Re- 
member, that  examples,  in  thi*  art  especially, 
are  better  than  precenfr: .-  rules  are  to  prevent 
faults,  not  to  introduce  beauties  ;  therefore, 
become  so  familiar  ■with  them,  that  they  may 
govern  your  practice  involuntarily. 

Anecdote.  Gold  Pills.  Dr.  Goldsmith, 
having  been  requested  by  a  wife,  to  visit  her 
husband,  who  was  melancholy,  called  upon 
the  patient,  and  seeing  that  the  cause  was 
poverty,  told  him  he  would  send  him  some 
pills,  which  he  had  no  doubt  would  prove 
efficacious.  He  immediately  went  home,  put 
ten  guineas  into  a  paper,  and  sent  them  to 
the  sick  man :  the  remedy  had  the  desired 
effect. 

Suspicion — overturns — what  confidence — builds  ; 
And  he,  who  d  ares  but  doubt  when  there's  noground , 
Is  neither  to  himself,  nor  others — sound. 
16 


Proverbs.  1.  Good  manners  are  sure  to  pro- 
cure respect.  2.  Self-conceit  makes  opinion  obsti- 
nate. 3.  Knowledge  is  the  mind's  treasure.  4. 
Make  the  best  of  a  bad  bargain.  5.  Never  speak 
to  deceive,  nor  listen  to  betray.  6.  Passion — is  ever 
the  enemy  of  truth.  7.  Prefer  loss,  to  unjust  gain; 
and  solid  sense,  to  wit.  8.  Quit  not  certainty  for 
hope.  9.  Rejoice  in  the  truth,  and  maintain  it.  10. 
Seek  not  after  the  failings  of  others.  11.  Might — 
does  not  make  right.  12.  Divinity — cannot  be  de- 
fined.   13.  Deride  not  the  unfortunate. 

Philosophy.  Philosophy,  so  far  from  de- 
serving contempt,  is  the  glory  of  human  na- 
ture. Man  approaches,  by  contemplation,  to 
what  we  conceive  of  celestial  purity  and  ex- 
cellence. Without  the  aid  of  philosophy,  the 
mass  of  mankind,  all  over  the  terraqueous 
globe,  would  have  sunk  in  slavery  and  super- 
stition, —  the  natural  consequences  of  gross 
ignorance.  Men,  at  the  very  bottom  of  so- 
ciety, have  been  enabled,  by  the  natural 
t;i  In  its  they  possessed,  seconded  by  favorable 
opportunities,  to  reach  the  highest  improve- 
ments in  philosophy;  and  have  thus  lifted 
up  a  torch  in  the  valley,  which  has  exposed 
the  weakness  and  deformity  of  the  castle  on 
the  mountain,  from  which  the  repressors  sal- 
lied, in  the  night  of  darkness,  and  spread 
desolation  with  impunity.  Despots.-  the 
meanest,  the  basest,  the  most  brutal  and  ig- 
norant of  the  human  race,  who  would  have 
trampled  on  the  rights  and  happiness  of  men 
unresisted,  if  philosophy  had  not  opened  the 
eyes  of  the  sufferers,  shown  them  their  own 
power  and  dignity,  and  taught  them  to  despise 
those  giants  of  power,  as  they  appeared  thro' 
the  mists  of  ignm-ance,  who  ruled  a  vassal 
world  with  a  mace  of  iron.  Liberty — is  the 
daughter  of  philosophy;  and  they  who  de- 
tost  the  offspring,  do  all  that  they  can  to  vilify 
and  discountenance  the  mother. 

Varieties.  1 .  Vv'nat  is  humility,  and 
what  are  ita  effects?  2.  Vice — stings  us, 
ever,  in  our  pleasures  ;  but  virtue — consoles 
us,  even  in  our  pains.  3.  Cowards — die  many 
times;  the  valiant — never  taste  of  death  but 
once.  4.  True  friendship  is  like  sound 
health ;  the  value  of  it  is  seldom  known  till  it 
is  lost.  5.  Young  folks  tell  what  they  do;  old 
ones,  what  they  have  done ;  and  fools,  what 
they  will  do.  6.  Men's  evil  manners  live  in 
brass;  their  virtues,  we  write  in  sand.  7. 
The  natural  effects  of  (4)  fidelity,  (5)  clem- 
ency and  (G)  kindness,  in  governors,  are 
peace,  good-will,  order  and  esteem,  on  the  part 
of  the  governed.  8.  Never  make  yourself 
too  little  for  the  sphere  of  duty ;  but  stretch, 
and  expand  yourself  to  the  compass  of  its  ob- 
jects. 9.  (4)  Friends,  (5)  Romans,  (6)  coun- 
trymen— lend  me  your  ears;  I  come  to  bury 
Cesar,  not  to  praise  him.  10.  All  truths — 
are  but  forms  of  heavenly  loves  ;  and  all  fal- 
sities— are  the  forms  of  infernal  loves. 

If  you  would  excel  in  arts,  excel  in  industry. 


122 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


344.  Inflections.  One  very  encourag- 
ing feature  of  our  interesting  subject  is,  that 
all  our  principles  are  drawn  from  nature,  and 
are  therefore  inherent  in  every  one ;  the  grand 
design  is  to  develop  our  minds  and  bodies  in 
accordance  with  these  principles;  which  can 
be  done,  not  by  silently  reading  the  work, 
or  thinking  about  its  contents;  but,  by  pa- 
tient, persevering  practice:  this,  only,  can 
enable  us  to  overcome  our  bad  habits,  and 
brbig  our  voices,  words,  and  mind  into  har- 
mony, so  that  the  externals  may  perfectly 
correspond  to  the  internals. 

345.  1.  Is  there  aught,  in  eloquence — 
that  can  warm  the  heart  ?  She  draws  her 
fxre  from  natural  "imagery.  Is  there  aught 
in  poitry  —  to  enliven  the  imagination  ? 
Th">re — is  the  secret  of  her  power.  2.  Do 
you  love  to  gaze  at  the  (3)  sun,  the  (4)  moon, 
and  the  (6)  planets  ?  This  affection  con- 
tains the  science  of  astronomy,  as  the  seed 
— contains  the  future  tree.  Would  a  few 
pence — duty,  on  tea,  for  raising  a  revenue, 
nave  ruined  the  fortunes  of  any  of  the  Amer- 
icans ?  No!  but  the  payment  of  one  penny, 
on  the  principle  it  was  demanded,  would 
have  made  them — slaves. 

346.  Invalids — will  find  the  principle, 
and  practice,  here  set  forth,  of  great  service 
to  them,  if  they  possess  the  strength,  and 
have  the  resolution,  to  adopt  them ;  and  they 
will  often  derive  special  aid  by  attempting  to 
do  something :  for  the  7iiind,  by  a  determina- 
tion of  the  will,  can  be  brought  to  act  upon 
the  nervous  system,  in  such  a  way,  as  to  start 
the  flow  of  the  blood  on  its  career  of  health, 
and  strength ;  and,  ere  they  are  aware  of  it, 
they  will  be  ready  to  mount  up  as  with  the 
wings  of  an  eagle,  and  leave  all  care,  and 
trouble,  and  anxiety  on  the  earth.  Let  them 
try  it,  and  they  will  see :  persevere. 

Anecdote.  The  Cobbler.  A  cobbler,  at 
Leyden,  who  used  to  attend  the  public  dis- 
putations, held  at  the  academy,  was  once 
asked  if  he  understood  Latin.  "  No,"  replied 
the  mechanic,  "  but  I  know  who  is  wrong  in 
the  argument."  "  How  P"  repbed  his  friend. 
"  Why,  by  seeing  who  is  angry  first." 

Lift  up  thine  eyes,  afflicted  soul ! 

From  earth — lift  up  thine  eyes, 
Though  dark — the  evening  shadows  roll. 

And  daylight  beauty — dies ; 
One  sun  is  set — a  thousand  more 

Their  rounds  of  glory  run, 
Where  science  leads  thee — to  explore 

In  every  star — a  sun. 
Thus,  when  some  long-loved  comfort  ends, 

And  nature  would  despair, 
Faith — to  the  heaven  of  heavens  ascends, 

And  meets  ten  thousand  there  ; 
First,  faint  and  small,  then,  clear  and  bright, 

They  gladden  all  the  gloom, 
And  stars,  that  seem  but  points  of  light, 

The  rank  of  suns  assume. 


Proverbs.  1.  The  body  contains  the  working 
tools  of  the  mind;  master  your  tools,  or  you  will 
be  a  bad  workman.  2.  Here,  and  there ;  or,  this 
world,  and  the  next,  is  a  good  subject  for  reflection. 
3.  An  artist  lives  ei'en/ where.  4.  The  body  —  is 
the  image,  or  type,  of  the  soul;  and  the  soul  is 
visible,  only  through  it.  5.  Never  refuse,  a  good 
offer,  in  hopes  of  a  better  one  ;  the  first  is  certain; 
the  last  is  only  hope.  6.  A  promiscuous  and  su- 
perficial study  of  books,  seldom  yields  much  solid 
information.  7.  Tho'  ruin  ensue,  justice  must 
not  be  infringed.  8.  Those  things  become  us  best, 
that  appertain  to  our  situation  in  life.  9.  Pros- 
perity— intoxicates  and  disturbs  the  mind  :  adversi- 
ty— subdues  and  ameliorates  it.  10.  The  strongest 
symptoms  of  wisdom  in  us,  is  being  sensible  of  our 
follies.  11.  A  good  man — is  not  an  object  of  fear. 
12.  Friendship — is  stronger  than  kindred.  13. 
Sin  is  sin,  whether  seen  or  not. 

Duelling.  We  read,  in  Swedish  history, 
that  Adolphus,  king  of  Sweden,  determining 
to  suppress  these  false  notions  of  honor,  is- 
sued a  severe  edict  against  the  practice.  Two 
gentlemen,  however,  generals  in  his  service, 
on  a  quarrel,  agreed  to  solicit  the  king's  per- 
mission, to  decide  their  difference  by  the  laws 
of  honor.  The  king  consented,  and  said,  he 
would  be  present  at  the  combat.  He  was  at- 
tended by  a  body  of  guards  and  the  public 
executioner,  and  before  they  proceeded  to 
the  onset,  he  told  these  gentlemen,  that  they 
must  fight  till  one  of  them  died.  Then,  turn- 
ing to  the  executioner,  he  added,  do  you  im- 
mediately strike  off  the  head  of  the  survivor. 
This  had  the  intended  effect ;  the  difference 
between  the  two  officers  was  adjusted,  and 
no  more  challenges  were  heard  of  in  the  army 
of  Gustavus  Adolphus. 

Varieties.  1.  Oh !  w ho  can  describe  wo- 
man's love,  or  woman's  constancy.  2.  Can 
the  immortality  of  the  soul  be  proved  from 
the  light  of  nature  ?  3.  If  the  sculptor  could 
put  life  into  his  works,  would  he  not  resem- 
ble a  good  orator  ?  4.  Can  we  be  too  zealous 
in  promoting  a  good,  cause  ?  5.  Are  mira- 
cles the  most  convincing  evidences  of  truth  ? 
6.  Is  it  not  very  hard  to  cherish  unkind  feel- 
ings, and  thoughts,  without  showing  them  in 
unkind  words  and  actions  ?  7.  Are  theatres 
— beneficial  to  mankind'.'  8.  Ought  any 
thing  be  received,  without  due  examination  ? 
9.  Do  you  wish  to  know  the  persons,  against 
whom  you  have  most  reason  to  guard  your- 
self? your  looking-glass  will  reveal  him  to 
you.  10.  If  a  man  is  in  earnest,  would  you 
therefore  call  him  a  fanatic. 

They  are  sleeping .'  Who  are  sleeping  ? 

Captives,  in  their  gloomy  cells  ; 
Yet  sweet  dreams  are  o'er  them  creeping, 

With  their  many-colored  spells. 
All  they  love — again  they  clasp  them  j 

Feel  again — their  long-  lost  joys; 
But  the  haste — with  which  they  grasp  them, 

Every  fairy  form  destroys. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


123 


34.7.  The  Falling  Inflection  Q)  in- 
dicates that  the  voice  glides  downwards, 
continuously,  on  the  more  important  words. 
1.  ''  Where  are  you  going?  2.  Of  what 
are  you  thinking?  3.  Who  sendeth  the 
early  and  the  latter  rain  1  4.  What  things 
are  most  proper  for  youth  to  learn  ]  Those 
that  they  are  to  practice,  when  they  enter 
upon  the  stage  of  action.  5.  Be  always  sure 
you  are  right,  then  go  ahead."  6.  Begird  ; 
be  bold, — and  venture  to  be  wise :  He  who 
defers  this  work,  from  day  to  day,  Does  on  a 
river's  brink  expecting,  stay,  Till  the  whole 
stream,  that  stopt  him,  shall  be  gone, — That 
runs,  and  runs,  and  ever  will  run  on.  7.  I 
do  not  so  much  request,  as  demand  your 
attention.  8.  Seek  the  truth  for  its  own 
sake,  and  out  of  love  for  it ;  and  when  found, 
embrace  it,  let  it  cut  where  it  ivill;  for  it  is 
all  powerful,  and  must  prevail. 

348.  Never  begin,  or  end,  two  successive 
sentences  on  the  same  pitch:  neither  two 
lines  in  poetry;  nor  two  members  of  a  sen- 
tence ;  nor  two  words  meaning  different 
things ;  if  you  do,  it  will  be  monotonous. 
The  3d,  4th,  or  5th  note  is  the  proper  pitch 
for  commencing  to  read  or  speak ;  the  force 
must  be  determined  by  the  occasion,  the  size 
of  the  room,  the  sense,  &c.  If  we  are  in 
the  middle  of  the  pitches,  we  can  rise  ox  fall 
according  to  circumstances  ;  but  if  we  begin 
too  high,  or  too  low,  we  shall  be  liable  to 
extremes.  Look  at  those  of  the  audience  at 
a  medium  distance,  and  you  will  not  greatly 
err  in  pitch. 

349.  Mental  Philosophy  —  treats  of 
the  faculties  of  the  human  mind;  their  laws 
and  actions,  with  a  general  reference  to  their 
use  and  cultivation.  It  teaches,  that  the 
two  constituents  of  mind — are  the  will  and 
the  understanding;  the  former  is  the  re- 
ceptacle of  all  our  affections,  good,  or  evil; 
the  latter,  of  all  our  thoughts,  true  or  false. 
Phrenology — may  be  considered,  to  a  certain 
extent,  as  the  highway  to  the  philosophy  of 
mind ;  but  it  is  not  a  sure  guide,  being  found- 
ed on  the  philosophy  of  effects,  instead  of 
that  of  causes;  as  is  the  case  with  all  the 
sciences  :  hence,  it  cannot  be  depended  on. 
To  judge  righteously  of  the  subject  of  mind, 
we  must  have  the  whole  man;  which  in- 
volves phrenology,  physiology,  and  psycholo- 
gy: all  of  which  must  be  seen  in  the  light 
of  truth,  natural,  and  spiritual. 

Anecdote.  Ehymetry.  When  queen 
Elizabeth  visited  the  town  of  Falkenstene, 
the  inhabitants  employed  their  parish  clerk — 
to  versify  their  address :  the  mayor,  on  be- 
ing introduced,  with  great  gravity  mounted 
a  three  legged  stool,  and  commenced  his 
poetical  declamation  thus:  —  "O  mighty 
queen,  Welcome  to  Falkenstene .'"  Eliza- 
beth burst  out  in  a  loud  roar  of  laughter; 
and,  without  giving  his  worship  time  to  re- 
cover himself,  she  replied,  "You  great  fool, 
Get  off  that  stool.'''' 

Keep  company  with  the  wise  and  good. 


Proverbs.  1.  Speech — is  the  image  of  action. 
2.  Superstition — is  the  spleen  of  the  soul.  3.  Sus- 
pect ;i  tale-bearer,  and  trust  him  not.  4.  Suspicion 
— is  the  passion  of  true  friendship.  5.  Sweet  are 
the  slumbers  of  the  virtuous.  6.  Safe  is  he,  who 
serves  a  good  conscience.  7.  Never  do  a  mean 
action.  8.  Set  not  loo  high  a  value  on  your  own 
abilities.  9.  Simple  diet  makes  healthy  children. 
10.  Sneer  not  at  thai  you  cannot  rival.  11.  The 
best  answer  to  a  slander — is  silence.  12.  Vice — is 
infamous  in  every  body. 

Compassion.  Compassion — is  an  emo- 
tion, of  which  we  ought  never  to  be  asham- 
ed. Graceful,  particularly  in  youth,  is  the 
tear  of  sympathy,  and  the  heart,  that  melts 
at  the  tale  of  wo;  we  should  not  permit  ease 
and  indulgence  to  contract  our  affections, 
and  wrap  us  up  in  a  selfish  enjoyment.  But 
we  should  accustom  ourselves  to  think  of 
the  distresses  of  human  life,  of  the  solitary 
cottage,  the  dying  parent,  and  the  weeping 
orphan.  Nor  ought  we  ever  to  sport  with 
pain  and  distress,  in  any  of  our  amusements, 
or  treat  even  the  meanest  insect  with  wanton 
cruelty. 

Varieties.  1.  What  does  the  tree  of  life 
signify,  and  what  the  knowledge  of  good  and 
evil,  and  what  the  eating  from  them?  2. 
What  heaps  of  the  ruins  of  a  former  world, 
are  piled  up  to  form  the  substratum,  and 
surface,  of  the  one  we  inhabit  ?  3.  Why  is 
the  Caucasian,  or  European  race,  so  migra- 
tory and  unsettled  in  its  habits  and  propen- 
sities, while  the  African  race  seems  dis- 
posed to  stay  at  home,  contented,  and  happy  ? 
4.  Where,  in  the  brain,  is  the  determina- 
tion of  the  mind,  when  we  think  intensely  ? 
Is  it  not  where  phrenologists  locate  causal- 
ity 1  5.  Why  is  the  eye  used  to  represent 
wisdom?  6.  Who  knoweth,  (says  Solomon,) 
the  spirit  of  man,  that  goeth  upward,  and 
the  spirit  of  the  beast,  that  goeth  downward  ? 
7.  Why  is  a  circle — used  to  represent  eter- 
nity ? 

THE   DYING   CHRISTIAN  TO  HIS  SOUL. 

Vital  spark — of  heavenly  flame ! 
Quit,  oh  quit  this  mortal  frame  ; 
Trembling,  hoping,  lingering,  flying, 
Oh,  ihe  pain,  the  bliss — of  dying! 
Cease,  fond  nature,  cease  thy  strife, 
And  let  me  languish — into  life. 
Hark!  they  whisper;  angels  say, 
"  Sister  spirit,  come  away." 
AVhat  is  tliis — absorbs  me  quite :  . 
Steals  my  senses, — shuts  my  sight, 
Drowns  my  spirits, — draws  my  breath  ! 
Tell  me,  my  soul,  can  this — be  death? 
The  world  recedes  ;  it  disappears  ! 
Heaven — opens  on  my  eyes!  my  ears 

With  sounds  seraphic  ring: — 
Lend,  lend  your  icings  !  I  mount!  \fly  ' 
O  grave!  where — is  thy  victory? 

0  death!  where — is  thy  sting? 

1  hate  to  see — a  shabby  book, 

With  half  the  leaves — torn  out, 
And  used,  as  if  its  owner — thought 
Twere  made-  -to  toss  about. 


124 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


350.  Inflections.  The  reader  sees  that 
the  rising  inflection  is  used,  when  questions 
are  asked,  that  may  be  answered  by  yes,  or 
no;  also,  in  cases  of  doubt  and  uncertainty: 
and  that  the  falling  inflection  is  used,  when 
questions  are  asked  that  are  not  thus  an- 
swered ;  and  in  all  cases  of  strong  affirma- 
tion. Some  authors  seem  not  to  have  no- 
ticed the  distinction  between  a  rising  inflec- 
tion of  the  voice,  and  a  simple  suspension 
of  it,  when  there  is  a  continuation  of  the 
sense.  Let  us  not  rely  too  much  on  the  in- 
flections,  to  enable  us  to  give  variety,  but 
on  the  different  pitches  of  voice:  the  former 
gives  artificial  variety,  and  the  latter,  a 
natural  one. 

351.  1.  Accustom  yourself  to  submit,  on 
all  occasions,  (even  in  the  most  minute,  as 
well  as  the  most  important  circumstances  in 
life,)  to  a  small,  present  evil,  to  obtain  a 
greater,  distant  good.  This  will  give  de- 
cision, tone,  and  energy  to  the  mind; 
which,  thus  disciplined,  will  often  reap  victo- 
ry— from  defeat,  and  honor — from  repulse. 
Having  acquired  this  invaluable  habit  of 
rational  preference,  and  just  appreciation, 
start  for  the  prize  that  enclureth  forever.  2. 
The  man,  whose  house  is  on  fire,  cries — 
Fire!  fireM!  FTREM!!  with  the  faMng 
inflection :  but  the  roguish  hoy,  who  would 
raise  a  fake  alarm,  cries,  Fire,  fire,  fire, 
with  the  rising  inflection.  3.  This  is  an 
(5)  open,  (4)  honorable  challenge;  why  are 
you  (6)  silent?  Why  do  you  {^prevari- 
cate? I  (6)  insist  upon  this  point;  I  (5) 
urge  you  to  it:  (4)  press  it;  nay,  I  (3)  de- 
mand— it. 

353.  The  end,  the  cause  and  the  effect, 
are  the  three  distinct  things,  which  follow 
each  other  in  regular  and  successive  order; 
for  every  thing,  in  this  world,  and  in  the 
other,  proceeds  according  to  these  degrees: 
hence,  intelligence — properly  consists  in 
knowing  and  distinguishing  them,  and  see- 
i/ig  them  in  their  order.  Illustration:  the 
end  of  man  is  the  love  of  his  will;  for  what 
one  loves,  he  proposes  and  intends:  the 
cause  with  him  is  the  reason  01  the  under- 
standing; for  the  end,  by  means  of  the  rea- 
son, seeks  for  mediates,  or  efficient  causes: 
and  the  effect  is  the  operation  of  the  body 
from,  and  according  to,  them.  When  these 
three  are  exhibitedln  act,  the  end  is  inward- 
ly in  the  cause,  and  thro"1  the  cause  in  the 
effect;  wherefore,  they  co-exist  in  the  effect. 
Hence,  the  propriety  of  judging  every  one  — 
by  his  works;  that  is,  by  his  fruits:  for  the 
end.  or  the  love  of  the  will,  and  the  cause, 
or  the  reason  of  his  understanding,  are  to- 
gether in  the  effects;  which  three  constitute 
the  whole  man. 

Oli  how  poor 
Seems  the  rich  gift  of  genius,  when  it  lies, 
Like  the  ad"pr.".uioa=>  oc/d,  Utiu  iih.lL  cin-2own 
His  strength — upon  the  sea,  ambition-wrecked — 
A  tlriig — the  thrush  might  pity,  as  she  sits, 
Brooding  in  quiet,  on  ner  lowly  nest. 


Proverbs.  1.  Through  the  ear,  we  must  find 
access  to  the  heart.  2.  Hunger  makes  every  kind 
of  food  acceptable.  3.  Death — is  the  finishing 
stroke  in  the  picture  of  life.  4.  The  remembrance 
of  labors  performed,  and  difficulties  overcome,  is  al- 
ways agreeable.  5.  The  labors  of  the  student  are 
sweeter,  the  farther  he  proceeds  ;  because  his  heart 
is  in  them.  6.  Always  yield  to  the  truth.  7.  The 
improvement  of  the  mind  is  of  the  first  importance. 
8.  Beware  of  going  into  the  way  of  temptations  : 
many  have  been  ruined,  merely  by  looking  on.  to 
see  how  others  do.  9.  Tricks  and  treachery  are 
the  practice  of  fools.  10.  The  proper  study  of 
mankind — isman.  11.  Promote  virtuous  commu- 
nication. 12.  An  ape — is  ridiculous  by  nature; 
men— by  art  and  study.  13.  Flattery — is  a  very 
fashionable  art. 

Anecdote.  Old  Habits.  The  duke  de 
Nivernois  was  acquainted  with  the  countess 
de  Eochefort,  and  never  omitted  going  to 
see  her  a  single  evening.  As  she  was  a 
widoto  and  he  a  widower,  one  of  his  friends 
observed  to  him,  it  would  be  more  conven- 
ient for  him  to  marry  that  lady.  "  I  have 
often  thought  so,"  said  he,  "  but  one  thing 
prevents  me ;  in  that  case,  where  should  1 
spend  my  eveningsV 

Promises.  If  promises  —  from  man  to 
man  have  force,  why  not  from  man  to  tvo- 
man  ?  Their  very  weakness  is  the  charter 
of  their  power,  and  they  should  not  be  in- 
jured because  they  can't  return  it. 

Varieties.  Educational  Questions.  1. 
What  are  the  rights  and  duties  of  the  fami- 
ly, and  of  society  at  large,  respecting  the 
education  of  children  ?  2.  To  what  sort  and 
degree  of  education  can  any  human  individ- 
ual, as  such,  lay  claim,  independently  of 
fortune,  or  any  other  distinction  ?  3.  How 
far  should  the  education  of  a  child  be  regu- 
lated, according  to  his  natural  capacities. 
and  how  far  should  external  circumstance? 
be  permitted  to  affect  it  ?  4.  What  are  the 
chief  obstacles  to  a  more  general  education 
of  the  poor;  and  what  are  the  leading  errors 
committed  in  this  greatest  of  all  charities, 
so  far  as  it  extends  at  present  ?  5.  What 
are  the  chief  errors  committed  in  the  educa- 
tion of  the  wealthier  classes,  and  by  what 
means  can  the  education  of  both  voor  and 
rich  be  made  to  produce,  in  the  course  of 
time,  a  more  harmonious  state  of  society  ? 

6.  How  far,  hitherto,  Las  Christianity  been 
allowed  to  ;rifiuence  education,  and  by  what 
means  can  the  difficulties,  arising  from  dis- 
tinctions among  christians,  be  obviated  in  it '. 

7.  Who  will  satisfactorily  a?iswer  these  im- 
portant questions  ? 
"From  the  bir/lj 


Of  mortal  man.  the  sov'rei°r  yiaker  said, 

Tlia*  -.0'.  -it  numble,  nor  in  brief  del:ght, 

Not  in  the  fading  echoes  of  renown, 

Power^s  purple  robes,  nor  pleasured  flowery  lap, 

The  sotd — can  find  enjoyment;  but  from  these 

lurnmg,  disdainful,  to  ar  tqua.  good. 

Thro'  all  th'  ascent  ortl^r.gs — enlarge  her  view, 

Till  every  bound — at  length — shall  disappear, 

And  infinite  perfection — close  the  scene.n 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


12J 


352.  Preceding  Principles.  The  sooner 
the  pupil  begins  to  rely  upon  his  own  re- 
sources and  experience,  the  better;  and  he 
should  not  forget,  that  he  must  make  himself 
an  elocutionist.  Hence,  the  importance  of 
his  seeing,  rationally,  and  feeling,  in  his  in- 
most soul,  the  truth,  or  falsehood,  of  the 
principles  here  unfolding.  Let  every  exam- 
ple be  thoroughly  mastered;  and,  to  prevent 
the  growth  of  bad  habits,  in  reading,  speak- 
ing and  singing,  let  him  often  review;  as 
well  as  pay  special  attention  to  the  varieties 
of  illustration,  that  are  to  be  found  on  every 
page. 

353.  1.  It  is  toolate — to  urge  objections — 
against  universal  education;  for  the  fountains 
— of  the  great  deep — are  broken  up,  and  a 
llood  of  information,  (4)  theological,  (5)  scien- 
tific, (4)  civil,  and  (6)  literanj,  is  carrying  all 
before  it;  filling  up  the  valleys,  and  scaling 
the  (6)  MOUNTAix-tops:  a  spirit  of  inquiry 
has  gone  forth,  and  sits  brooding — on  the 
mind  of  man.  2.  Music — should  be  cultivat- 
ed, not  as  a  mere  sensual  gratification ;  but, 
as  a  means  of  elevating,  and  improving  the 
affections;  ennobling,  purifying,  and  exalt- 
ing, the  whole  man.  3.  Beware — of  a  re- 
morseless thirst  for  the  acquisition  of  riches  ; 
rather — than  deliver  up  yourself  in  execrable 

ievotion  to  Mammon,  mount  the  ladder  of 
the  most  dangerous  ambition, — even  tho'  it 
'*rere  planted  on  the  precipice,  and  leaned 

isainst  a  cloud. 

354:.  Political  Philosophy  —  includes 
jll  theories  and  general  views  of  government, 
with  a  description  of  the  forms,  and  the  prin- 
ciples on  which  they  are  founded,  and  the 
modes  in  which  they  are  administered.  TM& 
study  rests-  on  the  basis  of  natural  law,  or 
justice ;  and  therefore,  presupposes  a  know- 
ledge of  ethics  ;  it  requires  enlarged  and  ele- 
vated views  of  human  nature,  and  the 
constitution  of  society ;  with  the  means  by 
which  virtue  may  be  diffused,  justice  en- 
forced, and  order  preserved  throughout  the 
community :  it  is  alike  important  to  the 
statesman,  the  legislator,  and  the  private 
citizen. 

Anecdote.    Howard's  Opinion  of  Sicear- 
ers.    As  he  was  standing,  one  day,  near  the 
door  of   a  printing-office,  he  heard    some 
dreadful  volleys  of  oaths  and  curses  from  a 
public  house  opposite,  and,  buttoning    his 
pocket  up  before  he  went  in  the  street,  he  said 
to  the  workmen  near  him, "I  always  do  this 
whenever  I  hear  men  swear,  as  I  think  that 
any  one,  who  can  take  God's  name  in  vain, 
can  also  steal,  or  do  anything  else  that  is  bad." 
Hope,  of  all  passions,  most  befriends  us  here : 
Passions  of  prouder  name — befriend  us  less. 
Joy — has  her  fears,  and  transport — has  her  death: 
Hope,  like  a  cordial,  innocent,  though  strong, 
Man's  heart,  at  once,  inspirits — and  serenes. 


Proverbs.    1.  Perseverance  —  overcomes    all 

difficulties.  2.  Instruction,  by  example,  is  quick 
and  effectual.  3.  We  are  only  in  the  morning 
starlight  of  the  arts  and  sciences.  4.  Knowledge  is 
not  obtained  in  a  moment.  5.  Apollo's  bow — was 
not  always  bent.  6.  Reason — is  not  the  test  of 
truth:  it  is  only  the  organ,  through  which  we  set 
truth.  7.  No  one  is  so  well  qualified  to  rule,  as 
he,  who  knows  how  to  obey.  8.  Beauty — is  like 
the  flower  of  spring:  but  virtue — is  like  the  stars 
of  heaven.  9.  Vain  persons  are  fond  of  jine  things 
10.  Respect,  and  contempt,  spoil  many  a  one.  11. 
Some — outlive  their  reputation.  12.  When  sorrow 
is  asleep,  wake  it  not. 

Laconics.  And  what  was  it,  fellow-citi- 
zens, which  gave  to  our  La  Fayette  his  spot- 
less/awe? The  love  of  liberty.  What — has 
consecrated  his  memory — in  the  hearts  of 
good  men?  The  love  of  liberty.  What  — 
nerved  his  youthful  arm  with  strength,  and 
inspired  him  in  the  morning  of  his  days,  with 
sagacity  and  counsel?  The  living  love  of 
liberty.  To  what — did  he  sacrifice  power, 
and  country,  and  freedom  itself?  To  the 
horror  of  licentiousness ,•  to  the  sanctity  of 
phghted/«i/A ;  to  the  love  of  liberty  protected 
by  laic.  Thus,  the  great  principle  of  your 
revolutionary  fathers,  of  your  pilgrim  sires, 
the  great  principle  of  the  age,  was  the  rule  of 
his  life:  The  love  of  liberty — protected  by 
law. 

Varieties.  1 .  When  a  lady  receives  the 
addresses  of  a  gentleman,  who  is  in  the  ha- 
bit of  tippling,  how  is  she  to  determine,  to 
what  extent  his  protestations  should  be  set 
down  to  himself,  and  how  much  passed  to  the 
credit  of  ardent  spirits  ?  In  other  words,  how- 
much  is  of  love,  and  how  much  of  alcohol  ? 
Suppose  she  test  it,  by  the  pledge  of  total  ab- 
stinence ? 

'Tis  not  the  face, — 'tis  not  the  form, — 
Tis  not  the  heart — however  warm/ 
It  is  not  these,  tho1  all  combined, 
That  wins  true  love  : — it  is  the  mind 
Canst  thou  believe  thy  prophet, — (or,  what  is  more.) 
That  Power,  which  made  thee.  (8)  and  thy  prophet, 
Will  (with  impunity,)  let  pass  that  breach 
Of  sacred  faith,  given  to  the  royal  Greek? 
How  (3)  poor !  how  (6)  rich  '.  how  (4)  abject '. 
How  (9)  august !  how  (4)  complicate  I  how  (2)  wonderful  is  man 
How  (6)  passing,  He,  who  made  him  such !  and 
Centered  in  his  make — such  strange  extremes  ! 
What  can  preserve  my  life  ?  or  what  destroy  ? 
An  (6)  angtVs  arm — can't  snatch  me  from  my  grave  : 
Legions  of  angels — can't  confine  me  there. 

I\Iy  mother's  voice  !  how  often — creeps 
Its  cadence — o'er  my  lonely  hours, 

Like  healing — sent  ou  wings  of  sleep, 
Or  dew — to  the  unconscious  flowers. 

I  canH  forget  her  melting  prayer, 
Even  while  my  pulses — madly  fly; 

And  in  the  still,  unbroken  air, 

Her  gentle  tones  come — stealing  by; 

And  years,  and  sin,  and  manhood  flee, 

And  leave  me — at  my  mother's  knee ! 
L2 


126 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


355.  These  Inflections  may  pass  through 
2,  3,  5,  or  8  notes,  according  to  the  intensity 
of  the  feeling.  Ex.  1 ."  Do  you  say,  that  [  1 1'  3] 
can  learn  to  sing  !  2.  Do  you  say  that  [1 1' 5] 
can  learn  to  sing]  3.  What.'  do  you  say 
that  [1 1'  SI  can  learn  to  sing  '!"  Reverse  the 
inflection;  begin  at  the  top,  and  go  down. 
4.  He  said  [8"IV1]  can  learn  to  sing,  not 
you' '."  Thus,  you  see  that  the  voice  may 
step  up  or  down,  by  discrete  degrees,  or  glide 
up  and  down,  by  continuous  degrees.  5. 
"  To  whom  the  goblin,  full  of  wrath,  replied : 
(1)  Art  thou  that  (3)  traitor  (4)  angel  ?  (8)  art 
th  )u  lie  who  first  broke  peace  in  heaven,  and 
(6)  faith,  till  then  (8)  unbroken  '!  (9)  Back 
to  thy  punishment — -false  fugitive,  and  to 
thy  speed  add  ivings ;  lest  with  a  whip  of 
scorpions,  I  pursue  thy  ling 'ring ;  or  with 
one  stroke  of  this  dart,  strange  horror  seize 
thee,  and  pangs  unfelt  before."  In  speaking 
this  sentence,  use  all  the  eight  notes. 

35fi.  In  reading  the  first  example,  the 
voice  glides  from  the  first  to  the  third  note ; 
because  there  is  no  feeling  :  in  reading  the 
second,  the  voice  glides  from  the  first  to  the 
fifth  note ;  because  there  is  some  feeling,  and 
consequent  earnestness;  and  in  the  third 
example,  the  voice  glides  from  the  tonic,  to 
the  octave ;  because  there  is  a  great  deal  of 
feeling  :  in  the  fourth  example,  the  voice  be- 
gins at  the  top,  or  eighth  note,  and  glides 
down  to  the  first ;  because  there  is  a  conse- 
quent change  of  thought  and  action.  In  the 
fifth  example,  the  voice  commences  at  1,  in 
a  harsh  tone,  and  goes  on  gradually  ascend- 
ing to  angel;  then  it  recedes,  and  then  goes 
on  rising  still  higher  on  faith,  and  highest  on 
unbroken ;  when  it  begins  to  descend,  in  an 
unyielding  and  gradual  way,  to  the  close,  in 
a  manner  that  no  words  can  describe. 

357.  Do  not  the  bees,  (says  Quintillian) 
extract  honey  from  very  different  flowers  and 
juices'!  Is  it  any  wonder  that  Eloquence, 
(which  is  one  of  the  greatest  gifts  heaven  has 
given  to  man,)  requires  many  arts  to  perfect 
it  !  and  tho'  they  do  not  appear  in  an  ora- 
tion, nor  seem  to  be  of  any  use,  they  never- 
theless afford  an  inward  supply  of  strength, 
?jid  are  silently  felt  in  the  mind:  without 
all  these  a  man  may  be  eloquent,  but  I  wish 
to  form  a7i  orator ;  and  none  can  be  said  to 
have  all  the  requisites,  while  the  smallest 
thing  is  wanting. 

Anecdote.  Good  Works.  The  Russian 
embassador  at  Paris,  made  the  Abbe  L'Epee 
a  visit,  and  offered  him  a  large  sum  of  mo- 
ney through  the  munificence  of  the  empress. 
The  Abbe  declined,  saying,  "  I  receive  gold 
of  no  one;  but  if  the  empress  will  send  me 
a  deaf  and  dumb  person  to  educate,!  shall 
consider  it  a  more  fluttering  mark  of  dis- 
tinction." 


Proverbs.  1.  An  evil  heart — can  make  any 
doctrine  false,  in  its  own  view.  2.  Bad  books 
are  fountains  of  vice.  3.  Comply  cheerfully,  when 
necessity  enjoins  it.  4.  Despair — blunts  the  edge 
of  industry.  5.  2)oi«6fe-dealing — is  the  index  of  a 
base  spirit,  6.  Every  vice  wars  against  nature.  7. 
Friendship — is  often  stronger  than  kindred  8. 
Good  intentions — will  not  justify  evil  actions.  9. 
In  order  to  learn,  we  must  pay  undivided  atten- 
tion. 10.  Mental  gifts — often  bide  bodily  infirmi- 
ties. 11.  Lawing — is  very  costly.  12.  The  world 
is  his,  who  enjoys  it.  13.  Poverty — is  often  an 
evil  counsellor. 

Despotism.  All  despotism,  whether 
usurped  or  hereditary,  is  our  abhorrence. 
We  regard  it  as  the  most  grievous  wrong 
and  insult  to  the  human  race.  But,  towards 
the  hereditary  despot — we  have  more  of  com- 
passum  than  indignation.  Nursed  and  bro't 
up  in  delusion,  worshiped  from  his  cradle. 
never  spoken  to  in  the  tone  of  fearless  truth, 
taught  to  look  on  the  great  mass  of  his  fellow- 
beings  as  an  inferior  race,  and  to  regard  des- 
potism as  a  law  of  nature,  and  a  necessary 
element  of  social  life ;  such  a  prince,  whose 
education  and  condition  almost  deny  him  the 
possibility  of  acquiring  healthy  moral  feeling 
and  manly  virtue,  must  not  be  judged  severe- 
ly. Still,  in  absolving  the  despot — from  much 
of  the  guilt,  which  seems  at  first,  to  attach  to 
his  unlawful  and  abused  power,  we  do  not 
the  less  account  despotism  a  torong  and  a 
curse.  The  time  for  its  fall,  we  trust,  is  com- 
ing. It  cannot  fall  too  soon.  It  has  long 
enough  wrung  from  the  laborer  his  hard 
earnings;  long  enough  squandered  a  na- 
tion's wealt h  on  its  parasites  and  minions; 
long  enough  warred  against  the  freedom  of 
the  mind,  and  arrested  the  progress  of  truth. 
It  has  filled  dungeons  enough — with  the  brave 
and  good,  and  shed  enough  of  the  blood  of  pa- 
triots. Let  its  end  come.  It  cannot  come  too 
soon. 

Varieties.  1 .  What  is  education,  and  what 
are  the  best  means  for  obtaining  it  ]  2.  Why 
are  diamonds  valuable'!  because  of  their 
scarcity?  3.  Why  are  professional  men  in- 
different poets  ?  is  it  because,  as  the  bounda- 
ries of  science  enlarge,  the  empire  of  ima- 
gination is  diminished  ?  4.  In  what  does 
true  honor  consist]  5.  Tamerlane  boasted, 
that  lie  governed  men  by  four  great  arts  ; 
viz:  bribery,  amusement,  diversion,  and  sus- 
pense: are  there  no  Tamalancs  now,  think 
you]  6.  Is  there  any  alliance  between  ge- 
nius and  poverty  ?  7.  If  we  leave  the  path 
of  duty,  shall  we  not  be  liable  to  run  into  the 
path  of  danger?  8.  Arc  there  not  some, 
who  would  make  void  the  ivord  of  God,  by 
their  own  i  radii  ions?  9.  Is  it  not  a  most 
important  part  of  a  teacher's  duty,  to  imbue 
the  minds  of  his  pupils,  with  the  love  of  all 
goodness  and  truth  ? 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


127 


358.  The  Inflections  have  great  influence 
in  expressing,  or  perverting  the  sense,  ac- 
cording as  they  are  con-edly  or  incorrectly 
made.  I.  In  the  retirement  of  a  college 
— I  am  unable  to  suppress  evil  thoughts  ;  how 
difficult  then,  to  do  it,  amidst  the  world's 
temptations!  2.  The  man  who  is  in  the 
daily  use  of  ardent  (6)  spirits,  (4)  if  he 
should  not  become  a  (3)  drunkard,  (6)  is 
in  danger:  of  losing  his  (5)  health,  and  (6) 
character.  The  rising  inflection  on  drunkard, 
would  imply  that  he  must  become  one,  to 
preserve  his  health  and  character. 

359.  Apply  the  principles  to  the  follow- 
ing, according  to  the  feelings  and  thoughts, 
and  their  objects.  1.  But  (5)  mercy  — is  (6) 
above — this  sceptred  sway ;  (4)  it  is  enthron- 
ed— in  the  (5)  hearts  of  kings;  it  is  an  (6) 
attribute — (1)  of  God  himself. 

Love,  hope, — and  joy,  fair  Pleasure's  smiling  train; 
Hate,  fear,  and  grief,  the  family  of  Pain  ; 
These,  mixed  with  art,  and  to  due  bounds  confined. 
Make  — and  maintain  — the  balance  of  the  mind. 

He  knew — 
How  to  make  madness — beautiful,  and  cast, 
(O'er  erring  deeds,  and  thoughts,)  a  heavenly  hue 
Of  words,  like  sunbeams,  dazzling  (as  they  passed,) 
The  eyes,  which  o'er  them  shed  tears,  feelingly,  and  fast. 

Thy  words — had  such  a  me\t\ngfiow, 
And  spoke  of  truth — so  sweetly  well, 

They  dropped — (like  heaven's  serenest  snow,) 
And  all  was  (6)  brightness, — where  they  fell. 

360.  Inducing  Disease.  There  is  no 
doubt,  that  the  seed  of  a  large  number  of  dis- 
eases are  sown  in  childhood  and  youth;  and 
especially  in  our  progress  in  obtaining  what 
is  called,  an  education.  The  bad  habits  of 
position  in  and  out  of  school,  and  our  un- 
healthy mode  of  living,  contribute  very  es- 
sentially to  the  promotion  of  various  diseases; 
particularly,  dyspepsia,  liver  and  lung  com- 
plaints, and  headaches.  Hence,  we  cannot 
be  too  watchful  against  sitting  in  a  crooked 
position,  nor  too  prudent  in  eating,  drink- 
ing, and  sleeping,  as  well  as  in  our  clothing, 
and  our  lodging  apartments.  Let  us  put 
forth  every  effort  in  the  performance  of  our 
duties,  be  they  physical,  intellectual,  or  moral. 

Anecdote.  A  Siviss  Retort.  A  French 
officer,  quarrelling  with  a  Swiss,  reproached 
him  with  his  country's  vice  of  fighting  on 
either  side  for  money ;  "  while  we  French- 
men,''' said  he,  "  fight  for  honor.'"  "  Yes,  sir," 
replied  the  Swiss,  "  every  one  fights  for  that 
he  most  wants.'" 

Called  a  blessing  to  inherit, 
Bless,  and  richer  blessings  merit: 
Give,  and  more  shall  yet  be  given  : 
Love,  and  serve,  and  look  for  Heaven. 
Would  being  end— with  our  expiring  breath, 
How  soon  misfortune  would  be  puffed  away  ! 
A  trifling  shock — shrives  us  to  the  dust ; 
But  the  existence — of  the  immortal  soul, 
Futurity's  dark  road — perplexes  still. 


Pro-verbs.  1.  The  best  way  to  see  Divine 
light— is  to  put  out  our  own.  2.  The  proud— 
shall  be  abased;  but  the  humble — shall  be  exalted. 
3.  As  long  as  you  and  truth  agree,  you  will  do 
well.  4.  No  one  is  born  for  himself  alone,  but 
for  the  world.  5.  Rely  not  too  much  on  the 
torches  of  others ;  light  one  of  your  own.  6. 
Divest  yourself  of  envy,  and  lay  aside  all  unkind 
feelings.  7.  If  youth  knew  what  age  would 
crave,  it  would  both  crave  and  save.  8.  A 
speaker,  without  energy,  is  like  a  lifeless  statue. 
9.  Deep — and  intense  feeling — lie  at  the  root  of 
eloquence.  10.  Condemn  no  one,  without  a  can- 
did hearing.  11.  Think  more,  and  speak  less. 
12.  Follow  the  dictates  of  reason. 

Half-Miircler.  That  father,  says  the 
learned  Baudier,  who  takes  care  to  feed  and 
clothe  his  son,  but  neglects  to  give  him  such 
accomplishments  as  befit  his  capacity  and 
rank  in  life,  is  more  than  half  his  murderer; 
since  he  destroys  the  better  part,  and  but  con- 
tinues the  other  to  endure  a  life  of  shame. 
Of all  the  men  we  meet  with,  nine  out  often 
are  what  they  are,  good  or  evil,  useful  or  not, 
by  their  education ;  it  is  that,  which  makes 
the  great  difference  in  mankind :  the  little,  or 
almost  insensible,  impressions  on  our  tender 
infancy,  have  very  important  and  lasting 
consequences. 

Varieties.  1.  Send  your  son  into  the 
world  with  good  'principles,  good  habits,  and 
a  good  education,  and  he  will  work  his  way. 
2.  How  absurd  to  be  passionate  yourself,  and 
expect  others  to  be  placid.  3.  Why  is  swear- 
ing— like  a  ragged  coat  ?  because  it  is  a 
very  bad  habit.  4.  Can  there  be  any  virtue, 
without  true  piety  ?  5.  Why  is  rebellion — 
like  dra?n-drinking !  because  it  is  inimical 
to  the  constitution.  6.  Why  do  ivhite  sheep 
— furnish  more  wool  than  black  ones  7  be- 
cause there  are  more  of  them.  7.  WThy  is  one 
who  is  led  astray,  like  one  who  is  governed 
by  a  girl  ?  Do  you  give  it  up  t  because  he 
is  misled,  (Miss-led.)  8.  Ought  there  not  to 
be  duties  on  imported  goods,  to  encourage 
domestic  manufactures?  9.  Are  not  physics 
and  metaphysics  inseparably  joined  1  if  so, 
what  is  the  connecting  link  ?  10.  Is  it  right, 
under  any  circumstance,  to  marry  for  money? 
11.  Is  it  right  to  imprison  for  debt? 
I  can  find  comfort — in  the  words  and  looks 

Of  simple  hearts  and  gentle  souls ;  and  I 
Can  find  companionship — in  ancient  books, 

When,  lonely,  on  the  grassy  hills  I  lie, 

Under  the  shadow.— of  the  tranquil  sky  ; 
I  can  find  music — in  the  rushing  brooks. 

Or  in  the  songs,  which  dwell  among  the  trees. 

And  come  in  snateltes — on  the  summer  breeze. 
I  can  find  treasure — in  the  leafy  showers, 

Which,  in  the  merry  autumn-time,  will  fall ; 
And  I  can  find  strong  lore — in  buds  a.\v\Jlowers, 
And  beauty — in  the  moonlight's  silent  hours. 

There's  nothing,  nature  gives,  can  fail  to  please.. 
For  there's  a  common  joy-  pervading  all. 


128 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


.101.  A  speaker — may  calculate,  before- 
hand, (so  far  as  human  agency  is  concerned, 
and  other  things  being  equal)  the  effect  of  a 
certain  effort,  by  adapting  the  manner  to  the 
matter,  as  well  as  a  farmer  can  in  raising  a 
crop,  by  using  the  proper  means.  As  a 
stringed  instrument,  when  touched  at  given 
points,  infallibly  produces  certain  tunes;  so, 
the  human  mind,  when  touched  by  certain 
modulations,  and  corresponding  sentiments, 
as  infallibly  receives  certain  impressions. 
But  a  speaker,  singer,  or  writer,  who  thinks 
much  of  himself,  is  in  danger  of  being  for- 
gotten by  others.  If  he  takes  no  sincere  and 
hearfell  delight  in  what  he  is  doing,  but  as  it 
is  admired  and  applauded  by  his  audience, 
disappointment  will  be  his  portion;  for  he 
cannot  long  succeed.  He  who  would  be 
great  in  the  eyes  of  others,  must  first  learn  to 
be  made  nothing  in  his  own. 

363.  Exs.  of  the  '  and  \  1.  Did  you  say 
yes,  or  no  ?  Shall  we  crown  the  author  of 
the  public  calamities  ?  or  shall  we  destroy 
him]  2.  Beware  of  igivrrance  and  sloth, 
and  be  guided  by  wisdom.  3.  (2)  Are  they 
Hebrews?  Are  they  all  Hebrews?  (4) 
Are  they  Hebrews  from  Palestine  ?  4. 
What  does  the  word  person  mean?  That 
which  consists  in  one's  own  self,  and  not 
any  part  or  quality  in  another.  5.  Is  not 
water  the  best  and  safest  of  all  kinds  of 
drink?  6.  Nature — and  (4)  Reasox — 
answer  —  yes.  7.  The  mind — is  its  own 
place ;  and,  in  itself,  can  make  a  heaven — 
of  hell;  or  hell  of  heaven. 

Good  name — in  roan,  or  woman, 
Is  the  immediate  jewel  of  their  souls : 
Who  steals  my  purse,  steals  /rasA,  'tis  something,  nothing: 
'  Twas  mi'jtc,  'tis  At*,  and  has  been  slave  to  thousands ; 
But  he,  who  filches  from  me  my  good  name, 
Robs  me  of  that  which  not  enriches  him, 
And  makes  me— poor  indeed. 
Where  is  the  true  man's  father-tend  1 
Is  it — where  he,  by  chance,  is  born  ? 
Doth  not  the  yearning  spirit — scorn — 
In  such  scant  borders  to  be  spann'd  1 
O,  yes  !  his  father-land  must  be — 
As  the  blue  heaven — wide— and  free. 
Anecdote.    A  Quaker,  who  had  a  great 
horror  of  soldiers,  on  seeing  one  jump  into 
the  Thames,  and  save  a  person  who  was 
drowning,  said  on  the  occasion,  "  I  shall  al- 
ways be  a  Quaker;  but  soldiers  are  good 
creatures.'" 

What  is  it,  Man,  prevents  thy  God, 
From  making  thee  his  blest  abode? 
He  says — he  loves  thee,  wills  thee  heaven, 
And  for  thy  good — has  blessings  given. 
I'll  tell  thee— 'Tis  thy  love  of  self, 
Thy  love  of  rule — thy  love  of  pelf, 
Bind  thee  to  earth — and  all  her  toys, 
And  robs  thee — of  substantial  joys. 
Heaven's  gates — are  not  so  highly  arched — 
As  prince's  palaces  ;  they  who  enter  there, 
Must  go— upon  their  knees. 


Proverbs.  1.  New  times,  demand  new  meas- 
ures, and  new  men.  2.  Pride — either  finds  a  de- 
sert, or  makes  one.  3.  Want  of  feeling,  is  one  of 
the  worst  faults  of  elocution.  4.  He,  that  catches  at 
more  than  belongs  to  him,  deserves  to  lose  what 
he  has.  5.  Books — associate  us  with  the  think- 
ing, and  give  us  the  material  of  thought.  6. 
Either  be  silent,  or  speak  what  is  better  than  si- 
lence. 7.  He,  who  resolves  to  amend,  has  God, 
and  all  good  beings,  on  his  side.  8.  If  you  would 
have  a  thing  kept  secret,  never  tellh;  and  if  you 
would  not  have  any  thing  told  of  you,  never  do 
it.  9.  The  shortest  answer — is  doing  a  thing. 
10.  Friends— got  without  desert,  will  be  lost  with- 
out a  cause.  11.  Never  speak  what  is  not  true. 
12.  If  it  is  not  decent,  never  do  it. 

Selfishness.  The  selfish — look  upon 
themselves,  as  if  they  were  all  the  world, 
and  no  man  beside  concerned  therein;  that 
the  good  state  of  things  is  to  be  measured  by 
their  condition ;  that  all  is  well,  if  they  do 
prosper  and  thrive  ;  all  is  ill,  if  I  he y  be  disap- 
pointed in  their  desires  and  projects.  The 
good  of  7io  man,  not  of  their  brethren,  not  of 
their  friends,  not  of  their  country,  doth  come 
under  their  consideration. 

Varieties.  1.  If  we  feel  well,  shall  we  not 
try  to  make  others  feel  so?  2.  May  not  the 
constitution  be  injured  by  over-nursing,  and 
the  mind  unnerved,  by  being  prevented  from 
relying  upon  its  own  resources?  3.  Is  it 
expedient  to  wear  mourning  apparel?  4. 
Does  curiosity,  or  love  of  truth  and  goodness, 
induce  you  to  study  history?  5.  Has  the 
study  of  the  classics,  an  immoral  tendency  ? 
6.  Who  would  be  an  old  maid,  or  an  old 
bachelor?  7.  What  is  Botany  ?  The  science 
of  Plants.  8.  Can  friendship — exist  with- 
out sympathy?  9.  Is  a  free  or  despotic 
government,  more  conducive  to  human  hap- 
piness? 10.  Ought  not  human  nature — to 
be  a  chief  study  of  mankind  ?  11.  Are  gold 
and  silver  mines,  on  the  whole,  beneficial  to 
a  nation?  12.  Is  it  right,  to  oblige  a.  jury  to 
give  a  unanimous  verdict? 

THE    BIBLE — WORTHY   OF    ALL   ACCEPTATION. 

This  little  book — I'd  rather  own, 

Than  all  the  gold  and  gems, 
That  e'er  in  monarch's  coffers  shone, 

Than  all  their  diadems. 
Nay,  were  the  seas — one  chrysolite, 

The  earth — a  golden  ball, 
And  diamonds  all  the  stars  of  night. 

This  book — were  worth  them  all. 
Here,  He  who  died  on  Calvary's  tree, 

Hath  made  that  promise — blest ; 
"Ye  heavy-Men,  come  to  me, 

And  I  will  give  you  rest. 
A  bruised  reed — I  will  not  break, 

A  contrite  heart — despise  ; 
My  burden's  light,  and  all,  who  take 

J\Ty  yoke,  shall  win  the  skies  !" 
The  humble  man,  when  ho  receives  a  wrong, 
Refers  revenge — to  whom  it  doth  belong. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


129 


363.  Inflections.  Although  there  are 
given  rules,  for  making  these  inflections,  or 
slides  of  the  voice,  either  up  or  down,  yet 
it  should  be  borne  in  mind,  that  every  sen- 
tence, which  has  been  read  with  the  upward 
slide,  can,  under  other  circumstances,  be  read 
correctly  with  the  downward  slide :  the  sere.se 
governs  everything  here,  as  in  emphasis. 
Ex.  1.  Arc  you  going  to  tow'n?  2.  Are  you 
going  to  tow^n  ?  3.  Why1  did  you  speak  to 
her  T  4.  Whyx  did  you  speak  to  her  1  5.  Do 
.on  hear  me!  6.  Do  you  hear  mel  In  the 
first  example,  we  have  a  simple,  direct  ques- 
tion ;  in  the  second,  the  same  form  of  words, 
but  so  spoken,  as  if  one  said,  I  wish  to  know, 
positively,  whether  you  go  to  town.;  so  of  the 
rest.  Thus  you  see,  the  sense,  the  object,  the 
intention  determines  the  manner. 

364.  1.  Some  poets  may  be  compared  to 
others;  but  Milton  and  Shakspeare  are  in- 

:omparable.    2.  He,  who  considers  himself 
wise,  while  his  wisdom  does  not  teach  him  to 
icknowledge  the  Lord,  is  in  the  profoundest 
ignorance.    3.  We  see  the  effects  of  many 
things,  the  causes  of  but  few ;  experience, 
'.here fore,  is  a  surer  guide  than  imagination, 
and  inquiry  than  conjecture.    4.  It  is  the  in- 
liapensable  duty,  and  the  inalienable  right, 
if  every  rational  being,  to  prove  all  things, 
ind  holdfast  that  which  is  good. 
Get  but  the  truth— once  uttered,  and  'tis  like 
\  star,  new-born,  that  drops  into  its  place, 
And  which,  once  circling  its  placid  round, 
Not  all  the  tumult  of  the  earth — can  shake. 

365.  The  nearer  your  delivery  agrees  with 
the  freedom  and  ease  of  common  discourse, 

if  you  keep  up  the  dignity  and  life  of  your 
subject,  and  preserve  propriety  of  expression,) 
the  more  just,  natural  and  agreeable  it  will 
be.  Study  nature;  avoid  affectation,  and 
never  use  art,  if  you  have  not  the  art  to  con- 
real  it :  for,  whatever  does  not  appear  natural, 
is  neither  agreeable  nor  persuasive. 

Anecdote.  A  brutal  teacher,  whipped  a 
a  little  boy,  for  pressing  the  hand  of  a  little 
girl,  who  sat  next  to  him  at  school.  A  fter 
which,  he  asked  the  child,  "  Why  he  squeezed 
the  girl's  hand!"  "Because,"  said  the  little 
fellow,  "  it  looked  so  pretty,  I  could  not  help 
it."  What  punishment  did  the  teacher  de- 
serve 1 

THE   EPITAPH. 

Here  rests  his  head — upon  the  lap  of  earth, 

A  youth — to  fortune,  and  Xofame — unknown  : 
Fair  Science — t'rown'd  not  on  his  humble  birth, 

And  Melancholy — mark'd  him  for  her  own. 
Large  was  his  bounty,  and  his  soul  sincere; 

Heaven — did  a  recompense — as  largely  send. 
He  gave  to  misery  all  he  had — a  tear ;         [friend. 

He  gain'd  from  heav'n  ('twas  all  he  wish'd) — a 
No  farther  seek  his  merits  to  disclose, 

Or  draw  his  frailties  from  their  dread  abode, 
'There,  they,  alike,  in  trembling  hope  repose) 

The  bosom  of  his  Father,  and  his  God. 
17 


Proverbs.  1.  It  is  much  easier  to  defend  the 
innocent,  than  the  guilty.  2.  Let  the  press  and 
speech,  be  free;  no  good  government  has  anything 
to  fear  from  paper  shot,  or  airy  words.  3.  Three 
tilings  are  necessary  to  make  an  able  man, — na- 
ture, study,  and  practice.  4.  Cultivate  a  spirit  of 
love  toward  all.  5.  Always  distinguish  between 
apparent  truths,  and  real  truths ;  between  effects 
and  causes.  6.  God— is  best  known  and  honored, 
when  his  word  and  works  are  best  understood  and 
appreciated.  1.  Industry— is  essential  to  useful- 
ness, and  happiness.  8.  Every  one  ought  to  do 
something.  9.  Nothing  is  stationary  ;  and  the  hu- 
man family— the  least  of  all.  10.  Mankind  are 
tending  to  a  better  condition,  or  to  actual  extinction. 

11.  Trade— knows  neither  friends  nor  kindred. 

12.  Physicians— rarely  take  medicine. 
Wisdom    of  our    Ancestors.      If  the 

"wisdom  of  our  ancestors"' — had  not  taught 
them  to  recognize  newly  discovered  truths, 
and  to  discard  those  errors,  to  which  ignor- 
ance had  given  birth,  we  should  not  have 
been  indebted  to  them  for  the  improvements, 
which,  however  well  they  may  have  served 
their  purpose  for  a  time,  are  destined  to  be 
superseded  by  still  more  important  discover- 
ies. In  the  year  1615,  a  Florentine  had  the 
presumption  and  audacity  to  assert,  contrary 
to  the  prevailing  opinions  of  the  learned, 
"the  great,  the  good,  and  the  wise  among 
men,"  and  contrary  to  the  conclusions  of  all 
preceding  ages, "  that  the  earth  revolved  round 
the  sun  „•"  and,  although  he  was  threatened 
with  death  for  his  heresy,  Galileo  was  right. 
Varieties.  1.  What  is  the  image  of  God, 
and  what  the  likeness  of  God,  into  which  man 
was  created]  2.  What  grace  is  more  valu- 
able, than  humility?  3.  Is  hereditary  de- 
pravity an  actual  sin,  or  a  calamity?  4.  Was 
not  the  genius  of  Ar-chim-i-des  the  parent  of 
the  mechanical  arts?  5.  Did  not  the  first 
single  pair  of  mankind — possess  the  type  of 
all  the  distinct  races  of  men, — their  innate 
tendency  and  genius,  which  has,  or  ivill,  re- 
appear in  their  offspring  ?  6.  What  is  the 
meaning  of  the  command  to  Moses, "  See  that 
thou  make  all  things  after  the  pattern,  which 
J  have  shown  thee  in  the  Mount  ?"  7.  If  we 
are  hardened  under  affliction,  does  it  not  in- 
dicate a  very  bad  state  of  mind!  8.  Are 
miracles — violations  of  the  laws  of  Nature} 
9.  Does  not  the  state  and  character  of  parents 
— affect  their  offspring?  10.  What  is  the 
conclusion  of  the  whole  matter  1  Fear  God, 
and  keep  his  commandments. 

When  Summer's  heats — the  verdure  sear, 
Through  yonder  shady  grove  I  tread, 

Or  throw  me  listless — down  to  hear 
The  winds — make  music  over  head  ; 

A  thousand  flowers — are  blooming  round, 
The  "  wilding  bee"  goes  droning  by, 

And  springs  gash  out — with  lulling  sound. 
And  painted  ivarblers — linger  nigh  ; 

Yet  one  thing — wants  the  dreamer  there— 

A  kindred  soul — the  scene  to  share. 


130 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


365.  Waves,  or  Circumtlexes  of  the 
Voice:  of  these,  there  are  two;  which  are 
called  the  rising  circumflex  [v]  and  the  fall- 
ing circumflex  [*] :  they  are  formed  by  the  v 
and  the  ' ,  and  are  generally  connected  with 
the  accented  vowels  of  the  emphatic  words. 
Doubt,  pity,  contrast,  grief,  supposition, 
comparison,  irony,  implication,  sneering, 
railery,  scorn,  reproach,  and  contempt,  are 
expressed  by  them.  Ee  sure  and  get  the  right 
feeling  and  thought,  and  you  will  find  no 
difficulty  in  expressing  them  properly,  if  you 
have  mastered  the  voice. 

366.  Exs.  of  the  rising  v.  1.  I  may  go 
to  town  to-morrow,  though  I  cannot  go  to- 
day. 2.  The  sun  sets  in  the  west,  not  in 
the  east.  3.  He  lives  in  London,  not  in 
Neiu  York.  4.  The  desire  of  praise — pro- 
duces excellent  effects,  in  men  of  sense.  5. 
He  is  more  a  knave,  than  a  fool.  6.  I  see 
thou  hast  learn'd  to  rlil,  if  thou  hast  learned 
nothing  else.  7.  Better  to  do  well  lite,  than 
never.  8.  A  pretty  fellow  you  are,  to  be 
sure/  9.  In  some  countries — poverty — is 
considered  a  misfortune;  in  others — a  crime. 
10.  The  young — are  slaves  to  novelty  ;  the 
old — to  custom. 

367.  Promiscuous  Examples.  1.  A  just 
appreciation  of  our  duties — is  worth  any  sa- 
crifice, that  its  attainments  may  cost.  2. 
Dearly  do  we  sometimes  pay  for  our  ivis- 
doni,  but  never  too  dearly.  3.  Is  not  the  life 
of  animals  dissipated  at  death  ?  4.  The  an- 
cients— had  the  art  of  singing,  before  that  of 
writing;  and  their  laws  and  histories  were 
sung,  before  they  were  written.  5.  This  heav- 
enly Benefactor  claims — not  the  homage  of 
our  lips,  but  of  our  hearts;  and  who  can 
doubt  that  he  is  entitled  to  the  homage  of  our 
hearts  ?  6.  If  we  have  no  regard  to  our  own 
character,  we  ought  to  have  some  regard  to 
the  character  of  others.  7.  Tell  your  invad- 
ers this;  and  tell  them,  too,  we  seek  no 
change;  and  least  of  all  —  such  change  as 
they  would  bring  us. 

36S.  We  must  avoid  a  mechanical  variety, 
and  adopt  a  natural  one :  this  may  be  seen  in 
children,  when  relating  anything  that  comes 
from  themselves;  then,  their  intonations, 
melody,  and  variety,  are  perfectly  natural, 
and  true  to  the  object  in  view :  let  us  go  and 
sit  at  their  feet  and  learn,  and  not  be  offend- 
ed. Let  us  turn  our  eye  and  ear,  to  truth 
and  nature  ;  for  they  will  guide  their  vota- 
ries right.  Give  us  the  soul  of  elocution  and 
music,  and  that  will  aid  in  forming  the  body. 

CONFIDENCE,  NOT  TO  BE  PLACED  IN  MAN. 

O  momentary  grace  of  mortal  ■inert, 
Which  we  more  hunt  for — than  the  grace  of  God! 
Who  builds  his  hope — in  air  of  your  fair  looks. 
Lives  like  a  drunken  sailor— on  a  mast ; 
Ready,  with  every  noil,  to  tumble  down — 
Into  the  fatal  bowels— of  the  deep. 


Maxims.  1.  The  love  of  sensual  pleasure,  is 
temporary  madness.  2.  Sacrifice — can  be  made 
on  bad  principles ;  obedience — only  on  good  ones. 
3.  Great  cry  and  little  rvool ;  applies  to  those  who 
promise  much,  but  practice  little.  4.  Do  what  you 
think  is  right,  whatever  others  may  think.  5. 
Learn  to  disregard  alike,  the  praise  and  the  cen- 
sure of  bad  men.  6.  Covet  that  popularity  that 
follows;  not  that  which  must  be  run  after.  7. 
What  sculpture  is — to  a  block  of  marble,  education 
is  to  the  human  mind.  8.  He,  who  is  unwilling 
to  amend,  has  the  devil  on  his  side.  9.  Extensive, 
various  reading,  without  reflection,  tends  to  the  in- 
jury of  the  mind.  10.  Proverbs  bear  age,  and  arc 
full  of  various  instruction. 

Anecdote.  John  Randolph's  Mot  her.  The 
late  John  Randolph,  some  years  before  his 
death,  wrote  to  a  friend  as  follows :  "  I  used 
to  be  called  a  Frenchman,  because  I  took  the 
French  side  in  politics  ;  and  though  that  was 
unjust,  yet  the  truth  is,  I  should  have  been 
a  French  atheist,  if  it  had  not  been  for  one  re- 
collection, and  that  was — the  memory  of  the 

time,  when  my  departed  mothei used  to 

take  my  little  hands  in  hers,  and  cause  me, 
on  my  knees,  to  say, '  Our  Father  ivho  art  in 
heaven.'' " 

School  Teachers.  It  is  important,  that 
teachers  of  youth,  should  not  only  be  respected, 
but  respectable  persons.  They,  who  are  in- 
trusted with  the  responsible  office  of  develop- 
ing the  mind,  and  directing  the  affections  of 
the  young,  ought  to  be  worthy  of  sharing  in 
all  the  social  enjoyments  of  the  most  refined 
society ;  and  they  ought  never  to  be  excluded 
from  such  participation.  Yet  it  is  scandal- 
ously true,  in  some  parts  of  our  country,  that 
teachers,  however  worthy,  are  excluded  from 
the  houses  of  the  very  parents,  who  send 
their  children  to  their  schools.  This  is  not 
only  contrary  to  all  republican  principles. 
but  is  in  direct  opposition  to  the  dictates  of 
common  sense.  Wherever  such  a  state  of 
things  exists,  the  people  are  but  half  civilized, 
whatever  pretensions  wealth,  and  other  cir- 
cumstances afford  them. 

Varieties.  1.  Enter  on  the  performance 
of  your  duties,  with  willing  hearts,  and 
never  seek  to  avoid  them.  2.  The  heart — is 
woman's  world;  it  is  there — her  ambition 
strives  for  the  mastery.  3.  The  object  of  rec- 
reation is — to  soften  and  refine,  not  to  render 
ferocious ;  as  is  the  case  with  amusements 
that  brutalize.  4.  Is  capital  punishment 
right  ?  5.  Who  has  done  the  more  injury — 
Mahomet,  or  Constantine?  6.  Is  tobacco — 
necessary  ?  7.  Why  is  the  figure  of  a  viper 
— used  to  express  ingratitude  ?  8.  Is  it  right 
to  go  to  wiar — on  any  occasion  1  9.  What  is 
the  usual  quantity  of  blood — in  a  common 
sized  body?  About  twenty-five  or  thirty 
pounds.  10.  Is  it  not  singular  that  Pope's 
translations  should  be  very  profuse,  and  bis 
original  compositions  very  concise  ? 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


131 


369.  Exs.  of  the  falling  ».  1.  Who 
cares  for  yofi  ?  2.  He  is  your  friend,  is  he? 
3.  You  tell  me  so,  do  you  ]  4.  If  I  were 
to  do  so,  what  would  you  say  1  5.  It  is 
not  prudence,  when  I  trust  my  secrets  to  a 
man  who  cannot  keep  his  own.  6.  You 
are  a  verv  wise  man,  strong,  brave,  peaceable. 
7.  If  you  had  told  me  so,  perhaps,  I  should 
have  believed  you.  8.  Sir,  you  are  a  fool. 
and  I  fear  you  will  remain  so. 

37©.  Manses.  What  we  mean,  does 
not  so  much  depend  on  what  we  say,  as  how 
we  say  it;  not  so  much  on  our  words,  as  on 
our  manner  of  speaking  them :  accordingly, 
in  elocution,  great  attention  must  necessarily 
be  given  to  this,  as  expressive  of  what  our 
words  do  not  always  indicate:  thus,  na- 
ture— fixes  the  outward  expression  of  every 
intention  and  sentiment.  Art  only  adds 
ease  and  gracefulness  to  the  promptings  of 
nature:  as  nature  has  ordained,  that  man 
shall  walk  on  his  feet,  and  not  on  his  hands, 
art — teaches  him  to  walk  gracefully. 

371.  Combination  of  the  Waves.  1. 
But  you  forsooth,  are  very  wise  men,  deeply 
learned  in  the  truth  ,■  we,  weak,  contempti- 
ble, mean  persons;  but  you, strong, gallant. 
2.  Mere  hirelings,  and  nmf-servers — are  al- 
ways opposed  to  (5)  improvements,  and  (6) 
origi?i!lift/ :  so  are  tyrants — to  liberty,  and 
rpublicanism.  3.  Wisdom  alone  is  truly 
fair  ,■  vice,  only  appears  so.  4.  How  like 
a  fawning  publican  he  looks!  5.  How 
green  you  are,  and  fresh  in  this  old  world  ! 
6.  What !  can  so  young  a  thorn  begin  to 
prick?  7.  Money — is  your  suit1?  What 
should  I  sly  to  you?  Should  I  not  say, 
Hath  a  d&g  money?  Is  it  possible — a  cur 
can  lend  three  thousand  ducats  ?  7.  They 
tell  us  to  be  moderate ;  but  they,  thet — 
are  to  revel  in  profusion  ! 

Miscellaneous.  1.  Can  one  phenome- 
non of  mind  be  presented,  without  being 
connected  With  another?  if  so, — how?  2. 
Reputation — often  effects  that,  which  did  not 
belong  to  one's  character.  Make  a  child — 
believe  that  he  is  considered  aimable,  by  his 
friends,  and  he  will  generally  become  so.  3. 
Affection — is  the  continuous  principle  of  love, 
— which  is  spiritual  heat ;  and  hence  the 
very  vital  principle  of  man.  4.  Must  not 
the  first  possible  idea — of  any  individual, 
have  been  the  product  of  the  relation — be- 
tween two  states  of  the  mind,  in  reference  to 
external  objects  ? 

Anecdote.  Banger  of  Bad  Company. 
St.  Austin  compares  the  danger  of  bad  com- 
pany— to  a  nail  driven  into  a  post;  which, 
after  the  first,  and  second  stroke,  may  be 
drawn  out  with  little  difficulty;  but  being 
once  driven  up  to  the  head,  the  pincers  can 
take  no  hold  to  draw  it  out ;  which  can  be 
done  only  by  the  destruction  of  the  wood. 


Maxims.  1.  A  wounded  reputation  is  seldom 
cured.  -J.  Conciliatory  manners  always  com- 
mand esteem.  3.  Never  deride  any  one's  infirmi- 
ties. 4.  Detraction — is  a  sin  against  justice.  5. 
Modesty — lias  more  charms  than  beauty.  6.  No 
fear  should  deter  us  from  doing  good.  7.  Pin  not 
your  faith  to  another  one's  sleeve.  8.  Reckless 
youth — makes  rueful  age.  9.  The  example  of  the 
good  is  visible  philosophy.  10.  Truth — never  fears 
rigid  examination.  11.  Sickness  is  felt,  hut  not 
health. 

Reason.  As  the  field  of  true  science  en- 
larges, as  thought  becomes  more  free,  an  in- 
quiry upon  all  subjects  becomes  more  bold 
and  searching;  a  voice  louder  and  still  loud- 
er comes  up  from  the  honest  and  thinking 
men  in  Christendom,  calling  for  rationality 
in  religion,  as  well  as  in  every  thing  else  ; 
calling  for  such  principles  of  biblical  inter- 
pretation, as  shall  show  the  scriptures  to 
be  indeed,  and  in  truth,  the  Word  of  God. 
Every  ray  of  truth,  which  has  been  sent 
from  heaven — to  enlighten  and  bless  man- 
kind, has  gained  admittance  into  the  world 
by  patient  struggling  and  persevering  con- 
test. 

Varieties.  1.  The  words  of  Sejieca,  the 
virtuous  Pagan,  put  to  the  blush — many  a 
pagan  christian.  2.  When  Socrates  was  in- 
formed, that  the  judges  had  sentenced  him 
to  death,  he  replied, — "  And  hath  not  Mature 
passed  the  same  sentence  on  them  ?"  4. 
There  is  more  eloquence,  in  the  tone  of  voice. 
in  the  looks,  and  in  the  gestures  of  a  speak- 
er, than  in  the  choice  of  his  words. 

Dear  Patience — too,  is  born  of  woe, 
Patience,  that  opens  the  gate 

Wherethrough  the  soul  of  man  must  go — 
Up  to  each  nobler  state. 

High  natures — must  be  thunder-scarred, 

With  many  a  searing  wrong. 
Law,  that  shocks  equity,  is  reason's  murder. 
I  would  not  waste  my  spring  of  youth, 
In  idle  dalliance;  I  would  plant  rich  seeds, 
To  blossom  in  my  manhood,  and  bear  fruit, 
When  I  am  old. 
Full  many  a  gem — of  purest  ray  serene, 

The  dark  unfathomed  caves  of  ocean  bear, 
Full  many  a.flow'r  is  born — to  blush  unseen, 

And  waste  its  sieeetness  on  the  desert  air. 
Beautiful  cloud  !  with  folds  so  soft  and  fair, 

Swimming — in  the  pure — quiet  air  .' 
Thy  fleeces,  bathed  in  sunlight,  while  below, 

Thy  shadow — o'er  the  vale  moves  slow  : 
Where, 'midst  their  labor,  pause  the  reaper  train, 

As  cool  it  comes— along  the  grain. 
Beautiful  cloud!  I  would  I  were  with  thee 

In  thy  calm  way — o'er  land  and  sea: 
To  rest — on  thy  unrolling  skirts,  and  look 

On  Earth — as  on  an  open  book; 
On  streams,  that  tie  her  realms,  with  silver  bands, 

And  the  long  ways,  that  seam  her  lands ; 
And  hear  her  humming  cities,  and  the  sound 

Of  the  great  ocean — breaking  round 


132 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


373.  Remember,  that  Nature  abhors  mo- 
notony, or  sameness  of  sound,  as  much  as 
she  does  a  vacuum.  Hence,  give  variety  in 
emphasis,  inflections,  and  waves, if  they  often 
occur.  1.  (3)  Hippy,  (5)  hippy,  (6)  hip- 
py pair!  none  but  the  (2)  brave/  (6) 
none  but  the  (5)  brave  ,-  none  (8)  but  the 
brave  deserve  the  fair  /  2.  (6)  What  apiece 
of  vmrk — is  man  !  how  noble  in  (5)  rea- 
son! how  infinite  in  (6)  faculties  !  in  (4) 
form,  and  (5)  moving,  how  express  and 
(6)  admirable  !  in  action,  how  like  an  an- 
gel! in  apprehension,  (4)  how  like  a  God! 
3.  My  judgment — approves  this  measure, 
and  my  whole  heart — is  in  it :  all  that  I 
have,-  (4)  all  that  I  am,-  and  all  that  I 
hope,  in  this  life,  I  am  now  ready  here  to 
stake  upon  it ;  and  I  leave  off  as  I  began  ,- 
th't  (4)  sink  or  swim ,-  (5)  live  or  die  ,- 
survive  or  (6)  perish,— 7  am  for  the  decla- 
ration. It  is  my  living  sentiment,  and  (2) 
by  the  blessing  of  God,  it  shall  be  my  dying 
sentiment :  (5)  Independence  —  (6)  now 
and  Independence  (9)  forever  ! 

373.  Effect.   What  is  the  use  of  reading, 
speaking,  and  singing,  if  the  proper  effect  is 
not  produced  ]    If  the  singing  in  our  church 
choirs,  and  the  reading  and  speaking  in  the 
desk  and  pulpit,  were  what  they  ought  to 
be,  and  what  they  may  be,  the  house  of  God 
would  be  more  thronged  than  theatres  ever 
have  been.    Oh !  when  will  the  best  of  truths 
be  delivered  in  the  best  of  manners  ?    May 
the  stars  of  elocution  and   music,  be  more 
numerous  than  the  stars  of  heaven  ! 
Because  I  cannot  flatter,  and  speak  fair, 
Smile  in  man's  face,  smooth.,  deceive  and  coy, 
Deck  with  French  words,  and  apish  courtesy, 
I  must  be  held — a  rancorous  enemy. 
Cannot  a  plain  man  live,  and  think  no  harm, 
But  thus  his  simple  truth — must  be  abused, 
By  silken,  sly,  insinuating  Jacks  I 
Tho'  plunged  in  ills,  and  exercised  in  care, 
Yet,  never  let  the  noble  mind  despair : 
When  prest  by  dangers,  and  beset  by  foes, 
Heaven  its  timely  succour  doth  interpose,  [grief,) 
And,  (when  our  virtue  sinks,  o'erwhelmed  with 
By  unforeseen  expedients — brings  relief. 
If  there's  a  sin— more  deeply  black  than  others, 
Distinguished  from  the  list  of  common  crimes, 
And  legion — in  itself,  and  doubly  dear 
To  the  dark  prince  of  hell— it  is  hypocrisy. 
Ye  gentle  gales,  beneath  my  body  blow, 
And  softly  lay  me — on  the  waves  below. 
Wisdom — took  up  her  harp,  and  stood  in  place 
Of  frequent  concourse — stood  in  every  gate, 
By  every  way,  and  walked  in  every  street, 
And,  lifting  up  her  voice,  proclaimed  :  Be  wise, 
Ye  fools  !  be  of  an  understanding  heart. 
Forsake  the  wicked  :  tonic  not  near  his  house: 
Pass  by  :  make  haste:  depart,  and   turn  away. 
Me  follow — me,  whose  ways  are  pleasantness, 
Whose  paths  are  peace,  whose  end  isperfectjoy. 


Maxims.  1.  A  faithful  friend— is  a  strong 
defence.  2.  Avoid  that  which  you  blame  in  others. 
3.  By  doing  nothing,  we  learn  to  do  ill.  4.  Con- 
fession of  a  fault,  makes  half  amends  for  it.  5. 
Dependence  and  obedience,  necessarily  belong  to 
youth.  6.  Every  art— is  best  tauglU  by  example. 
7.  Great  designs  require  great  consideration.  8. 
Misfortune  is  a  touchstone  of  friendship.  9. 
Never  sport  with  pain,  or  poverty.  10.  Put  no 
faith  in  tale-bearers. 

Anecdote.  Point  of  Law.  Blackstone, 
speaking  of  the  right  of  a  wife  to  dower,  as- 
serts, that  if  land  abide  in  the  husband  a  sin- 
gle moment,  the  wife  shall  be  endowed  there- 
of; and  he  adds,  that  the  doctrine  was  ex- 
tended very  far,  by  a  jury  in  Wales,  where 
the  father  and  son  were  hanged  at  the  same 
time ;  but  the  son  was  supposed  to  survive 
the  father,  by  appearing  to  struggle  the  long- 
er ;  whereby  he  became  seized  of  an  estate 
by  survivorship,-  in  consequence  of  which 
seizure,  Ms  wife — obtained  a  verdict  for  her 
dower. 

Riches  and  Talent.  Nothing  is  more 
common  than  to  see  station  and  riches — pre- 
ferred to  talent  and  goodness  ,-  and  yet  few 
things  are  more  absurd.  The  peculiar  supe- 
riority of  talent  and  good?iess — over  station 
and  riches,  may  be  seen  from  hence  ; — that 
the  influence  of  the  former — will  always  be 
the  greatest,  in  that  government,  which  is 
the  purest ,-  while  that  of  the  latter — will  al- 
ways be  the  greatest — in  the  government 
that  is  the  most  corrupt :  so  that  from  the 
preponderance  of  the  one,  we  may  infer  the 
soundness  and  vigor  of  the  commonwealth; 
but  from  the  other,  its  dotage  and  degeneracy. 
Varieties.  1.  Indolence  and  indecision, 
tho'  not  vices  in  themselves,  generally  pre- 
pare the  way  for  much  sin  and  misery.  2. 
If  the  mind  be  properly  cultivated,  it  will 
produce  a  storehouse  of  precious  fruits,-  but 
if  neglected,  it  will  be  overrun  with  noxious 
weeds  and  poisonous  plants.  3.  A  ki?id 
benefactor — makes  one  happy — as  soon  as  he 
can,  and  as  much  as  he  can.  4.  The  only 
sure  basis  of  every  government,  is  in  the  af- 
fection of  a  people,  rendered  contented,  and 
happy,  by  the  justness  and  mildness,  with 
which  they  are  ruled.  5.  As  moisture  is  re- 
quired to  the  formation  of  every  seed,  so  natu- 
ral truth — to  the  formation  of  first  principles. 

They  whom 
Nature's  works  can  charm,  with  God  himself 
Hold  converse  !  grow  familiar,  day  by  day, 
With  His  conceptions,  act  upon  His  plan, 
And  form  to  His — the  relish  of  their  souls. 
Our  present  acts,  tho'  slightly  we  pass  them  by, 
Are  so  much  seed — sown  for  Eternity. 

The  devil  can  cite  scripture  for  his  purpose — 

An  evil  soul,  producing  holy  wttne-is, 

Is  like  a  villain  with  a  smiling  cheek; 

A  goodly  apple,  rotten  at  the  heart; 

O,  what  a  goodly  outside— falsehood  hath '. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


133 


374.  As  the  principles  of  elocution  are 
few  and  simple,  and  as  practice  alone  makes 

perfect,  there  are  all  Kinds  of  examples  pro- 
vided for  those,  who  are  determined  to  de- 
velop their  minds  through  their  bodies,  and 
become  all  that  God  and  nature — intended 
them  to  be.  As  the  ear  is  most  intimately 
connected  with  the  affections — the  motive- 
power  of  the  intellect,  it  is  absolutely  neces- 
sary  that  the  student  should  exercise  aloud, 
that  the  voice  and  ear,  as  well  as  the  thoughts 
and  feelings,  may  be  cultivated  in  harmony 
and  correspondence.  If,  then,  he  finds  the 
task  severe,  let  him  persevere,  and  never 
mind  it. 

375.  Examples.  1.  The  queen  of  Den- 
mark, in  reproving  her  son,  Hamlet,  on  ac- 
count of  his  conduct  towards  his  sfep-father, 
whom  she  married,  shortly  after  the  murder 
of  the  king,  her  husband,  says  to  him,  "Ham- 
let, you  have  your  father  much  offended." 
To  which  he  replies,  with  a  circumflex  on 
you,  "Madam,  (3)  you  —  have  my  father 
much  offended."  He  meant  his  oivn  father : 
she — his  s/fp-father ;  he  would  also  intimate, 
that  she  was  accessory  to  his  fathers  mur- 
der,- and  his  peculiar  reply,  was  like  daggers 
in  her  soul.  2.  In  the  following  reply  of 
Death  to  Satan,  there  is  a  frequent  occurrence 
of  circumflexes,  mingled  with  contempt : 
"  And  reckon'st  thou  thyself 'with  spirits  of 
/>■■:  /ren,  hell-doomed,  and  breath'st  defiance 
h&re,  and  scorn,  where  J  reign  king?  and, 
to  enrage  thee  more, — thy  king,  and  lord  ?" 
The  voice  is  circumflected  on  heaven,  hell- 
doomed,  king  and  thy,  nearly  an  octave.  3. 
Come,  show  me  what  thoul't  dd;  woul't 
weep?  woul't  fight?  woul't  fast?  woul't  tear 
thyself?  I'll  do't.  Dost  thou  come  here  to 
whine?  to  outface  me,  with  leaping  in  her 
grave  ?  be  buried  quick  with  her,  and  so  will 
Ix;  and  if  thou  prate  of  mountains,  let  them 
throw  millions  of  acres  on  us,  till  our 
ground,  singeing  her  pate  against  the  burn- 
ing zone,  make  Ossa — like  a  wart.  Nay, 
an  thoul't  mouthe,  i'll  rant  as  well  as  thoit. 

Anecdote.  A  clergyman,  once  traveling 
in  a  stage-coach,  was  abruptly  asked  by  one 
ot  the  passengers,  if  any  of  the  heathens 
would  go  to  heaven.  '' Sir,"  answered  the 
clergyman,  "I  am  not  appointed  judge  of 
the  world,  and,  consequently,  cannot  tell; 
but,  if  ever  you  get  to  heaven,  you  shall 
either  find  some  of  .nera  tnere,  or  a  good 
reason  vliy  tney  are  not  there." 

Too  High  or  too  Iiow.  In  pulpit  elo- 
quence, the  grand  difficulty  is  to  give  the 
subject  all  the  dignity  it  so  fully  deserves, 
without  attaching  any  importance  to  our- 
selves. The  christian  minister  cannot  think 
too  highly  of  his  Master,  or  too  humbly  of 
himself.  This  is  the  secret  art  which  capti- 
vates and  improves  an  audience,  and  which 
all  who  see,  will  fancy  they  could  imitate  ; 
while  manv  who  '..y,  wui  not  succeed,  be- 
cause they  are  not  influenced  by  proper  na- 
tives, and  do  not  use  the  right  means. 

M 


Proverbs,  t.  Forbearance  —  is  requisite  in 
youth,  in  middle  age.  and  ill  old  age.  2.  Peculiar- 
ities— are  easily  acquired;  but  it  is  very  difficult  to 
eradicate  them.  u.  Good  principles  are  of  no  usi 
to  us,  unless  we  are  governed  by  lliem.  4.  Co- 
quetry— is  the  vice  of  a  small  mind.  5.  Pure  met- 
als— shine  brighter,  the  more  they  are  rubbed.  G. 
Pride — lives  on  very  costly  food. — its  keeper's 
happiness.  7.  Extremes  —  are  generally  hurtful; 
for  they  often  expose  us  to  damage,  or  render  us 
ridiculous.  S.  In  the  days  of  affluence,  always 
think  of  poverty.  9.  Never  let  want  come  upon 
you,  and  make  you  remember  the  days  of  plenty. 
10.  No  one  can  become  a  good  reader  or  speaker 
in  a  few  weeks,  or  a   few  months. 

Woman.  I  have  always  observed,  says 
Ledyard,  that  women,  in  all  countries,  are 
civil,  obliging,  tender,  and  humane;  that 
they  are  inclined  to  be  gay  and  cheerful,  tim- 
orous and  modest,  and  that  they  do  not,  like 
man,  hesitate  to  perform  a  generous  action. 
Not  haughty,  arrogant,  or  supercilious,  they 
are  full  of  courtesy,  and  fond  of  society;  more 
liable,  in  general,  to  err  than  man,  but  in 
general,  also,  more  virtuous,  and  performing 
more  good  actions  than  he.  To  a  woman 
whether  civilized  or  savage,  I  never  address- 
ed myself  in  the  language  of  decency  and 
friendship,  without  receiving  a  decent  and 
friendly  answt  r.  With  man  it  has  been  often 
otherwise.  In  wandering  through  the  barren 
plains  of  inhospitable  Deyimark;  thro'  hon- 
est Sweden,  and  frozen  Lapland,  rude  and 
churlish  Finland,  unprincipled  Russia,  and 
the  wide-spread  regions  of  the  wandering 
Tartar;  it  hungry,  dry,  cold,  wet,  or  sick, 
the  wometi — have  ever  been  friendly  to  me 
and  uniformly  so;  and  to  add  to  this  virtue, 
(so  worthy  to  be  called  benevolence,)  their 
actions  have  been  performed  in  so  free  and 
kind  a  manner,  that  if  I  were  dry,  I  drank 
the  sweetest  draught,  and  {{hungry,  ate  the 
coarsest  morsel,  with  a  double  relish. 

Varieties.  1.  When  Baron,  the  actor, 
came  from  hearing  one  of  Massillon's  ser- 
mons, he  said  to  one  of  his  comrades  of  the 
stage ;  here  is  an  orator;  we — are  only  ac- 
tors. 2.  Some  people — wash  themselves  for 
the  sake  of  being  clean;  others,  for  the  sake 
of  appearing  so.  3.  Of  all  the  pursuits,  by 
which  property  is  acquired,  none  is  prefera- 
ble to  agriculture, — none  more  proa : 
and  none  more  worthy  of  a  gentleman.  4. 
It  is  a  maxim  with  unprincipled  politicians, 
to  destroy,  where  they  cannot  intimidate. 
nor  persuade.  5.  Good  humor,  and  mental 
charms,  are  as  much  superior  to  external 
beauty,  as  mind  is  superior  to  matter.  6. 
Be  wise,  be  prudent,  bo  discreet,  and  tem- 
perate, in  all  things 

Patriots  have  toil*1'',  and  in  their  country's  cause 
Bled  nobly,  ar^  their  deeds,  as  they  deserve, 
Receive  i.oud  recompense.    We  give  in  charge 
Their  names — to  the  sweet  lyre.    The  historic  muse, 
Ptuud  of  her  treasure,  marches  with  it — down 
To  latest  times;  and  sculpture,  in  her  turn, 
Gives  bond,  in  stone — and  ever-during  brass, 
To  guard  them — and  immortalize  her  trust. 


134 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


3T6.  Intonations.  The  intonations  are 
opposite  to  monotones,  and  mean  the  rise  and 
fall  of  the  voice,  in  its  natural  movements 
through  a  sentence:  the}T  are  demonstrated 
in  music,  and  here,  in  elocution.  In  all  com- 
mon kinds  of  reading  and  speaking,  the  voice 
should  not  generally  rise  and  fall  more  than 
one  note,  in  its  passage  from  syllable  to  syl- 
lable, and  from  word  to  word :  its  movement 
will  then  he  gentle,  easy  and  flowing.  But 
when  the  passion,  or  sentiment  to  be  exhibit- 
ed, is  powerfully  awakening  or  exciting,  it 
may  rise  or  fall  several  notes,  according  to 
the  predominance  of  feeling. 

377.  Our  (6)  sight — is  the  most  (4)  per- 
fect, and  most  (5)  delightful  —  of  all  our 
senses.  (4)  It  fills  the  mind  with  the  largest 
variety  of  (3)  ideas ;  (5)  converses  with  its 
objects  at  the  greatest  (6)  distance;  and  con- 
tinues the  longest  in  (5)  action, without  being 
(4)  tired — or  (3)  satiated,  with  its  proper  en- 
joyments. The  (6)  sense  of  (S)  feeling, 
can,  indeed,  give  us  the  idea  of  (5)  extension, 
(6)  shape,  and  all  other  properties  of  matter, 
th't  are  perceived  by  the  (5)  eye,  except  (4) 
colors.  (3)  At  the  same  time — it  is  very  much 
i'5)  straightened — and  (4)  confined  in  its  ope- 
rations, to  the  (3)  number,  (4)  bulk,  and  (5) 
distance,  of  its  peculiar  objects. 

378.  When  we  read,  or  speak,  without  any 
feeling,  the  voice  ranges  between  our  first 
and  fourth  notes;  when  there  is  a  moderate 
degree  of  feeling,  and  the  subject  somewhat 
interesting,  it  ranges  between  our  second  and 
sixth  notes;  when  there  is  a  high  degree  of 
feeling  and  interest,  it  ranges  between  our 
fourth  and  eighth  notes ;  descending,  how- 
ever, to  the  third  and  first,  in  a  cadence,  or 
close  of  the  effort.  It  is  highly  necessary  to 
keep  the  voice  afloat,  and  never  let  it  run 
aground;  that  is,  let  the  feeling  and  thought 
keep  it  on  the  proper  pitches,  and  do  not  let 
it  descend  to  the  first,  or  ground-note,  till  the 
piece  is  completed ;  except  in  depressed  mo- 
notony. Memorize  the  preceding,  and  folk 
it  off  in  an  easy,  graceful  and  appropriate 
manner. 

Abstract  Question.  Which  is  more  pro- 
bable, that  out  judgment,  in  respect  to  exter- 
nal phenomena,  has  been  warped,  by  compar- 
ing their  operations  with  those  of  the  mind,; 
or,  that  our  metaphysical  mistakes  have  been 
occasioned,  by  forming  a  false  analogy  be- 
tween its  internal  operations,  and  outward 
pptarances  ?   . 

The  midnight  moon— serenely  smiles 

O'er  nature's  soft  repose  ; 
No  towering  cloud  obscures  the  sky, 

No  ruffling  tempest  blows. 
Now,  every  passion — sinks  to  rest; 

The  throbbing  heart  lies  still ; 
And  varying  schemes  oHife — no  more 
Distract  the  laboring  will. 


Proverbs.  1.  A  clear  conscience  fears  no  ac- 
cusation. 2.  An  open  door  will  tempt  a  saint.  3. 
Confidence  —  is  the  companion  of  success.  4. 
Cruelty  to  a  woman  is — the  crime  of  a  monster.  5. 
A  smart  reproof  is  better  than  smooth  deceit.  6.  Add 
not  trouble  to  the  grief-worn  heart.  7.  Affectation 
— is  at  best  a  deformity.  8.  Bear  misfortunes  with 
patience  and  fortitude.  9.  A  good  maxim  is  never 
out  of  season.  10.  Ambition — never  looks  behind. 
11.  A  wise  man  wants  but  little.  12.  Knowledge 
— makes  no  one  happy. 

Anecdote.  A  tragedy  of  JEschylus  wat 
once  represented  before  the  Athenians,  in 
which  it  was  said  of  one  of  the  characters, 
"  that  he  cared  more  to  be  just,  than  to  appeal 
so."  At  these  words,  all  eyes  were  instantly 
turned  upon  Aristides,  as  the  man  who,  of 
all  the  Greeks,  most  merited  that  distinguish- 
ed character :  and  ever  after  he  received,  by 
universal  consent,  the  surname  of — "  The 
Just." 

Courtesy.  St.  Paul,  addressing  liimself  to 
christians  of  all  grades  and  classes,  even  down 
to  menial  servants,  exhorts  them  to  be  cour- 
teous. Courteous?! ess — must  mean,  therefore, 
a  something,  which  is  within  the  reach  of  all 
sorts  of  people;  and,  in  its  primary  and  best 
sense,  is  exactly  such  a  behavior,  as  sponta- 
neously springs  from  a  heart,  warm  with 
benevolence,  and  unwilling  to  give  needless 
pain,  or  uneasiness  to  a  fellow-being.  We 
have  no  more  right,  wantonly  or  carelessly 
to  wound  the  mind,  than  to  wound  the  body 
of  a  fellow-being ;  and,  in  many  instances, 
the  former — is  the  more  cruel  of  the  two. 

Varieties.  1.  Some  start  in  life,  without 
any  leading  object  at  all ;  some,  with  a  loio 
aim,  and  some,  with  a  high  one;  and  just  in 
proportion  to  the  elevation  at  which  they  aim, 
will  generally  be  their  success.  2.  Guard 
against  fraud,  and  imposition ;  and  forego 
some  advantages,  rather  than  gain  them  at  a 
risk,  that  cannot  be  ascertained.  3.  In  the 
determination  of  doubtful  and  intricate  cases, 
the  nicest  discrimination,  and  great  solidity 
of  judgment,  are  required.  4.  We  have  an 
instinctive  expectation  of  finding  nature 
em-j/where  the  same,  —  always  consistent, 
and  true  to  herself;  but  whence  this  expec- 
tation? 5.  Is  there  not  something  in  the 
native  air  of  true  freedom,  to  alter,  expand, 
and  improve  the  external  form,  as  well  as  the 
internal?  6.  Is  not  affluence — a  snare,  and 
poverty, —  a  temptation  ?  7.  Man  is  a  true 
epitome  of  the  spiritual  world,  or  world  of 
mind ;  and  to  know  himself,  is  the  perfection 
of  wisdom. 

CURIOSITY. 

It  came  from  Heaven.— it  reign'd  in  Eden's  shades, 
It  roves  on  earth— and  every  walk  invades : 
Childhood— and  age— alike  its  influence  own, 
It  haunts  the  beggar's  nook,  the  monarch's  throne ; 
Hangs  o'er  the  cradle,  leans  above  the  bier, 
Gazed  on  old  Babel's  tower, — and  lingers  here. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


135 


379*      INTONATIONS      AND     MELODY      OF 

Speech.  By  the  first — is  meant  the  move- 
ment of  the  voice  through  the  dilferent  notes 
of  the  scale,  AS-cending  and  DE-scending, 
with  an  appropriate  and  agreeable  variety 
of  sounds;  by  the  second,  an  agreeable  suc- 
cession of  sounds,  either  in  speech  or  song. 
A  dull  repetition  of  words  or  sounds,  on 
nearly  the  same  pitch,  is  very  grating  to  the 
ear,  and  disgusting  to  correct  taste  ;  and  yet 
it  is  one  of  the  most  common  faults  of  the 
bar,  the  senate  and  pulpit ,-  indeed,  in  every 
place  where  there  is  public  speaking :  which 
is  the  melancholy  result  of  the  usual  course 
of  teaching  children  to  read. 

350.  Examples  partially  exhibited. 
1 .  (5)  Seest  thou  a  man  (5)  diligent  in  his  (6)  bu- 
siness ?  (5)  He  shall  stand  before  (4)  kings,  (3) 
he  shall  (4)  stand  before  (5)  mean  men.  2.  (3) 
0  swear  not  by  the  (6)  moon, the  (5)  inconstant 

(4)  moon,  (3)  that  monthly  (5)  changes  in  its 
circled  (3)  orb.  3.  Said  Mr.  Pitt,  to  his  aged 
accuser,  in  debate,  (4)  "  But  (6)  youth,  it 
seems,  is  not  my  (5)  only  (3)  crime,  (4)  I  have 
been  accused — of  (5)  acting  (6)  a  (S)  theatri- 
cal part."  4.  (5)  Standing  on  the  ascent  of 
the  (6)  past,  we  survey  the  (5)  present,  and 
'4)  extend  our  views  into  (3)  futurity.    5. 

(5)  No  one — will  ever  be  the  (4)  happier,  for 
(5)  talents,  or  (4)  riches,  (3)  unless  he  makes 
i  right  (3)  use  of  them.  6.  (5)  Truths — have 
(4)  life  in  them ;  and  the  (6)  effect  of  that 
life  is  (3)  unceasing  expansion.  7.  (6)  He, 
who  loves  the  (5)  Lord,  with  all  his  (4)  heart, 
and  his  neighbor  as  (4)  himself,  needs  no  (5) 
compass,  or  (4)  helm  to  steer  his  (3)  course ; 
because  (5)  truth  and  (4)  love  are  his  (3) 
wind  and  (2)  tide.  N.  B.  The  inflections,  cir- 
cumflexes, &c,  commence  with  the  accented 
vowel,  which  is  supposed  to  be  on  the  note 
indicated  byr  the  preceding  figure. 

351.  Promiscuous  Examples  "without 
Notation.  The  predominant  characteristics 
of  the  female  mind  is  affection :  and  that  of 
the  male  mind  is  thought :  tho'  both  have  af- 
fection and  thought ;  but  disparity — does  not 
imply  inferiority.  The  sexes  are  intended 
for  different  spheres  of  life,  and  are  created 
in  conformity  to  their  destination,  by  Him, 
who  bids  the  oak — brave  the  fury  of  the 

/,   and  the   Alpine  fiowei lean  its 

check  on  the  bosom  of  eternal  snow. 

Abstract  Question.  Is  not  that  pro- 
pensity  of  the  human  mind,  which  seeks  for 
a  medium  of  communication,  between  two 
physical  phenomena,  to  be  traced  to  the  fact, 
that  every  admitted  truth,  is  derived  from  a 
medium  of  knowledge;  and  that  there  is  a 
connection  among  all  intellectual  phenome- 
na ;  so  much  so,  that  we  cannot  conceive  a 
new  idea,  without  a  medium  of  communica- 
tion] 


Laconics.  1.  By  minding  our  own  business, 
we  shall  be  more  useful,  more  benevolent,  more 
respected,  and  ten  times  happier.  2.  That  stu- 
dent will  live  miserably,  who  lies  down,  like  a 
camel,  under  his  burden.  3.  Remember,  v.!.: 
you  live,  it  is  by  looks — that  men  deceive.  4.  A 
foolish  friend  may  cause  more  woe,  Than  could 
indeed  the  wisest  foe.  5.  He,  who  confides  in  a 
person  of  no  honor,  may  consider  himself  very 
lucky,  if  he  is  not  a  sufferer  by  it.  6.  The  condi- 
tion of  mankind  is  such,  that  we  must  not  believe 
every  smooth  speech — the  cover  of  a  kind  inten- 
tion. 7.  Who  is  wise?  He  who  learns  from  every 
one.  8.  Who  is  rich?  He,  who  is  contented.  9. 
Nothing  is  so  dumb — as  deep  emotion.  10.  Where 
there  is  much  mystery,  there  is  generally  much 
ignorance.  11.  Catch  not  soon  at  offence.  12. 
Whoso  loseth  his  spirits,  loseth  all. 

Anecdote.  Choice  of  a  Husband.  An 
Athenian,  who  was  hesitating,  whether  to 
give  his  daughter  in  marriage  to  a  man  of 
worth  with  a  small  fortune,  or  to  a  rich  man, 
who  had  no  other  recommendation,  went  to 
consult  Themistocles  on  the  subject.  "I 
would  bestow  my  daughter,"  said  Themisto- 
cles, "  upon  a  man  without  money,  rather 
than  upon  money  without  a  man.'''' 

True  Philosophy — consists  in  doing  all 
the  good  that  we  can,  in  learning  all  the 
good  we  can,  in  teaching  to  others  all  the 
good  we  can,  in  bearing,  to  the  best  of  our 
ability,  the  various  ills  of  life,  and  in  enjoy- 
ing, with  gratitude,  every  turnest  pleasure — 
that  comes  in  our  way. 

Varieties.  1.  Should  not  our  intentions, 
as  well  as  our  actions — be  good?  2.  True. 
love — is  of  slotv  groivth,  mutual  and  recipro- 
cal, and  founded  on  esteem.  3.  Graces,  and 
accomplishments — are  too  often  designed  for 
Sea«a>caching,  and  coquetry.  4.  There  is 
time  for  all  things.  5.  An  individual — in- 
clined to  magnify  every  good,  and  minify 
every  evil — must  be  a  pleasing  companion, 
or  partner — for  life, — whether  male  or  fe- 
male. 6.  Knowledge — is  not  wisdom  ;  it  is 
only  the  raw  material,  from  which  the  beau- 
tiful fabric  of  wisdom  is  produced,-  there- 
fore, let  us  not  spend  our  days  in  gathering 
materials,  and  live,  and  die,  without  a  shel- 
ter. 7.  Every  evil — has  its  limit;  which, 
when  passed,  plunges  the  wicked  into  mis- 
ery. 8.  One  thief  in  the  house,  is  more  to  be 
dreaded  than  ten — in  the  street.  9.  The 
more  haste,  generally  the  worst  speed.  10. 
The  moral  government,  under  which  we  live, 
is  a  kingdom  of  uses  ;  and  whatever  we  pos- 
sess, is  given  us  for  use  ;  and  with  it,  the  op- 
portunity andpovjer  of  using  it. 

Thou  art.  O  God,  the   life  and  light 

Of  all  this  wondrous  world  we  see, 
Its  glow  by  day,  its  smile  by  night. 

Are  but  reflections — caught  from  thee ; 
Wliere'cr  we  turn,  thy  glories  shine, 
And  alt  things/air  and  bright  are  thine. 


136 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


382.  Intonations  Continued.  Listen 
attentively,  to  a  person  under  the  influence 
of  nature,  of  his  own  feelings  and  thoughts  : 
he  relates  stories,  supports  arguments,  com- 
mands those  under  his  authority,  speaks  to 
persons  at  a  distance,  utters  exclamations  of 
anger  and  rage,  joy  and  rapture,  pours 
forth  lamentations  of  sorrow  and  grief, 
breathes  affection,  love,  &c.  in  different  pitch- 
es, tones,  qualities,  emphasis,  infection,  and 
circumflexes,  elevations  and  depressions  of 
voice.  The  only  possibility  of  success,  there- 
fore, is — to  get  perfect  control  of  the  vocal 
organs,  by  practicing  these  principles,  and 
conforming  the  whole  manner  to  the  sense 
and  objects  of  the  composition. 

3S3.  Intonation  and  Melodt.  These 
examples  are  given  as  general  guides;  the 
figures  refer  to  the  notes  in  the  Diatonic 
Scale.  1.  (4)  But,  (5)  from  the  (4)  tomb,  (5) 
the  (4)  voice  of  (5)  nature  (6)  cries,  (6)  And, 
(5)  in  our  (4)  ashes,  (5)  live  (4)  their  won-(3) 
ted  (2)  fires.  2.  But  (5)  yonder  comes,  (4) 
rejoicing  in  the  (6)  east,  (5)  The  (4)  powerful 

(3)  king  of  (2)  day.  3.  (6)  Awake!  'o) 
ARISE  !  (6)  or  (5)  be  (3)  forever  (2)  fallen. 
4.  (3)  He  expired  in  a  (5)  victual'ng-housc, 

(4)  which  I  hope  (5)  1  (3)  shall  (2)  not.    7. 

(5)  Fair  (6)  angel,  thy  (5)  dr-cre,  which  tends 
to  (6)  know  The  works  of  (5)  God,  doth  (4) 
merit  (3)  praise.  8  \b)  Such  (4)  honors  Ilion 
to  (6)  her  lover  >.aid,  And  (5)  peaceful  slept 
(4)  the  mighty  (3)  Hectors  (2) shade.  Note. 
Construct  a  scale  on  faint  ruled  paper,  and 
place  Uie  words  on  it  as  indicated ;  the  same 
as  notes  are  on  the  musical  staff. 

Miscellaneous.  1.  Beauty  —  is  the  out- 
ward form  of  goodness :  and  this  is  the  rea- 
son, we  love  it  instinctively,  without  think- 
ing why  we  love :  but  we  cease  to  love,  when 
we  find  it  unaccompanied  with  truth  and 
goodness.  2.  Make  not  your  opinions,  the 
criterion  of  right  and  wrong:  but  make 
right  and  wrong — the  criterion  of  your  ac- 
tions and  principles. 

Few — bring  back  at  eve, 

Immaculate,  the  manners  of  the  mom  ; 

Something  we  thought — is  blotted,  we  resolved — 

Is  shaken,  we  renounced — returns  again. 

There  is  no  greater  punishment  of  vice — 

Than  that  it  have  its  own  will; 

Hence,  guilty — infernal  love  becomes  the 

Most  deadly  hate. 

The  intent,  and  not  the  deed, 
Is  in  our  power;  and  therefore,  who  dares  greatly, 
Does  greatly. 

6.  Words — are  things ;  a  small  drop  of 
ink,  (falling  like  dev; — )  upon  thought,  pro- 
duces that,  which  makes  thousands,  perhaps 
millions  think.  7.  Something — is  at  all 
times — flowing  iiito  us. 

Too  much  die  beautiful — we  prue , 
The  useful—  often  we  de'pne. 


Proverbs.  1.  The  remedy  for  injuries  is — 
not  to  remember  them.  2.  To  read,  and  not  under- 
stand, is  to  pursue,  and  not  overtake.  3.  Truth  n- 
fints,  but  does  not  obscure.  4.  He  who  teaches, 
often  learns  himself.  5.  Worth — has  been  tmder- 
rated,  ever  since  wealth — has  been  overrated.  6. 
Antiquity — cannot  sanction  an  error,  nor  novelty 
injure  a  truth.  7.  A  man  in  a  passion,  rides  a 
horse  that  runs  away  with  him.  8.  A  small  leak 
will  sink  a  great  ship.  9.  Never  forget  a  good 
turn.  10.  Lying — is  the  vice  of  a  slave.  11.  Self- 
conceit — is  the  attendant  of  ignorance.  12.  The 
love  of  society  is  natural. 

Anecdote.  The  emperor  of  China  --in- 
quired of  Sir  George  Staunton,  t>  jout  the 
manner  in  which  physicians  *\ere  paid  in 
England.  When  he  was  rove  to  understand 
what  the  practice  was,  hi,  exclaimed, — "  Can 
any  man  in  England  afford  to  be  ill  1  Now, 
I  have  four  physicians,  and  pay  all  of  them 
a  weekly  sal'iiy  ;  but  the  moment  I  am  sick. 
that  salary  is  stopped,  till  I  am  well  again ; 
therefMe,  my  indisposition  is  never  of  long 
delation." 

Woman.  The  prevailing  manners  of  an 
age  depend,  more  than  we  are  aware  of,  or 
are  willing  to  allow,  on  the  conduct  of  the 
women  :  this  is  one  of  the  principal  things 
on  which  the  great  machine  of  human  society 
turns.  Those,  who  allow  the  influence  which 
female  graces  have  in  contributing  to  polish 
the  manners  of  men,  would  do  well  to  reflect, 
how  great  an  influence  female  morals  must 
also  have  on  their  conduct.  How  much, 
then,  is  it  to  be  regretted,  that  women — should 
ever  sit  down,  contented,  to  polish,  when  they 
are  able  to  reform — to  entertain,  when  they 
might  instruct.  Nothing  delights  men  more 
than  their  strength  of  understanding,  when 
true  gentleness  of  manners  is  its  associate ; 
united,  they  become  irresistible  orators,  bless'd 
with  the  power  of  persuasion,  fraught  with 
the  sweetness  of  instruction,  making  woman 
the  highest  ornament  of  human  nature. 

Varieties.  1.  Fear — is  a  bad  preserver 
of  o?? //thing  intended  to  endure;  but  love — 
will  generally  ensure  fidelity,  even  to  theenrf. 
2.  He,  who  knowingly  defends  the  wrong 
side  of  a  question,  pays  a  very  bad  compli- 
ment to  his  hearers:  as  much  as  to  say ;  False- 
hood, supported  by  my  talents,  is  stronger 
than  truth,  supported  by  yours.  3.  Before  a 
man  should  be  convicted  of  a  libel,  the  jury 
must  be  satisfied,  that  it  was  his  intention  to 
libel ;  not  to  state  facts,  which  he  believed  to 
be  true,  or,  reasonings,  which  he  thoigin 
just.  4.  The  difference  between  ine  word 
of  God,  and  the  compositv/ns  of  man,  is  as 
great,  as  between  teal  flame  and  painted 
flame.  5.  Lisswiulation,e\en  the  most  in- 
nocni,  is  ever  productive  of  embarrassments; 
whether  the  design  is  evil,  or  ?iof,  artifice  is 
always  dangerous,  and  almost  inevitably  dis- 
graceful. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


137 


384.  Revisions.  Let  all  the  preceding 
principles  be  reviewed,  with  an  illustration  of 
each,  and  endeavor  to  fix  them,  permanently, 
in  the  mind,  by  seeing  their  truth,  and  feeling 
their  power  in  practice ;  so  that  you  can  write 
a  work  yourself  on  the  philosophy  of  mind 
and  voice.  Remember,  that  nothing  is  yours, 
till  you  make  it  your  own,  by  understanding 
it  scientifically,  rationally  and  affcctuously, 
and  then  by  applying  it  to  its  proper  object : 
do  not  forget  effects,  causes,  ends,  their  suc- 
cessive order,  and  simultaneous  development. 

eve's  lament  on  leaving  paradise. 
(Plaintive,  with  quantity.) 
O,  unexpected  stroke,  worse  than  of  Death! 
Must  I  thus  leave  thee,  Paradise?  thus  leave 
Thee,  native  soil,  these  happy  walks  and  shades. 
Fit  haunt  of  gnds?  where  I  had  hoped  to  spend, 
I  Quiet,  tho'  sad,)  the  respite  of  that  day, 
That  must  be  mortal  to  us  both  ; 
O  flowers,  (that  will  never  in  other  climate  grow,) 
My  early  visitation,  and  my  last 
At  ev'n,  which  I  bred  up,  with  tender  hand, 
From  the  first  opening  bud,  and  gave  ye  names  ; 
Wlio.  now.  shall  rear  you  to  the  sun,  and  rank 
Your  tribes,  and  water  from  the  ambrosial  fount? 
Thee,  (lastly,)  nuptial  bower,  by  me  adorned 
With  what  to  sight,  or  smell,  was  sweet,  from  thee 
How  shall  1  part,  and  whither  wander — down 
Into  a  lower  world,  to  this — obscure 
And  wild?     How  shall  we  breathe  in  other  air, 
Less  jwre,  accustomed  to  immortal  fruits  ! 

385.  How  mean, — how  timid, — how  ab- 
ject, must  that  spirit  be,  which  can  sit  down, 
— contented  with  mediocrity.  As  for  myself 
— all  that  is  within  me  is  on  fire.  I  had  ra- 
ther be  torn  into  a  thousand  pieces,  than  relax 
my  resolution,  of  reaching  the  sitblimest 
heights  of  virtue — and  knowledge,  of  good- 
ness—  and  truth,  of  love  —  and  wisdom. 
Nothing  is  so  arduous, — nothing  so  admir- 
able, in  human  affairs,  but  may  be  attained 
by  the  industry  of  man.  We  are  descended 
from  heaven. ;  thilher  let  us  go,  whence  we 
derive  our  origin.  Let  nothing  satisfy  us, — 
lower  than  the  summit  of  all  excellence. 

Nominalists  and  Realists.    The  Nom- 
inalists  —  were  a  sect,  the  followers  of  Ros- 
celinus   and    Abelard:    according    to   these 
philosophers,  there  are  no  existences  in  na- 
ture corresponding  to  general  terms,  and  the 
objects  of  our  attention  in  all  our  general 
speculations,  are  not  ideas,  but  words.    The 
Realists — were  their  opponents,  and  adhered 
to  the  principles  of  Aristotle. 
Oft — may  the  spirits  of  the  dead — descend 
To  watch — the  silent  slumbers  of  a.  friend  ; 
To  hover — round  his  evening  walk — unseen, 
And  hold  sweet  converse — on  the  dusky  green; 
To  hail  the  spot — where  first  their  friendship  grew, 
And  heaven — and  nature — opened  to  their  view. 
Oft,  when  he  trims  his  cheerful  hearth,  and  sees 
A  smiling  circle — emulous  to  please, 
There— may  these  gentle  guests — delight  to  dwell, 
And  bless  the  scene— they  loved  in  life  so  well. 

18  m2 


I<aconics.  1.  The  great  battle  and  contest 
among  politicians  is — not  how  the  government 
shall  be  administered,  but  who  shall  admin  stir  it 
2.  They  who  go  to  church  out  of  vanity,  or  curi- 
osity, and  not  for  worship  and  instruction,  should 
not  value  themselves  on  account  of  their  religion; 
for  it  is  not  worth  a  straiv.  3.  Allow  time  for 
consideration ;  everything  is  badly  executed,  that 
is  done  by  force  or  violence.  4.  Occasional  mirth, 
is  not  incompatible  with  wisdom;  and  the  man  of 
reserved  habits,  may  sometimes  be  gay.  5.  Happy 
are  they,  who  draw  lessons  of  prudence — from  the 
dangers,  in  which  others  are  involved.  6.  Elo- 
quence— can  pierce  the  reluctant  wonder  of  the 
world,  and  make  even  monarchs  tremble  on  their 
thrones. 

Anecdote.  Spinola.  "  Pray,  of  what  did 
your  brother  die.?"  said  the  Marquis  Spinola, 
one  day  to  Sir  Horace  Vcre.  "  He  died,  sir," 
replied  he, "  of  having  nothing  to  do."  "Alas ! 
sir,"  said  Spinola,  "  that  is  enough  to  kill  any 
general  of  us  all."  Mostesquieu  says,  "We, 
in  general,  place  idleness  among  the  beati- 
tudes of  heaven ;  it  should  rather,  I  think,  be 
put  amid  the  tortures  of  hell.  Austin  calls  it 
— the  burying  a  man  alive." 

Female  Education.  How  greatly  is  it 
to  be  regretted,  that  for  the  benefit  of  both 
sexes,  luornen  are  not  generally  so  educated, 
that  their  conversations  might  be  still  much 
more  useful  to  us,  as  well  as  beneficial  to 
themselves!  If,  instead  of  filling  their  heads 
with  trifles,  or  worse  than  trifles,  they  were 
early  taught  what  might  be  really  useful, 
they  would  not  then  be  so  continually  in 
pursuit  of  silly,  ridiculous,  expensive,  and 
many  times  criminal  amusement;  neither 
would  their  conversation  be  so  insipid  and 
impertinent,  as  it  too  often  is.  On  the  con- 
trary, were  their  minds  properly  improved 
with  knowledge,  which  it  is  certain  they  are 
exceedingly  capable  of,  how  much  more 
agreeable  would  they  be  to  themselves,  and 
how  much  more  improving  and  delightful  to 
us?  How  truly  charming  does  beauty  ap- 
pear, when  adorned  by  good  nature,  good 
sense,  and  knowledge  ?  And  when  beauty 
fades,  as  soon  it  must,  there  will  then  be 
those  qualities  and  accomplishments  remain- 
ing, which  cannot  fail  to  command  great  re- 
gard, esteem,  and  affection. 

VARIETIES. 

But — shall  we  wear  these  glories  for  a  day, 
Or  shall  they  last,  and  we  rejoice  in  them? 
While  there  is  hope,  do  not  distrust  the  gods, 
But  wait,  at  least,  til!  Cesar's  near  approach, 
Force  us  to  yield.    Twill  never  be  too  late — 
To  sue  for  chains,  and  own  a  conqueror. 

In  faith,  and  hope,  the  world  will  disagree, 
But  all  mankind's  concern — is  charity. 
'Tis  education — forms  the  common  mind, 
Just  as  the  twig  is  bent,  the  tree's  inclined. 
The  mind,  that  would  be  happy,  must  be  great; 
Great  in  its  wishes,  great  in  its  surveys; 
Extended  views,  a  narrow  mind  extend. 


138 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


386.  As  so  much  depends  upon  the  proper 
movement  of  the  voice,  through  the  different 
notes  of  the  scale,  and  as  our  primary  in- 
struction in  reading  is  often  diametrically  op- 
posed to  what  is  natural,  it  is  deemed  neces- 
sary to  be  more  explicit  in  directions,  as  well 
as  in  examples.  Imitate,  with  the  voice,  ac- 
companied by  corresponding  motions  of  the 
hand,  the  gentle  undulations  of  the  waters, 
when  the  waves  run  moderately  high ;  let- 
ting the  movement  of  your  voice  resemble 
that  of  a  small  boat.  Observe  the  various 
movements  of  different  kinds  of  birds  through 
the  air,  some  bobbing  up  and  down,  others 
moving  more  gracefully ;  some  flapping  their 
wings,  others  sailing,  soaring :  but  the  move- 
ments of  the  voice  are  infinitely  more  vari- 
ous than  all  other  external  motions;  for  it 
contains  them  all. 

THE   EIGHT   NOTES   OF   THE  SCALE. 


6.  cries,  and 

5.    from  the      the        nature       in  our     es  live 

4.  But         tomb    voice  of  ash-         their  won- 


Blessed — vre  sometimes  are',  and  I  am  now 
Happy  in  quiet  feelings  ;  for  the  tones — 
Of  a  pleasant  company  of  friends — 
Were  in  my  ear,  just  now,  and  gentler  thoughts 
From  spirits,  whose  high  character  I  know ; 
And  I  retain  their  influence,  as  the  air — 
Retains  the  softness — of  departed  day. 
There  is  a  spell — in  every  flower, 

A  sweetness — in  each  spray, 
And  every  simple  bird — has  power — 

To  please  us — with  its  lay. 
And  there  is  music — on  the  breeze, 

That  sports  along  the  glade, 
And  crystal  dew-drops — on  the  trees, 

The  gems — by  fancy  made. 
O,  there  is  joy — and  happiness, 

In  every  thing  I  see, 
Which  bids  my  soul  rise  up — and  bless 
The  God,  that  blesses  me. 
Method.    In  speaking  extempore,  or  in 
writing,  method,  or  the  proper  arrangement 
of  the  thoughts,  is  of  the  first  importance ; 
to  attain  which,  you  muster,  in  your  mind, 
the  precise   object  you  have  in  view,  and 
never  lose  sight  of  it ;  then,  determine  the 
grand  divisions;  which  should  be  natural, 
and  distinct ;  not  an  unnecessary  thought, 
or  illustration  —  should  be  admitted:   and 
even  in  the  amplification  of  the  subject,  eve- 
ry part  should  have  its  proper  place,  and  all 
— present  a  whole. 

Anecdote.  Mr.  Summerfield.  It  is  said, 
of  the  late  Mr.  Summerfield,  that  being  asked 
by  a  bishop,  where  he  was  born,  he  replied, 
"  I  was  born  in  England,  and  bom  again  in 
Ireland."  "  What  do  you  mean  ?"  inquired 
the  bishop.  "  Art  thou  a  master  in  Israel,  and 
knowest  not  these  things'!"  was  the  reply. 


Laconics.  1.  The  antidote,  to  the  baneful  in- 
fluence of  flattery  is,  for  every  one  to  examine 
himself,  and  truly  estimate  his  own  qualities,  and 
character.  2.  Let  us  make  ourselves  steadfast  in 
what  is  certainly  true,  and  we  shall  be  able  to 
answer  objections,  or  reject  them  as  unworthy  of  an 
answer.  3.  Argument — cannot  disprove  fact;  no 
two  opposing  fads  can  be  produced;  all  objec- 
tions to  a  fact  must  therefore  be  negative.  4.  Ed- 
ucation— includes  all  the  influences,  that  serve  to 
unfold  the  faculties, — and  determine  the  char- 
acter;  thus  involving  the  mental,  and  physical.  5. 
To  render  good  for  aril,  is  God-like ;  to  render 
good  for  good,  is  /wan-like ;  to  render  evil  for  evil,  is 
beasl-Yike ;  to  render  evil  for  good — is  devil-like. 

Varieties.  Has  a  wise  and  good  God — 
furnished  us  with  desires,  which  have  no  cor- 
respondent objects,  and  raised  expectations 
in  our  breasts,  with  no  other  view  but  to  dis- 
appoint themT  Are  we  to  be  forever  in 
search  of  happiness,  without  arriving  at  it, 
either  in  this  world  or  in  the  next  ?  Are  we 
formed  with  a  passionate  longing  for  immor- 
tality, and  yet  destined  to  perish,  after  this 
short  period  of  existence  ?  Are  we  prompt- 
ed to  the  noblest  actions,  and  supported 
through  life,  under  the  severest  hardships 
and  most  delicate  temptations,  by  the  hopes 
of  a  reward,  which  is  visionary  and  chimeri- 
cal,— by  the  expectation  of  praises,  of  which 
it  is  utterly  impossible  for  us,  ever  to  have 
the  least  knowledge  or  enjoyment  ? 

Effects   of  Knowledge.      The    more 

widely  knowledge  is  spread,  the  more  will 
they  be  prized,  whose  happy  lot  it  is — to  ex- 
tend its  bounds,  by  discovering  new  truths, 
to  multiply  its  uses — by  inventing  new  modes 
of  applying  it  in  practice.  Real  knowledge 
— never  prompted  either  turbulence,  or  un- 
belief; but  its  p)-ogress  is  the  forerunner  of 
liberality  and  enlightened  toleration.  Who- 
so dreads  these,  let  him  tremble ;  for  he  may 
be  well  assured,  that  their  day  is  at  length 
come,  and  must  put  to  sudden  flight  the  evil 
spirits  of  tyranny  and  persecution,  which 
haunted  the  long  night,  now  gone  down  the 
sky. 

VARIETIES. 

Soft  peace  she  brings  wherever  she  arrives; 
She  builds  our  quiet,  as  she  forms  our  lives; 
Lays  the  rough  path  of  peevish  nature  even, 
And  opens,  in  each  breast,  a  little  heaven 
Man— is  the  rugged  lofty  pine, 

That  frowns  o'er  many  a  ivave-beal  shore  ; 
Woman's  the  slender — graceful  vine, 
Whose  curling  tendrils — round  it  twine, 

And  deck  its  rough  bark — sweetly  o'er. 
Teach  me  to  soothe  the  helpless  orphan's  grief, 

With  lively  oid — the  widow's  woes  assuage ; 
To  misery's  moving  cries — to  yield  relief, 

And  be  the  sure  resource  of  drooping  age. 
Our  doubts — are  traitors, 
And  make  us  lose  the  good — we  oft  might  win, 
By  fearing  to  attempt. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


139 


387.  Cadence — means  a  descent,  or  full 
of  the  voice :  here,  it  means  the  proper  man- 
ner of  closing  a  sentence.  In  the  preceding 
examples,  the  pupil  sees  how  it  is  made. 
The  best  cadence,  that  which  rests  most 
pleasantly  on  the  ear,  is  the  fall  of  a  triad ; 
i.  e.  a  regular  gradation  of  three  notes  from 
the  prevalent  pitch  of  voice ;  which  is  gen- 
erally the  fourth  or  fifth  :  tho'  different  voices 
are  keyed  on  different  pitches:  hence,  each 
must  be  governed  by  his  own  peculiarities 
in  this  respect.  Beware  of  confounding  ca- 
dence with  inflections;  and  never  end  a  sen- 
tence with  a.  feeble  and  depressed  utterance. 
Tho'  nature — weigh  our  talents,  and  dispense, 

To  every  man,  his  modicum  of  sense, 

Yet — much — depends,  as  in  the  tiller's  toil, 

On  culture,  and  the  sowing  of  the  soil. 

The  brave  man — is  not  he,  who  feels  no  fear, 

For  that — were  stupid — and  irrational; — 

But  he,  whose  noble  soul  his  fear  subdues,        [from. 

And  bravely  dares  the  danger,  which  he  shrinks 

He  holds  no  parly  with  unmanly/ears/ 

Where  duty  bids,  he  confidently  steers; 

Faces  a  thousand  dangers  at  her  call, 

And  trusting  in  his  God,  surmounts  them  all. 

What  is  life? 
Tis  not  to  stalk  about,  and  draw  in  fresh  air, 
From  time  to  time,  or  gaze  upon  the  sun; 
"Tis  to  be  FREE. 

388.  Word -Painting.  There  is  noth- 
ing in  any  of  the  other  fine  arts,  but  what  is 
involved  in  oratory.  The  letters  are  analo- 
gous to  uncompounded  faints;  words — to 
paints  prepared  for  use;  and,  when  arranged 
into  appropriate  and  significant  sentences, 
they  form  pictures  of  the  ideas  on  the  can- 
vas of  the  imagination:  hence,  composition, 
whether  written  or  spoken,  is  like  a  picture, 
exhibiting  a  great  variety  of  features,  not 
only  with  prominence,  but  with  degrees  of 
prominence :  to  do  which,  the  painter, 
speaker,  or  writer,  applies  shades  of  the 
same  color  to  features  of  the  same  class,  and 
opposing  colors  to  those  of  different  classes. 

Government.  The  ordinary  division  of 
governments  into  republican,  monarchical, 
and  despotic,  appears  essentially  erroneous; 
for  there  are  but  two  kinds  of  government, 
good  and  bad :  governments  are  national 
and  special.  The  essence  of  the  former — 
consists  in  the  will  of  the  nation  constitu- 
tionally expressed ;  that  of  the  latter,  where 
there  are  other  sources  of  power,  or  right, 
than  the  will  of  the  nation. 

Anecdote.  Punctual  Hearer.  A  wo- 
man, who  always  used  to  attend  public  wor- 
ship with  great  punctuality,  and  took  care 
to  be  always  in  time,  was  asked  how  it  was 
— she  could  always  come  so  early;  she  an- 
swered very  wisely,  "that  it  was  part  of 
her  religion — not  to  disturb  the  religion  of 
others.'1'' 

I  hate  to  see  a  scholar  gape, 
And  yawn  upon  his  seat, 
Or  lay  his  head  upon  his  desk, 
As  if  almost  asleep. 


Laconics.  1.  No  change  in  external  appear- 
ance, can  alter  that,  which  is  radically  wrong.  2. 
.Seize  an  opportunity,  when  it  presents  itself;  if 
once  lost,  it  may  never  be  regained.  3.  Vicious 
in  n  endeavor  to  ianpose  on  the  world,  by  assum- 
ing a  semblance  of  virtue,  to  conceal  their  bad 
habits,  and  evil  propensities.  4.  Beware  of  self- 
love,  for  it  hardens  the  heart,  and  shuts  the  mind  to 
all  thai  is  good  and  true.  5.  The  excessive  pleas- 
ure one  feels — in  talking  of  himself ',  ought  to  make 
him  apprehensive,  that  he  affords  little  to  his  au- 
ditor. 6.  In  our  intercourse  with  the  world,  we 
should  often  ask  ourselves  this  question — How 
would  /  like  to  be  treated  thus?  7.  In  all  ages 
and  countries,  unprincipled  men  may  be  found, 
who  will  slander  the  most  uptight  character,  and 
find  others  as  base  as  themselves,  to  join  in  the  pro- 
pagation of  Ihelr  falsehoods . 

Confinement  of  Debtors.  The  prosper- 
ity of  a  people  is  proportionate  to  the  num- 
ber of  hands  and  minds  usefully  employed. 
To  the  community,  sedition  is  a  fever,  cor- 
ruption is  a  gangrene,  and  idleness  is  an 
atrophy.  Whatever  body,  and  whatever  so- 
ciety— wastes  more  than  it  acquires,  must 
gradually  decay:  and  every  being,  that  con- 
tinues to  be  fed,  and  ceases  to  labor,  takes 
away  something  from  the  public  stock.  The 
confinement ,  therefore,  of  any  man  in  the 
sloth  and  darkness  of  a  prison,  is  a  loss  to 
the  nation,  and  no  gain  to  the  creditor. 
For,  of  the  multitudes ,  who  are  pining  in 
those  cells  of  misery,  a  very  small  part  is 
suspected  of  any  fraudulent  act,  by  which 
they  retain,  what  belongs  to  others.  The 
rest  are  imprisoned  by  the  wantonness  of 
pride,  the  malignity  of  revenge,  or  the  acri- 
mony of  disappointed  expectation. 

VARIETIES. 

'Tis  slander: 
Whose  edge — is  sharper  than  the  sword,  whose  tongue 
Outvenoms  all  the  worms  of  Nile;  whose  breath — 
Rides  on  the  sporting-  winds,  and  doth  belie 
All  corners  of  the  world :  kin^s,  queens,  and  states, 
Maids  and  matrons,  the  secrets  of  the  grave — 
This  viperous  slander  enters. 
Mercy  to  him  that  shows  it,  is  the  rule, 
And  righteous  limitation  of  its  act, 
By  which  heaven  moves,  in  pardoning  guilty  man. 
And  he,  that  shows  none,  (being  ripe  in  years, 
And  conscious — of  the  outrage  he  commits,) 
Shall  seek  it,  and  not  find  it,  in  his  turn. 
His  words — are  bonds;  his  oaths — are  oracles; 
His  lave — sincere  ;  his  thoughts — immaculate  ; 
His  tears— pure  messengers,  sent  from  his  heart : 
His  heart — is  as  far  from  fraud, — as  heaven — from  earth. 

Be  earnest! — why  shouldst  thou  for  custom's  sake, 
Lay  a  cold  hand  upon  thy  heart's  warm  pulse. 

And  crush  those  feelings  back,  which,  uttered, make 
Links  in  the  chain  of  love?   Why  thus  convulse 

A  soul,  that  overflows  with  sympathy 

For  kindred  souls,  when  thou  art  called  to  be 
The  Heart's  Apostle,  loving,  pure,  and  true? 

The  smooth  hypocrisies,  the  polished  lies, 

The  cold  dead  forms — and  hollow  mockeries 
Current  among  the  many,  by  the  few, 

Who  know  their  manhood,  should  be  held  in  scorn ! 
Speak  freely  thy  free  thought — and  other  souls 
To  thine  shall  answer — as  from  living  coals 

Together  kindled,  light  and  heat  are  born! 


140 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


389.  Dynamics.  This,  in  mechanical  phi- 
losophy, means  the  science  of  moving-powers ; 
in  elocution  and  singing,  it  relates  to  the 
force,  loudness,  harshness,  strength,  rough- 
ness, softness,  swell,  diminish,  smoothness, 
abruptness,  gentleness  of  voice:  that  is,  its 
qualities,  which  are  as  various  as  those  of  the 
human  mind ;  of  wiiich,  indeed,  they  are  the 
representatives.  Observe — that  the  names  of 
these  qualities,  when  spoken  naturally,  ex- 
press, or  echo,  their  natures.  The  Loud, 
Rough,  Soft,  Smooth,  Harsh,  Forcible,  Full, 
Strong,  Tremulous,  Slender,  &c.  all  of  which 
are  comprehended  in  force,  pitch,  time,  quan- 
tity, and  abruptness  of  voice. 

390.  Let  the  following  examples  be  ren- 
dered perfectly  familiar — the  feelings,  tho'ts, 
words  and  appropriate  voice:  nothing,  how- 
ever, can  be  done,  as  it  should  be,  without 
having  the  most  important  examples  memo- 
rized, here  and  elsewhere.  (Loud)  "  But 
when  loud  surges — lash  the  sounding  shore ; 
(Rough)  The  hoarse  rough  voice,  should  like 
the  torrent  roar."  (Soft)  "  Soft  is  the  strain, 
when  Zephyr  gently  blows;  (Smooth)  And 
the  smooth  stream,  in  smoother  numbers 
flows."  (Harsh)  "On  a  sudden,  open  fly, 
with  impetuous  recoil  and  jarring  sound,  the 
infernal  doors,  and  on  their  hinges  grate  harsh 
thunder.''''  (Soft)  "  Heaven  opened  wide 
her  ever-during  gates  (harmonious  sound) 
on  golden  hinges  turning."  (Soft)  "How 
charming — is  divine  philosophy  .'  (Harsh) 
Not  harsh,  and  rugged,  as  dull  fools  sup- 
pose. (Soft)  But  musical — as  is  Apollo's 
lute."  (Harsh,  Strong  and  Forcible.)  "Blow 
wind,  and  crack'  your  cheeks !  rage !  blow 
your  cataracts,  and  hurricane  spout,  till  you 
have  drenched  our  steeples.  You  sulphuri- 
ous  and  thought-executing  fires,  vaunt  couri- 
ers to  oafe-cleaving  thunderbolts  ;  and  thou, 
all  shaking  thunder,  strike  flat  the  thick  ro- 
tundity of  the  world." 

(Soft  and  Smooth.) 
How  sweet  the  moon-light  sleeps  upon  this  batik; 
Here  will  we  sit,  and  let  the  sounds  of  music, 
Creep  in  our  ears  ;  soft  stillness,  and  the  night, 
Become  the  touches  of  sweet  harmony. 
(Quick  and  Joyous.) 
Let  the  merry  bells  ring  round, 
And  the  jocund  rebeck  sound, 
To  many  a  youth — and  many  a  maid, 
Dancing — in  the  checkered  shade. 
A  want  of  occupation — is  not  rest, 
A  mind  quite  vacant — is  a  mind  distressed. 
As  rolls  the  ocean's  changing  tide, 

So — human  feelings — ebb— and  flow  : — 
And  who  could  in  a  breast,  confide, 

Where  stormy  passions — ever  glow  ! 
Remote  from  cities — lived  a  swain, 
Unvexed — with  all  the  cares  of  gain; 
His  head — was  silvered  o'er  with  aire, 
And  long  experience — made  him  sage. 


Maxims.    1.  The  credit  that  i3  got  by  a  lit. 

— only  lasts  till  the  truth  comes  out.  2.  Zeal, 
mixed  with  love,  is  harmless — as  the  dove.  3. 
A  covetous  man  is,  as  he  always  fancies,  in  tcant. 
4.  Hypocrites — first  cheat  the  world,  and  at  last, 
themselves.  5.  The  borrower  is  slave  to  the  lender. 
and  the  security — to  both.  6.  Some  are  too  stiff 
to  bend,  and  too  old  to  mend.  7.  Truth  ha3  al- 
ways a  sure  foundation.  8.  He,  who  draws 
others  into  evil  courses — is  the  devil's  agent.  9. 
To  do  good,  is  the  right  way  to  find  good.  10. 
A  spur  in  the  head — is  worth  two  in  the  heel.  11. 
Better  spared,  than  ill  spent.  12.  Years  teach 
more  than  books. 

Anecdote.  Love  and  Liberty.  When  an 
Armenian  prince — had  been  taken  captive 
with  his  princess,  by  Cyrus,  and  was  asked, 
what  he  would  give  to  be  restored  to  his  king- 
dom and  liberty,  he  replied :  "  As  for  my 
kingdom  and  liberty,  I  value  them  not;  but. 
if  my  blood, — would  redeem  my  princess,  I 
would  cheerfully  give  it  for  her."  When 
Cyrus  had  liberated  them  both,  the  princess 
was  asked,  what  she  thought  of  Cyrus  ?  To 
which  she  replied,  "  I  did  not  observe  him  , 
my  whole  attention  was  fixed  upon  the  gene- 
rous man,  who  would  have  purchased  my 
liberty  with  his  life.'" 

Prejudice — may  be  considered  as  a  con- 
tinual false  medium  of  viewing  things ;  for 
prejudiced  persons — not  only  never  speak 
well,  but  also,  never  think  well,  of  those, 
whom  they  dislike,  and  the  whole  character 
and  conduct  is  considered — with  an  eye  to 
that  particular  thing  which  offends  them. 

Varieties.  1.  Every  thing  that  is  an  ol- 
ject  of  taste,  sculpture,  painting,  architecture , 
gardening,  husbandry,  poetry,  and  music — 
come  within  the  scope  of  the  orator.  2.  In  a 
government,  maintained  by  the  arm  of  pow- 
er, there  is  no  certainty  of  duration ;  but  one 
cemented  by  mutual  kindness,  all  the  best 
feelings  of  the  heart  are  enlisted  in  its  sup- 
port. 3.  Who  was  the  greater  tyrant,  Diony- 
sius  or  the  bloody  Mary  ?  4.  Beauty,  unac- 
companied by  virtue,  is  like  a  flower,  with- 
out  perfume;  its  brilliancy  may  remain,  but 
its  sweetness  is  gone ;  all  that  was  predoui 
in  it,  has  evaporated.  5.  We  might  as  w<  li 
throw  oil  on  a  burning-  house  to  put  out  the 
fire,  as  to  take  ardent  spirits  into  the  stomach 
to  lessen  the  effects  of  a  hot  sun,  or  severe 
exercise.  6.  The  understanding  must  be 
elevated  above  the  will,  to  control  its  desires; 
but  it  must  be  enlightened  by  the  truth,  that 
it  may  not  err. 

The  pathway — to  the  grave — may  be  the  same, 

And  the  proud  man — shall  tread  it, — and  the  lota, 

With  his  bowed  head,  shall  bear  him  company. 

But  the  tempei — of  the  invisible  mind, 

The  god-tike — and  undying  intellect, 

These  are  distinctions,  that  will  live  in  heaven, 

When  time, — is  a  forgotten  circumstance. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


141 


391.  Dynamics  Continued.  These  con- 
trasts produce  great  effects,  when  properly 
exhibited,  both  in  elocution  and  music.  The 
rushing  loud,  indicates  drew),  alarm,  warn- 
ing, &c. ;  the  soft,  their  opposiles:  the  tend- 
ency of  indistinctness  is,  to  remove  objects  to 
a  distance,  throwing  them  into  the  back- 
ground of  the  picture;  and  of  full/its*,  to 
bring  them  into  the  fore-ground,  making 
them  very  prominent ;  thus  —  the  volyph- 
onist  deceives,  or  imposes  upon  the  ear,  mak- 
ing his  sounds  correspond  to  those  he  would 
represent,  near  by,  and  at  a  distance. 

393.  Fohciblk.  Now  storming/iir;/ rose, 
and  clamor;  such  as  heard  in  heaven,  till 
now,  was  never:  arms  on  armor,  clashing, 
brayed  horrible  discord,-  and  the  maddening 
wheels  of  brazen  chariots  raged.  Fit  11:  high 
on  a  throne — of  royal  state,  which  far  out- 
«hone  the  wealth  of  Orruus,  and  of  Inde ,- 
or  where  the  gorgeous  East,  with  richest 
hand,  showers  on  her  kings  barbaric,  pearl 
.■and  gold,  Satan,  exalted,  sat.  Strong.- 
aim,  the  Almighty  Power  hurled  headlong, 
flaming  from  the  ethereal  skies  with  hideous 
ruin  and  combustion,  down  to  bottomless 
perdition  —  there  to  dwell  in  adamantine 
chains,  and  penal  fire, — who  durst  defy  the 
Omnipotent  to  arms. 

So  millions — are  srait — with  the  glare  of  a  toy : 
They  grasp  at  a  pebble— and  call  it— a  gem, 
And  tinsel— is  gold,  (if  it  glitters,)  to  them; 
Hence,  dazzled  with  beauty,  the  lover  is  smit, 
The  hero — with  honor,  the  poet — with  wit; 
The  fop — with  his  feather,  his  snuff-box  and  cane, 
The  nymph  with  her  novel,  the  merchant  with  gain: 
Each  finical  priest,  and  polite  pulpiteer, 
Who  dazzles  the  fancy,  and  tickles  the  ear, 
With  exquisite  tropes,  and  musical  style, 
As  gay  as  a  tulip — as  polished  as  oil, 
Sell  truth — at  the  shrine  of  polite  eloquence, 
To  please  the  soft  taste,  and  allure  the  gay  sense. 

Miscellaneous.  1 .  Fair  sir,  you  spit  on 
me — on  Wednesday  last ;  you  spu?-ned  me — 
such  n  day;  another  time — you  called  me 
dog ;  and  for  these  courtesies,  I'll  lend  thee 
thus  much  moneys.  2.  I  stand — in  the  pre- 
sence— of  Almighty  God,  and  of  the  world; 
and  I  declare  to  you,  that  if  you  lose  this 
charter,  never,  no  never — will  you  get  an- 
other. We  are  now,  perhaps,  arrived  at  the 
twr/ing  point.  Here,  even  here,  we  stand — 
on  the  brink  of  fate  !  Pause!  for  heaven's 
sake,  pause.  3.  Can  you  raise  the  dead? 
Pursue  and  overtake  the  wings  of  time?  And 
can  you  bring  about  again,  the  hours,  the 
dats,  the  YEARS,  that  made  me  happy? 
4.  But  grant — that  others  can,  with  equal 
glory,  look  down  on  pleasure,  and  the  bait  of 
sense,  where — shall  we  find  a  man,  that  bears 
afflictions,  great  and  majestic  in  his  ills,  like 
Cafo  ? 

Oh  then,  how  blind — to  all  that  truth  requires, 

Who  think  hfreedom,  where  apart — aspire. 


Maxims.  1.  All  is  soon  ready  in  wi  orderly 
house.  2.  Bacchus  has  drowned  more  than  Nep- 
tune. 3.  Despair — has  ruined  some,  but  presump- 
tion— multitudes.  4.  Flattery — sits  in  the  parlor, 
while  plain-dealing  is  kicked  out  of  doors.  5.  He 
is  not  drunk  fur  nothing,  who  pays  his  reckoyxing 
with  his  reason.  0.  If  the  world  knew  what  passes 
in  my  mind,  what  would  it  think  of  me.  7.  Give 
neither  counsel  nor  salt,  till  you  are  asked  for  it.  8. 
Close  not  a  letter — without  reading  it,  nor  drink 
water — without  seeing  it.  9.  A  fool,  and  his  money, 
are  soon  parted.  10.  Kfeio  words — will  not  make 
you  ivise,  many  will  not. 

Anecdote.  Charity  Sermon.  Dean  Swift 
— was  requested  to  preach  a  charity  sermon ; 
but  was  cautioned  about  having  it  too  long: 
lie  replied,  that  they  should  have  nothing  to 
fear  on  that  score.  He  chose  for  his  text 
these  words — "  He  that  hath  pit y  on  the  poor, 
lendeth  unto  the  Lord;  and  that  which  he 
hath  given — will  he  pay  him  again."  The 
Dean,  after  looking  around,  and  repeating 
his  text  in  a  still  more  emphatic  manner, 
added — "  My  beloved  friends,  you  hear  the 
terms  of  the  loan ,-  and  now,  if  you  like  the 
security, — down  with  your  dust"  The  re- 
sult was,  as  might  be  expected, — a  very  large 
collection. 

Precept  and  Example.  Example  — 
works  more  cures  than  precept;  for  words, 
without  practice,  are  but  councils  without  ef- 
fect. When  we  do  as  we  say,  it  is  a  confir- 
mation of  the  rule ;  but  when  our  lives  and 
doctrines  do  not  agree,  it  looks  as  if  the  lesson 
were  either  too  hard  for  us,  or  the  advice  not 
worth  following.  If  a  priest — design  to  edify 
by  his  sermons,  concerning  the  punishment 
of  the  other  world,  let  him  renounce  his  lust, 
pride,  avarice,  and  contentiousness ;  for  who- 
ever would  make  another  believe  a  danger, 
mast  first  show  that  he  is  apprehensive  of  it 
himself. 

Varieties.  1.  The  first  book  read,  and 
the  last  one  laid  aside,  in  the  child's  library, 
is  the  mother:  every  look,  word,  tone,  and 
gesture,  nay,  even  dress  itself — makes  an 
everlasting  impression.  2.  One  who  is  con- 
scious of  qualities,  deserving  of  resj>ecf,  and 
attention,  is  seldom  solicitous  about  them; 
but  a  contemptible  spirit — wishes  to  hide  it- 
self from  its  own  view,  and  that  of  others,  by 
show,  bluster  and  arrogant  pretensions.  3. 
The  blood  of  a  coward,  would  stain  the  char- 
acter of  an  honorable  man;  hence,  when  we 
chastise  such  wretches,  we  should  do  it  witli 
the  utmost  calmness  of  temper.  4.  Cultivate 
the  habit — of  directing  the  mind,  intently,  to 
whatever  is  presented  to  it;  this — is  the  foun- 
dation of  a  sound  intellectual  character.  5. 
We  are  too  apt,  when  a  jest  is  turned  upon 
ourselves,  to  think  that  insufferable,  in  an- 
other, which  we  looked  upon  as  very  pretty 
and  facetious,  when  the  humor  was  our  own. 
Never  purchase  friendship  by  gifts. 


142 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


393.  Words — are  paints,  the  voice  —  the 
brash,  the  mind — the  painter,-  but  science, 
practice,  genius,  taste,  judgment  and  emo- 
tion— are  necessary — in  order  to  paint  -welt : 
and  there  is  as  much  difference  between  a 
good  and  bad  reader,  as  there  is  between  a 
good  painter  and  a  mere  dauber.  What 
gives  expression  to  painting!  Emphasis. 
We  look  upon  some  pictures  and  remark, 
"  that  is  a  strong  outline  ,-"  "  a  very  express- 
ive countenance:"  this  is  emphasis:  again, 
wf  look  upon  others,  and  there  is  a  softness, 
d&Ocacy,  and  tenderness,  that  melts  the  soul, 
as  she  contemplates  them ;  this  is  emotion. 

394.  Throw  the  following  lines  on  the 
canvas  of  your  imagination;  i.  e.  picture 
them  out  there. 

BEAUTY,   WIT   AND   GOLD. 

In  her  boiver — a  widow  dwelt ; 

At  her  feet — three  suitors  knelt: 

Each — adored  the  widow  much, 

Each — essayed  her  heart  to  touch  ; 

One — had  wit,  and  one — had  gold, 

And  one — was  cast  in  beauty's  mould  ; 

Guess — which  was  it — won  the  prize, 

Purse,  or  tongue,  or  handsome  eyes? 

First,  appeared  the  handsome  m&n, 

Proudly  peeping  o'er  her  fan; 

Red  his  lips,  and  while  his  skin; 

Could  such  beauty — fail  to  win? 

Then— stepped  forth — the  man  of  gold, 

Cash  he  counted,  coin  he  told, 

Wealth — the  burden  of  his  tale; 

Could  such  golden  projects  fail? 

Then,  the  man  of  ivit,  and  se?ise, 

Moved  her — with  his  eloquence; 

Now,  she  heard  him — with  a  sigh; 

Now — she  blushed,  she  knew  not  why  : 

Then,  she  smiled — to  hear  him  speak, 

Then,  the  tear — was  on  her  cheek: 

Beauty,  vanish!  gold,  depart! 

Wit,  has  won  the  widow's  heart. 
In  Politeness,  as  in  everything  else,  con- 
nected with  the  formation  of  character,  we 
are  too  apt  to  begin  on  the  outside,  instead  of 
the  inside:  instead  of  beginning  with  the 
heart,  and  trusting  to  that  to  form  the  man- 
ners, many  begin  with  the  manners,  and 
leave  the  heart  to  chance  and  influences. 
The  golden  rule — contains  the  very  life  and 
soul  of  politeness :  "  Do  unto  others — as  you 
would  they  should  do  unto  you.'''  Unless 
children  and  youth  are  taught — by  precept 
and  example,  to  abhor  what  is  selfish,  and 
prefer  another's  pleasure  and  comfort  to  their 
oivn,  their  politeness  will  be  entirely  artifi- 
cial, and  used  only  when  interest  and  policy 
dictate.  True  politeness — is  perfect  freedom 
and  ease,  treating  others — just  as  you  love  to 
be  treated.  Nature — is  always  graceful :  af- 
fectation,with  all.  her  art,  can  never  produce 
anything  half  so  pleasing.  The  very  perfec- 
tion of  elegance — is  to  imitate  nature  ;  how 
much  better — to  have  the  reality,  than  the 


imitation  !  Anxiety  about  the  opinions  of 
others — fetters  the  freedom  of  nature,  and 
tends  to  awkwardness ;  all  would  appear 
well,  if  they  never  tried  to  assume — what 
they  do  not  possess.  Every  one  is  respectable 
and  pleasing,  so  long  as  he  or  she,  is  perfectly 
natural  and  truthful,  and  speaks  and  acts 
from  the  impulses  of  an  honest  and  affection- 
ate heart,  without  any  anxiety  as  to  what 
others  think. 

Laconics.  1.  Modesty — in  your  discourse, 
will  give  a  lustre— to  truth, — and  excuse — to  jour 
errors.  '2.  Some — are  silent,  for  want  of  matter,  or 
assurance;  others  —  are  talkative,  for  want  of 
sense.  3.  To  judge  of  men — by  their  actions,  one 
would  suppose  that  a  great  proportion  was  mad, 
and  that  the  world — was  one  immense  mad-house. 
4.  Prodigals — are  rich,  for  a  moment — economists, 
forever.  5.  To  do  unto  others,  as  we  would  they 
should  do  to  us,  is  a  golden  maxim,  that  cannot  be 
too  deeply  impressed  on  our  minds.  6.  Continue 
to  add  a  little — to  what  was  originally  a  little,  and 
you  will  make  it  a  great  deal.  7.  The  value — of 
sound,  correct  principles,  early  implanted  in  the 
human  mind,  is  incalculable. 

Those  who  are  talentless,  themselves,  are 
the  first  to  talk  about  the  conceit  of  others  ; 
for  mediocrity  —  bears  but  one  flowei — 
ENVY. 

Anecdote.  Too  Hard.  About  one  hun- 
dred years  ago,  Mahogany — was  introduced 
in  England  as  ballast  for  a  ship,  that  sailed 
from  the  West  Indies  ;  and  one  Dr.  Gibbons 
wished  some  furniture  made  of  it :  but  the 
workmen,  finding  it  too  hard  for  their  tools, 
laid  it  aside.  Another  effort  was  made ;  but 
the  cabinet-maker  said  it  was  too  hard  for  his 
tools.  The  Doctor  told  him,  he  must  get 
stronger  tools  then :  he  did  so,  and  his  effort 
was  crowned  with  success.  Remember  this, 
ye  who  think  the  subject  of  elocution,  as  here 
treated,  too  difficult :  and  if  you  cannot  find 
a  way,  make  one.    Press  mi ! 

Varieties.  1 .  A  good  reader  may  become 
a  good  speaker, singer ;  painter  and  sculptor: 
for  there  is  nothing  in  any  of  these  arts,  that 
may  not  be  seen  in  true  delivery.  2.  Old 
Parr,  who  died  at  the  advanced  age  of  152, 
gave  this  advice  to  his  friends;  "Keep  your 
head  cool  by  temperance,  your  feet  warm  by 
exercise:  rise  early,  and  go  early  to  bed; 
and  if  you  are  inclined  to  grow  fat,  keep 
your  eyes  open,  and  your  mouth  shut."  Are 
not  these  excellent  life-pills?  3.  As  the  lark 
— sinsrs  at  the  dawn  of  day,  and  the  nightin- 
gale at  even,  so,  should  we  show  forth  the 
loving  kindness  of  the  Lord — every  morn- 
ing, and  his  faithfulness — every  night.  4. 
Is  not  the  science  of  salvation — the  greatest 
Of  all  the  sciences? 
Without  a  star,  or  angel — for  their  guide, 
Who  worship  God,  shall  find  him  :  humble  Love, 
(And  not  proud  Reason,)  keeps  the  door  of  heaven  : 
Love — finds  admission,  where  Science— fails. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


143 


395.  Modulation — signifies  the  accom- 
modation of  the  voice,  (in  its  diversifications 
of  all  these  principles,)  to  every  variety  and 
shade  of  thought  and  feeling.  The  upper 
pitches  of  voice,  we  know,  are  used  in  calling 
persons  at  a  distance,  for  impassioned  em- 
phasis of  certain  kinds,  and  for  very  earnest 
arguments ;  the  middle  pitches — for  general 
conversation,  and  easy  familiar  speaking,  of 
a  descriptive  and  didactic  character;  and  the 
lower  ones,  for  cadences,  and  the  exhibition 
of  emphasis  in  grave  and  solemn  reading  and 
speaking. 

396.  Who — can  describe,  who  delineate — 
the  cheering,  the  enlivening  ray  ?  who — the 
looks  of  love?  who — the  soft  benignant  vi- 
brations of  the  benevolent  eye?  who — the 
twilight,  the  day  of  hope  ?  who — the  internal 
efforts  of  the  mind,  wrapt  in  gentleness  and 
humility,  to  effect  good,  to  diminish  evil,  and 
increase  present  and  eternal  happiness  1  who 
— air  the  secret  impulses  and  powers,  collect- 
ed in  the  aspect  of  the  defender,  or  energy  of 
truth?  of  the  bold  friend,  or  subtle  foe— of 
wisdom?  who  —  the  poet's  eye,  in  a  fine 
phrenzy  rolling,  glancing  from  heaven — to 
earth,  from  earth — to  heaven,  while  imagina- 
tion—  bodies  forth  the  form  of  things  un- 
known. 

Notes.  The  pitch  of  the  voice  is  exceedingly  important  in 
every  branch  of  our  subject,  and  particularly,  in  the  higher  parts  ; 
and  thi* — anion*  the  rest.  You  must  not  often  raise  your  voice  to 
the  eighth  note  ;  for  it  will  be  harsh  and  unpleasant  to  the  ear,  and 
very  apt  to  break :  nor  drop  it  to  the  first  note  ;  for  then  your  ar- 
ticulation will  be  difficult  and  indistinct,  and  you  cannot  impart 
any  life  and  spirit  to  your  manner  and  matter;  as  there  is  little  or 
no  compass  below  this  pitch:  both  these  extremes  must  be  care- 
ful!) avoided. 

Patrick  Henry's  Treason.  When  this 
worthy  patri/it,  (who  gave  the  first  impu Ise  to 
the  ball  of  the  revolution,)  introduced  his  ce- 
lebrated resolution  on  the  stump  act,  in  the 
Virginia  House  of  Burgesses,  in  1765,  as  he 
descanted  on  the  tyranny  of  that  obnoxious 
act,  exclaimed  —  "Cesar — had  his  Brutus; 
Charles  the  Fhst,  his  Cromwell;  and  George 
the  Third'' — "  Treason!"  cried  the  speaker ; 
"  treason  ;  treason  ;  treason  ;"  re-echoed 
from  every  part  of  the  house.  It  was  one  of 
those  frying  moments,  which  are  decisive  of 
character ;  but  Henry  faltered  not  for  an  in- 
stant ;  and  rising  to  a  loftier  attitude,  and 
fixing  on  the  speaker — an  eye,  flashing  with 
fire,  continued  —  "may  profit — by  these 
example*:  if  this  be  treason,  make  the  most 
of  it." 

The  hills, 
Rock-ribb'd — and  ancient  as  the  sun;  the  vales — 
Stretching  in  pensive  quietness — between; 
The  venerable  woods ;  rivers,  that  move 
Inmajesty,  and  the  complaining  brooks,  [all, 

That  make  the  meadows  green;  and,  pour'd  round 
Old  ocean's  gray  and  melancholy  u'aste; 
Are  but  the  solemn  decorations  all — 
Of  the  great  tomb  ot  man. 


Maxims.  1.  The  follies  of  youth — are  food  for 
repentance — in  old  age.  "2.  Truth— may  languish, 
but  it  can  never  die.  3.  When  a  taut  man  hear3 
another  praised,  he  thinks  himself  injured.  4.  An- 
tiquity— is  not  always  a  mark  of  truth.  5.  That 
trial  is  not  fair — where  affection  is  judge.  6. 
Business — is  the  salt  of  life.  7.  Dependence — is  a 
poor  trade.  8.  He,  who  lives  upon  hope,  has  but 
a  slender  diet.  9.  Always  taking  out  of  the  meal 
tub,  and  never  putting  in,  soon  comes  to  the  bot- 
tom. 10.  He,  who  thinks  to  deceive  God,  deceives 
himself 

Anecdote.  An  ill  thing.  Xenophanus, 
an  old  sage,  was  far  from  letting  a  false  mo- 
desty lead  him  into  crime  and  indiscretion, 
when  he  was  upbraided,  and  called  timorous, 
because  he  would  not  venture  his  money  at 
any  of  the  games.  "I  confess,"  said  he, 
"  that  I  am  exceedingly  timorous,  for  I  dare 
not  do  an  ill  thing.' 

Education.  It  is  the  duty  of  the  instruc- 
tors of  youth  to  be  patient  with  the  dull,  and 
steady  with  the  froward, — to  encourage  the 
timid,  and  repress  the  insolent, — fully  to  em- 
ploy the  minds  of  their  pupils,  without  over- 
burdening them,  —  to  awaken  their  fear, 
without  exciting  their  dislike, — to  communi- 
cate the  stores  of  knowledge,  according  to  the 
capacity  of  the  learner,  and  to  enforce  obedi- 
ence by  the  strictness  of  discipline.  Above 
all,  it  is  their  bounden  duty,  to  be  ever  on  the 
watch,  and  to  check  the  first  beginnings  of 
vice.  For,  valuable  as  knowledge  may  be, 
virtue  is  infinitely  more  valuable;  and  worse 
than  useless  are  these  mental  accomplish- 
ments, which  are  accompanied  by  depravity 
of  heart. 

Varieties.  1.  Can  charcoal — paint  fire; 
chalk — light,  or  colors — live  and  breathe? 
2.  Tattlers — are  among  the  most  desjricable 
of  bad  things ;  yet  even  they — have  their  use; 
for  they  serve  to  check  the  licentiousness — 
of  the  tongues  of  those,  who,  without  the  fear 
of  being  called  to  account,  through  the  instru- 
mentality of  these  babbling  knaves,  would 
run  riot  in  backbiting  and  slander. 

Tis  the  mind,  that  makes  the  body  rich; 
And,  as  the  sun — breaks  the  darkest  cloud, 
So,  honor — 'peareth — in  the  meanest  habit. 
No:  let  the  eagle — ch an gehis  plume, 
The  leaf—  its  hue.  the_/?owV — its  bloom; 
But  ties — around  the  heart  were  spun, 
That  could  not,  would  not,  be  undone. 
Oh.  who — the  exquisite  delights  can  tell. 
The  joy,  which  mutual  confidence  imparts? 
Or  who — can  paint  the  charm  unspeakable, 
Which  links,  in  tender  bands .  two  faithful  heartsf 

6.  Many  things — are  easier  felt,  than  told. 

7.  It  is  no  proof  of  a  man's  understanding, 
to  be  able  to  affirm — whatever  he  pleases; 
but,  to  be  able  to  discern,  that  what  is  trtie, 
is  true,  and  that  what  is  false,  is  false — is  the 
mark  and  character  of  intelligence. 

Nature — sells  everylh'mg  for  labor. 


144 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


3i)7.  Modulation  Continued.  The 
situation  of  the  public  reader  and  speaker, 
calls  for  the  employment  of  the  most  refined 
art  in  the  management  of  his  voice :  he 
should  address  a  whole  assembly  with  as 
much  apparent  ease  and  pleasure  to  himself 
and  audience,  as  tho'  there  were  but  a  single 
person  present.  In  addressing  an  auditory, 
which  meets  for  information,  or  amuse- 
ment, or  both,  the  judicious  speaker — will 
adopt  his  ordinary  and  most  familiar  voice ; 
to  show  that  he  rises  without  bias,  or  preju- 
dice, that  he  wishes  reason,  not  passion,  should 
guide  them  all.  He  will  endeavor  to  be 
heard  by  the  most  distant  hearers,  without 
offending  the  ear  of  the  nearest  one,  by  mak- 
ing all  his  tones  audible,  distinct  and  nu- 
tural. 

Friendship!  thou  soft,  propitious  power, 

Sweet  regent  of  the  social  hour, 
•  Sublime  thy  joys,  nor  understood, 

But  by  the  virtuous,  and  the  good. 

Ambition  is,  at  a  distance, 
A  goodly  prospect,  tempting  to  the  view  ; 
The  height  delights  us.  and  the  mountain-lop 
Looks  beautiful,  because  'tis  near  to  heaven  ; 
But  we  never  think  how  Sandy's  the  foundalion;['\\. 
What  storms  will  baiter,  and  what  tempests  shake 

O  be  a  man  ;  and  let  proud  reason — tread 

In  triumph,  on  each  rebel  passion's  head. 
At  thirty,  man  suspects  himself  a  fool ; 
Knows  it  at  forty,  and  reforms  his  plan; 
At  fifty,  chides  his  infamous  delay, 
Pushes  his  prudent  purpose — to  resolve, 
In  all  the  magnanimity  of  thought. 
Resolves  and  re-resolves — then,  dies  the  same. 

39  S.  Some  tell  us,  that  when  commencing 
an  address,  the  voice  should  be  directed  to 
those  most  distant;  but  this  is  evidently 
wrong.  At  the  beginning,  the  mind  is  natu- 
rally clear  and  serene,  the  passions  unawa- 
kened ;  if  the  speaker  adopt  this  high  pitch, 
how  can  it  be  elevated,  afterwards,  agreeably 
to  those  emotions  and  sentiments,  which  re- 
quire still  higher  pitches?  To  strain  the 
voice  thus,  destroys  all  solemnity,  weight 
and  dignity,  and  gives,  to  what  one  says,  a 
squeaking  effeminacy,  unbecoming  a  manly 
and  impressive  speaker;  it  makes  the  voice 
harsh  and  unmusical,  and  also  produces 
hoarseness. 

Anecdote.  Speculation.  A  capitalist, 
and  shrewd  observer  of  men  and  things,  be- 
ing asked,  what  bethought  of  the  specula- 
tions now  afloat,  replied — "  They  are  like  a 
cold  bath, — to  derive  any  benefit  from  which, 
it  is  necessary  to  be  very  quick  in,  and  very 
soon  out.'' 

Not  10  the  ensanguin'd  field  of  death  alone 
Is  valor  limited  :  she  sits — serene 
In  the  deliberate  rouncil;  sagely  scans 
The  source  of  action  ;  iveighs,  prevents,  provides. 
And  scorns  to  count  her  glories,  from  the  feats 
Of  brutal  force  alow. 


Maxims.  1.  A  broad  hat — does  not  ahoays 
cover  a  wise  head.  2.  Burn  not  your  house — to 
frighten  away  the  mice.  3.  Prinking  water,  nei- 
ther makes  a  man  sick,  nor  his  wife  a  widow.  4 
He  has  riches  enough,  who  need  neither  borrow 
or  fatter.  5.  True  wisdom — is  to  know  what  is 
best  worth  knowing,  and  to  do  'what  is  best  worth 
doing.  6.  Matty  things  appear  too  bad  to  keep,  and 
too  good  to  throw  away.  7.  Keep  a  thing  seven 
years,  and  you  will  find  use  for  it.  8.  We  cannot 
pluck  thorns  from  another's  bosom,  without  pla- 
cing roses  in  our  own.  9.  Better  a  half  loaf  than 
no  bread.  10.  Draw  not  thy  bow  before  the  arrow 
be  fixed. 

Experience.  By  what  strange  fatality 
is  it,  that  having  examples  before  our  eyes,  we 
do  not  profit  by  them  1  Why  is  our  experi- 
ence, with  regard  to  the  misfortunes  of  others, 
of  so  little  use?  In  a  word,  why  is  it,  that 
we  are  to  learn  wisdom  and  prudence  at  our 
own  expense  ?  Yet  such  is  the  fate  of  man  ! 
Surrounded,  by  misfortunes,  we  are  supplied 
with  means  to  escape  them  ;  but,  blinded  by 
caprice,  prejudice  and  pride,  we  neglect  the 
proffered  aid,  and  it  is  only  by  the  tears  we 
shed,  in  consequence  of  our  own  errors,  that 
we  learn  to  detest  them. 

"Varieties.  1.  Give  to  all  persons,  whom 
you  respect,  (with  whom  you  walk,  or  whom 
you  may  meet,)  especially  ladies,  the  wall 
side  of  the  walk  or  street.  2.  If  we  think 
our  evil  allowable,  tho'  we  do  it  not,  it  is  ap- 
propriated to  us.  3.  Why  does  the  pendu- 
lum of  a  clock — continue  to  move  !  Because 
of  the  uniform  operation  of  gravitation. 
What  is  gravitation?  4.  Humility — is  the 
child  of  wisdom  :  therefore,  beware  of  self- 
conceit,  and  an  unteachable  disposition.  5. 
Psychology — is  the  science,  that  treats  of  the 
essence — and  nature  of  the  human  soul,  and 
of  the  mode — by  which  it  flows  into  the  ac- 
tions of  the  body.  6.  The  true  way  to  store 
the  memory  is — to  develop  the  affections. 
7.  The  only  way  to  shun  evils,  or  sins,  is  to 
fight  against  them.  S.  Reading  and  obser- 
vation— are  the  food  of  the  young  intellect, 
and  indispensable  to  its  growth.  9.  Is  it  pos- 
sible, that  heart-friends  will  ever  separate  ? 
10.  All  effects  are  produced  by  life,  and  na- 
ture. 

Now  vivid  stars  shine  out,  in  brightening  files, 
And  boundless  rrther  glows,  till  the  fair  moon 
Shows  her  broad  visage — in  the  crimson'd  east; 
Now,  stooping,  seems  to  kiss  the  passing  cloud, 
Now.  o'er  the  pure  cerulean — rides  sublime. 
Natuie,  great  parent !  whose  directing  hand 
Rolls  round  the  seasons — of  the  changing  year, 
How  mighty,  how  majestic,  are  thy  works  ! 
With  what  a  pleasant  dread — they  swell  the  soul, 
That  seas,  astonish'd,  and  astonish'd,  sings! 
You  too,  ye  uinils.  that  now  begin  to  blow, 
With  boist'rous  sweep,  I  raise  my  voice  to  you. 
Where  are  your  stores,  you  viewless  beings,  say, 
Where  your  aerial  magazines — reserved 
Against  the  day  of  tempest  perilous? 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


145 


399.    Strength  of  Voice.     The  voice 
is  weak,  or  strong,  in  proportion  to  t lie  less, 
or  greater,  number  of  organs  and  muscles, 
that  are  brought  into   action.     If  one   uses 
only  the  upper  part  of  the  chest,  his  voice 
will  be  weak:  if  he  uses  the  whole  body, 
as  he  should  do,  (not  in  the  most  powerful 
manner,  of  course,  on  common  occasions,) 
his  voice  will  be  strong.    Hence,  to  strength- 
en a  weak,  voice,  the  student  must  practice 
expelling  the  vowel   sounds,  using  all  the 
abdominal  and  dorsal  nerves  and  muscles: 
in  addition  to  which,  he  should  read  and  re- 
cite when  standing  or  sitting,  and  walking 
on  a  level  plain,  and  up  hill:   success  will 
be  the  result  of  faithful  practice. 
So  soft,  so  elegant,  so/air, 
Sure,  something  more  than  human  's  there. 
Upon  my  lute — there  is  one  string 
Broken;  the  chords — were  drawn  too  fast: 
My  heart — is  like  that  string;  it  tried 
Too  much,  and  snapt  in  twain  at  last. 
She  will,  and  she  will  not,  she  grants  and  she  de- 
Consents,  retracts,  advances,  and  thelites,      [nies; 
Mental  fragrance — still  will  last, 
When  our  youthful  charms  are  past. 
If  little  labor,  little  are  our  gains  ; 
Man's  fortunes — are  according  to  his  pains. 

Delightful  task — to  rear  the  tender  thought, 
To  teach  the  young  idea — how  to  shoot, 
To  pour  the  fresh  instruction  o'er  the  mind, 
To  breathe  th'  enliv'ning  spirit,  and  to  fix 
The  generous  purpose  in  the  glowing  breast. 

£00.  Demosthenes — had  three  particular 
defects ;  first,  weakness  of  the  voice ;  which 
he  strengthened  by  declaiming  on  the  sea- 
shore, amid  the  roar  of  waters  ;  which  effort 
would  tend  directly  to  bring  into  use  the 
lower  parts  of  the  body  ;  second,  shortness 
of  breath  ;  which  he  remedied  by  repeating 
his  orations  as  he  walked  up  hill;  which  act 
serves  to  bring  into  use  the  appropriate  or- 
gans, and  fully  inflate  the  lungs:  and  third, 
a  thick,  mumbling  way  of  speaking;  which 
he  overcame  by  reading  and  reciting  with 
pebbles  in  his  mouth;  which  required  him 
to  make  a  greater  effort  from  below,  and 
open  his  mouth  wider.  Examine  yourself 
and  act  accordingly. 

Inconsistency.  Montaigne — condemns 
cruelty,  as  the  most  odious  of  all  vices ;  yet 
he  confesses,  that  hunting — was  his  favorite 
diversion.  He  acknowledges  the  inconsist- 
ency  of  man's  conduct,  but  he  does  not  as- 
cribe  it  to  the  right  cause;  which  is  the  pre- 
dominance, at  the  time,  of  those  associations 
it  awakens,  conducing  to  pleasure.  If  he 
had  not  been  accustomed  to  it,  the  associa- 
tions  of  hunting,  would  have  been  painful, 
and  his  aversion  to  cruelty  in  the  abstract, 
would  have  been  realized  in  the  concrete  and 
particulars. 

Then,  pilgrim,  turn,  thy  cares  forego  ; 

All  earth-bom  cares — are  wrong; 
Man — wants  hut  little — here  below, 
Nor  wants  that  little — long. 

ID  N 


Proverbs.  1,  To  subdue  a  trifling  error,  do 
not  incur  a  greater.  '2.  Anger  and  haste — hinder 
good  counsel.  ■',.  All  complain  of  want  of  memory, 
but  none  of  want  ol i  judgment.  4.  Good  i/i<  u  are 
a  public  good,  and  bad  men — a  public  culajnity. 
5.  Human  laws  reach  not  our  thoughts.  0.  Ru- 
lers— have  no  power  over  souls.  7.  No  one  ever 
suffered — by  not  speaking  ill  ot"  others.  8.  Silly 
people  are  generally  pleased  with  silly  ihings.  9. 
Zeal,  without  knowledge,  is  religious  wildfire.  10. 
The  example  of  a  good  man — is  visible  philos- 
ophy. 

Anecdote.  Clients'  Bones.  A  certain 
mechanic,  having  occasion  to  boil  some  cat- 
tle's feet,  emptied  the  bones  near  the  court 
house.  A  lawyer,  observing  them,  inquired 
of  a  bystander,  what  they  were.  "  I  believe 
they  are  clients'  bones,"  replied  the  wit,  "  as 
they  appear  to  be  well  picked." 

Tlie  Deceiver.  A  Base  Character.  Must 
not  that  man  be  abandoned,  even  to  all  man- 
ner of  humanity,  who  can  deceive  a  woman 
with  appearances  of  affection  and  kindness, 
for  no  other  end,  but  to  torment  her  with 
more  ease  and  authority?  Is  anything  more 
unlike  a  gentleman,  than,  when  his  honor  is 
engaged  for  the  performing  his  promises, 
because  nothing  but  that  can  oblige  him  to 
it,  to  become  afterwards  false  to  his  word, 
and  be  alone,  the  occasion  of  misery  to  one. 
whose  happiness  he  but  lately  pretended  was 
dearer  to  him  than  his  own  ?  Ought  such  a 
one  to  be  trusted  in  his  common  affairs  ''.  or 
treated,  but  as  one  whose  honesty — consisted 
only  in  his  capacity  of  being  otherwise. 

Varieties.    1.  Is  it  strange,  that  beauti- 
ful flowers  should  wither  and  die?     2.    Trust 
thyself;   every  heart  vibrates  to  that  iron 
string.    3.  Our  American  character  is  mark- 
ed by  a  more  than  average  delight — in  ac- 
curate perception;   which  is  shown  by  the 
currency  of  the  fey-word — "  no  mistake.''''    4. 
In  sickness,  and  languor,  give   us  a  strain 
of  poetry,  or  a  profound  sentence,  and  we  are 
refreshed;   when  the  great  Herder  was  dy- 
ing, he  said  to  his  friends ,  who  were  v)eep- 
ins   around   him :    "  Give   me  some  great 
thought."     Blessed  are  they,  who  minister  to 
the  cry  of  the  soul.     5.  The  christian  sees, 
in  all  that  befalls  the  human  race,  whether 
it  be  good  or  evil,  only  the   manifestations 
of  Divine  Love,  as  exercised  in  training  and 
preparing   souls,  for   the   approach   of    that 
perfection,  which  they  are  one  day  destined 
to    nalize.     C.  For   every  friend,    that    we 
lose  for  truth,  God  gives  us  a  better  one. 
The  love  of  praise,  howe'er  concealed  by  art, 
Reigns,  more  or  less,  and  glows  in  every  heart: 
The  proud — to  gain  it — toils  on  toils  endure, 
The  modest — shun  it.  but  to  make  it  sure; 
O'er  globes  and  sceptre*,  now  on  thrones  it  swells, 
Now  trims  the  midnight  lamp — in  college  cells. 
Tig  lory,  whig;  it  plots,  prays,  preaches,  ]iteads, 
Harangues  in  senates,  speaks  in  masquerades. 
It  aids  the  dancer's  heel,  the  Writer's  head. 
And  heaps  the  jtlnin — with  mountains  of  \\\f  dead; 
Nor  ends  with  life;  but  nods — in  sable  plumes, 
Adorns  our  hearse,  mu\falUrs — on  our  tombs. 


no 


PRINCIPLES  OF  l  let  i   HON. 


401  Travbitioh — means,  in  speecAjthe 
changes  of  pitch,  from  one  note  to  another i 
as  from  the  eighth  V>M»  third;  ox  from  the 
sixth  to  the  first ;  and  vice  versa;  to  corres- 
pond in  variety  and  character,  to  the  Benti- 
ment  and  emotion,    [n  ■  I   means 

changing  the  place  of  the  key-note,  so  as  to 
keep  the  tune  w  [thin  the  Bcale  oi  twenty-two 
de  recs.  In  transition  -  the  i  s  of  voice 
arenot  onlj  changed, but  its  qualities,  agreea- 
hly  to  tin1  nature  and  object  of  the  composi- 
tion; however,  there  must  never  be  anj  sac- 
rifice of  other  principles — all  the  proportions 
must  be  preserved.    Example: 

An  Ji.mo  passed  on  :  the  Turk 

Tii. u  (6)  bright  dream    (3)  waa  ins  test. 

lo  hear  ttls  gentry'*  shriek,  ( a  reek!" 
(8)"To  uin>:  ihey(6)<  ■.  '  the(8)  <.'■..  U  the (10) 
Hi'  to         midst  (5)jtawe,and  (5)  nneJte, 

knd  ; 8)  •'...-'.  and  I  :>  . ■    •■■.n,  and  $*in  stroke, 
knd  ihott  1  iii:  ■      i  .  .mil /*si 

As  Its  \ .'):.'  '',;>      ('[•'Ill  ll>.'  .u.l  ; 

Aii. I  heard  ^v  it 1 1  voice  a>  tramvet  loud, 

/■  is    .  ii.'ii  i»i—  band 

^si  si    '..•  '  mi  the  tail  armed /oi  asp  rea  i 

fbi  %  .'hi  (6)  tdUtrt  and  youi  (8)Jtres; 
ir,'  (or  ilif  green  graves  ofyoui  a  rea, 
iii.i  >.hii  mumm  land. 
409,   r.i  succeed  in  (hi  parts  of 

oratory,  one  must  throw  himself  into  the  con- 
dition, and  shape,  he  wishes  to 
br  a  the  bod]  into  perfect  subjection:  by  as- 
suming ili«'  appropriate  .  of  action 
and  earnestness,  he  may  work  himself  into 
frame  of  mind,  thai  the  subject  demands. 
He  must  be  Bure  i>>  keep  up  the  r  . 
and  energy  of  the  composition;  and  i<-i  there 
be  -i  light  and  ■  w  in  bis  st\  le.  He  must 
also  cultivate  a  boi  I  and  ..'■■'.■  ••.'".-  I  manner; 
takes  no  special  interest  in  what  he 
is  reading  or  speaking,  he  may  rest  assured 

-  will  not. 

Lo :  ii  ..in  ill.-  i  agiona  of  the  nerta, 
flu-  i  eddening  atoi  m  of  lactic  pours, 

(5)  u.'  Is  aloai  r  a  trembling  earta, 

(6)  Fastens  on  the  Ofyaiaiaa  towers  : 

ts  w  bare  rests  the  .~:.-.•^,i'.■■    w  here  Bleep  the 

(9)  .■■  -  all]  s.i\  a 

(6)  Prom  iii.'  inn  of  the  ' 

[8]  Bural  the  afc i    on  Paaci'a  walla  : 

(ll'i  /.'i..<".  01    <  I  i  '  ills  : 

l«M    breathea  hei  (B 
|  r  The  }arrln|  siat.-s    esaefaleaa  noa  . 

1       i>  '.-  hand  on  li  :;ti  : 

•■.V-  -    gathl  r  ni:  on  In?,  .V.itr, 

ftaahtng  from  ins  epe : — 
iSi  Grasp  lha  thiM    and  draw  tha  (6)  n 
-  lord  : 

(6]  Let  us  (lo* , ...,,■:.,•.  him,    [8)  oi  (8)  alia. 

TtlK   nun  i 

Behold  ili<-  Beefc.  whota  leavea  dlaplaj 

t,  lli.'  '".  the  tr«U,  III,1  I 

U.':  .1    II    \\  II 

a.  and  \  on  i]  :li!-r<'. 


I'lovrrbs.  i.  Bejual  toetAars,  that  voaaaj 
be  .insi  in  yea  ..<//  S  The  mind  of  the  War* 
novel  knows  what  ii  teisaaafbr.  '■'>  Ever]  rest 
baa  lis  tiitnr..  i  There  la  nothing  feed,  that 
may  n.u  be  converted  to  evil  purports.  .'•  Fur 
|i  taona  are  aware— of  the  Importance  of  i  |id 
eeenomy.  6,  Ho  not  suitor  yourself  to  be  deceived 
—by  outward  napaaraaeaa.  T,  Never  take  mi- 
of  another  man's  Ifnersiue.  8.  The 
trori/.  iiiat  lias  gone  fortk    can  never  be  rtcalUi. 

9,  a  bird  in  the  Hand,  la  worth  awe  la  the  />«.<*. 

10.  Thai  load  appi  ais  light,  which  is  borne  with 

Imm,    ii.  I'uiiii-  is   the   forerunner  o. 
tajtpiaese.    18.  h\>resii<ht  —la  ihe  eye  ofjtmdaaea. 
Am iii<ii< .    .',•     Orders*     \  brave  vete- 
ran officer,  reconnoitering  a  battery,  which 
was  considered  '. .  and  which  it 

was  neoessarj  bo  sto    .■.  laconically  answered 
the  engineers,  who  were  endeavo 

hi  from  the  attempl ; — "  Gentlemen, 
\  on  may  thv  w  hal  \  ou  | 

all    /    know.  is. — that    the    Amorioan  flag  — 

must  1hv  hoish'.i  on  the  ramparts  to-morrow 
morning  ;  for  I  Save  tht- order  in  my  pocket*' 

Bfffeots  of  i*t  tm'1  iiaiH'i'.  i .,'  the  per- 
formances Of  human  ait,  at  which  we  look 
with  praise  or  wonder,  are  instances  of  the 
resistless  force  of  perseverance ;  it  isbj 
thai  the  quarri  becomes  :i  pyramid,  arm  thai 
distanl  cotinfr  w  ut-  united  with  canals  and 
v.  [fa  man  was  to  compare  the  ef- 
fect oft  single  Btroke  of  a  pickaxe^  or  oi'  one 
impression  of  the  spc  '.-.  with  the  genera]  de- 
sign and  last  result,  he  would  be  overti 
ed  by  the  Bense  ot  their  d^ipropnrfion ;  yet 
those  pettj  .;•  nfions, inojassantlj  continued, 
in  time,  surmount  the  S)culties,and 

mountain*  are  levelled,  and  oceans  bounded, 
by  the  slender  force  of  human  beings. 

Viii-u-iw-s.    I. Can  Omnipotence  do  things 
•'."■•  .■'    '.'.  .sv.  Au- 
gustine described  the  nature  of  God,  as  a  .•!••- 
cle,  whose  een       was        ■  whom,  and  his 

.\  ben.  3.  Thevi  alls  o 
minds  are  Bcrawled  all  over  with /etefs  and 
with  thoughts;  then  shall  one  bring  a  tan- 

rn,  and      id  the  inscriptions!  -i.  ••MycA//- 
said  an  old  mon  u>  his  boys, scared  by 
a  figure  in  the  dark  enlry,"you  will  never 
Bee  anything  worse  than  ••"     .r>. 

Siimo  ouo  sa\s.  ••  1'horo  are  no  pro  Hgies,  hut 
the  first  death,  and  the  rust  nigAf,tha1  deserve 
astonishment  and  sadness!"  i;.  when  we 
have  broken  >nir  god  of  Tradition,  and  oaas- 
oil  from  our  god  of  Persuasion,  .::  i,  God 
may  Bra  our  keorts,  with  his  ovi 
but  not  before,  ~.  tVb love  can  be  bound  by 
oath,  or  eooenan^,  to  secure  it  egainsl  a  higher 
love, 

-  on  every  title, 

nc  iiis  children  all ; 

Ami  ultra** — hearts  aro  o|>t-n  triile. 

Wherein  .-■•■.••  ct.nrs  may  r.iii 
To  kama  sad  '•  aa  <;.  d,  is  aatrj  thing. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


in 


403.  Male  axtj  Female  Voices.  Tlie 
voices  of  men — are  generally  an  octave  lower 
than  those  of  women  ,•  or,  comparatively, 
men's  voices  are  like  the  bass  viol,  and  wo- 
men's voices  like  the  violin.  The  voice  is 
made  grave,  that  is,  to  run  on  lower  pitches. 
by  elongating,  and  enlarging  the  vocal 
chords ;  and  it  is  made  acute,  that  is,  to  run 
on  higher  pitches,  by  shortening  and  dimin- 
ishing them;  in  connection,  however,  with 
the  size  of  the  chest,  which  always  has  its 
influence.  Few  are  aware  of  the  extent  to 
which  the  voice  is  capable  of  being  cultivat- 
ed; and  hence,  we  should  beware  of  setting 
limits  to  it. 

If  every  one's  internal  care 

Were  written  on  his  broio, 
How  many  would  our  pity  share 

Who  raise  our  envy  now! 
The  fatal  secret,  when  revealed, 

Of  every  aching  breast, 
Would  fully  prove,  that  while  concealed, 
Their  lot  appears  the  best. 
I  low  calm,  how  beautiful,  comes  on 
The  stilly  hours,  when  storms  are  gone ;. 
When  warring  winds  have  died  away, 
And  clouds,  beneath  the  glancing  ray, 
Melt  off",  and  leave  the  land  and  sea, 
Sleeping — in  bright  tranquillity. 
404.  To  acquire  the  ability  to  change,  at 
will,  your  pitch  of  voice,  so  as  to  be  able 
i0  adapt  the  manner  to  the   matter,  prac- 
tice throwing  the  voice  on  different  2/ifches, 
varying    from   one   to  five,  Jive   to   eight, 
eight  to  one,  and  in  other  ways;  also,  recite 
such  pieces  as  have  a  number  and  variety  of 
speakers,  as  found  in  dialogues;  and  imitate 
the  voice  and  manner  of  each,  as  far  as  pos- 
sible.   But  remember,no  one  can  accomplish 
much,  without  committing  the  examples  to 
memory;    thus,  after  long  practice  in   this 
way,  you  may  make  the  book  talk  and  speak. 
All  developments  are  from  within — out,  not 
from  without — in. 

Miscellaneous.  1.  Two  things  are  in- 
cumbent on  the  historian}  to  avoid  stating 
what  is  false,  and  fully  and  fairly  to  place  be- 
fore us  the  truth.  2.  One  of  the  greatest  blun- 
ders an  orator  can  commit  is,  to  deviate  into 
abstruse  expressions,  and  out  of  the  beaten 
track.  3.  Man — was  created  for  a  state  of 
order,  and  he  was  in  order,  till  he  fell,  or  be- 
came depraved ;  or,  what  is  the  same  thing, 
disordered — i.  e.  the  reverse  of  order.  4.  Man 
is  in  order,  when  he  acts  from  supreme  love 
to  the  Lord,  and  charity  towards  his  neigh- 
bor, in  obedience  to  the  Divine  Will ;  but  he 
is  depraved,  and  bordered,  in  the  degree  he 
acts  from  the  love  of  self,  and  the  love  of  the 
world.  5.  No  man  is  compelled  to  evil;  his 
consent  only  makes  it  his. 

A  diamond, 
Tho'  set  in  horn,  is  still  a  diamono, 
And  sparkles — as  in  purest  gold. 


Maxims.  1.  Bad  counsel  confounds  the  ad- 
No  one  can  do  icrong.  without  n 
wrong.  3.  He  is  greatest,  who  is  most  useful.  4. 
ml  you  shall  be  loved.  5.  A  grtat  man — 
is  willing  to  be  little.  6.  Blame—]*  *;\u  r  than 
praise.  7.  All  the  devils  respect  virtue.  -.  A 
Hncere  word  was  never  lost.  9.  Ci/r.\>,s— always 
recoil  upon  the  head  of  him.  who  ifBj 
10.  God — will  not  make  himself  manifest  to  coio- 
ards.     II.  The  love  of  society  is  natural. 

Anecdote.  An  old  aldepman,  after  having 
lived  for  fifty  years  on  the  fat  of  the  land,  and 
losing  his  great  toe  with  a  mortification,  in- 
sisted, to  his  dying  day,  that  he  owed  it  to  two 
grapes,  which  he  ate  one  day.  after  dinner; 
he  said,  he  felt  them  lie  cold  at  his  stomach 
the  moment  they  were  eaten. 

Education.  The  time,  which  we  usually 
In  stow  on  the  instruction  of  our  children — in 
principles,  the  reasons  of  which  they  do  not 
understand,  is  worse  than  lost ;  it  is  teaching 
them  to  resign  their  faculties  to  aul 'hnril '/  j  it 
is  improving  their  memories,  instead  of  their 
understandings;  it  is  giving  them  credulity 
instead  of  knowledge,  and  it  is  preparing 
them  for  any  kind  of  slavery  which  can  be 
imposed  on  them.  Whereas,  if  we  assisted 
them  in  making  experiments  on  themselves, 
induced  them  to  attend  to  the  eonserpience  of 
every  action,  to  adjust  their  little  deviations, 
and  fairly  and  freely  to  exercise  their  pincers. 
they  would  collect  facts  which  nothing  could 
controvert.  These  facts  they  would  deposit 
in  their  memories,  as  secure  and  eternal  trea- 
sures ;  they  would  be  materials  for  reflection, 
and,  in  time,  be  formed  into  principles  of  ron- 
ilticl,  which  no  circumstances  or  temptations 
could  remove  This  would  be  a  method  of 
forming  a  man,  who  would  answer  the  end 
of  his  being,  and  make  himself  and  others 
happy. 

"Varieties.  1.  Did  not  the  Greek  philoso- 
phy— corrupt  the  simplicity  of  the  christian 
religion  ?  2.  There  are  two  sorts  of  popular 
corruption;  one,  when  the  people  do  not  ob- 
serve the  laws;  the  other,  when  they  are 
corrupted  by  the  laws.  3.  Cesar — added  the 
punishment  of  confiscation,  for  this  reason  ; 
lest  the  rich,  by  preserving:  their  estates,  should 
become  bolder  in  the  perpetration  of  crime. 
4.  No  localities  can  bound  the  dominion,  or 
the  superiority  of  man.  5.  What  constitutes 
■a  church?  Divine  goodness  and  truth,  con- 
joined by  love,  and  exemplified  in  the  life. 
6.  Madame  de  Stael's  idea,  that  architecture 
— is  like  frozen  music,  must  have  been  sug- 
gested on  a  cold  day.  7.  We  are  often  made 
to  feel,  that  there  is  another  youth  and  age, 
than  that  which  is  measured  from  the  year  of 
our  natural  birth;  some  thoughts  always 
find  us  young,  and  keep  us  so;  such  a 
thought  is  the  love  of  the  Universal  and  Eter- 
nal Beauty. 


148 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


405.  Style — comprehends  all  the  princi- 
ples of  elocution,  and  denotes  the  manner  in 
which  different  kinds  of  composition  should 
be  read,  or  spoken :  of  course,  there  are  as 
many  kinds  of  style,  as  there  are  of  compo- 
sition ;  and  unless  a  person  has  command  of 
body  and  mind,  he  cannot  harmonize  his 
manner  and  matter.  If  in  writing,  style — 
means  proper  words,  in  proper  places;  in 
speaking,  it  must  signify,  proper  sounds  in 
proper  places.    Ex. 

What  is  wit?  a  meteor,  bright  and  rare, 
Th't  comes  and  goes,  we  know  not  whence,  or  where; 
A  brilliant  nothing — out  of  something  wrought, 
A  mental  vacuum — by  condensing  thought. 

O  the  eye's  eloquence, 
{Twin-born  with  thought.)  outstrips  the  tardy  voice; 
Far  swifter — than  the  nimble  lightning's  flash, 
The  sluggish  thunder-peal,  that  follows  it. 
True  courage — but  from  opposition  grows, 
And  what  are  fifty — what — a  thousand  slaves, 
Matched  to  the  sinew — of  a  single  arm, 
That  strikes  for  liberty  ? 

406.  What  causeth  the  earth  to  bring  forth 
and  yield  her  increase?  Is  it  not  the  light 
and  heat  of  the  su7),  that  unlocks  her  native 
energies  and  gives  them  their  power  1  In  an 
analogous  manner  should  the  light  of  the 
thought,  and  the  heat  of  its  accompanying 
affection,  act  upon  the  mind,  which  will  com- 
municate the  influence  received  to  the  whole 
body,  and  the  body  to  the  voice  and  actions. 
This  is  what  is  meant  by  imbibing  the  au- 
thor's feelings,  and  bringing  before  you  all 
the  circumstances,  and  plunging  amid  the 
living  scenes,  and  feeling  that  whatever  you 
describe,  is  actually  present,  and  passing  be- 
fore your  mind. 

407.  Lyceums  and  Debating  societies,  are 
admirable  associations  for  the  improvement 
of  mind,  and  cultivation  of  talent,  for  pub- 
lic or  private  speaking.  Franklin  and  Ro- 
$ei  Sherman,  (the  one  a  printer,  and  the  oth- 
er a  shoe-maker,)  rose  from  obscurity  to  great 
eminence,  and  usefulness,  by  their  own  ef- 
forts: so  may  we,  by  using  the  proper 
means.  It  was  in  a  debating  society,  that 
Lord  Brougham  first  displayed  his  superior 
talents  and  unrivaled  eloquence  ;  and  there, 
also,  Henry  Clay,  the  greatest  American 
orator,  commenced  his  brilliant  career.  A 
word  to  those  who  would  be  xvise  is  enough. 

Anecdote.    An  appropriate  Sign.  A  man 
who  had  established  a  tippling-house,  heing 
about  to  erect  his  sign,  requested  his  neigh- 
bor's advice — what  inscription  to  put  upon 
it.    His  friend  replied,  "  I  advise  you  to  write 
on  it — Drunkards  and  Beggars  made  here" 
Honor's — a  sacred  tie,  the  law  of  kings, 
The  nobU  mind's — distinguishing  perfection, 
That  aids  and  strengthens  virtue,  when  it  meets  her, 
"And  imitates  her  anion*,  where  she  is  not: 
lo  be  sported  with. 


Proverbs.  1.  A  good  word  for  a  bad  one — is 
worth  much,  and  costs  tittle.  2.  He.  who  knows 
not  when  to  be  silent,  knows  not  when  to  speak. 
3.  Oppression — causes  rebellion.  4.  Where  con- 
tent is.  there  is  a  /east.  5.  The  drunkard  continu- 
ally assaults  his  own  life.  6.  Show  me  a  liar, 
and  I  will  show  you  a  thief.  7.  That  which  helps 
one  man,  may  hinder  another.  8.  A  good  educa- 
tion is  the  foundation  of  happiness.  9.  Most  follies 
owe  their  origin  to  self-love.  10.  No  tree — takes  so 
deep  a  root  an  prejudice.  11.  Inform  yourself  and 
instruct  others.  12.  Truth — is  the  only  bond  of 
friendship. 

Learning.  We  have  been  often  told,  that 
"a  little  learning  is  a  dangerous  thing,"  and 
we  may  be  just  as  well  assured,  that  a  little 
bread,  is  not  the  safest  of  all  things ;  it  would 
be  far  better  to  have  plenty  of  both  :  but  the 
sophism — of  those  who  use  this  argument,  is, 
that  they  represent  the  choice  between  little 
and  much ;  whereas  our  election  must  be 
made  between  little — and  none  at  all ;  if  the 
choice  is  to  be — between  a  small  portion  of 
information,  or  of  food,  and  absolute  igno- 
rance, or  starvation,  common  sense  gives  its 
decision  in  the  homely  proverb — "  half  'a  loaf 
is  better  than  no  bread." 

Varieties.  1.  The  best  and  surest  course 
is — never  to  have  recourse  to  deception,  but 
prove  ourselves,  in  every  circumstance  of  life, 
equally  upright  and  sincere.  2.  The  most 
consummate  hypocrite — cannot,  at  alt  times, 
conceal  the  workings  of  his  mind.  3.  When 
we  employ  money — to  good  purposes,  it  is  a 
great  blessing ;  but  when  we  use  it  for  evil 
and  wicked  ends,  or  become  so  devoted  to  it, 
as  to  endeavor  to  acquire  it  by  dishonest. 
means,  it  is  a  great  curse.  4.  None  are  so 
fond  of  secrets,  as  those  who  do  not  mean  to 
keep  them:  such  persons  covet  them,  as 
spendthrifts  do  many,  for  the  purpose  of  cir- 
culation. 5.  Burke — called  the  French  rev- 
olutionists, "  the  ablest  architects  of  ruin, 
that  the  world  ever  saw."  6.  Trifles — always 
require  exuberance  of  ornament ;  the  build- 
ing that  has  no  strength,  can  be  valued  only 
for  the  grace  of  its  decorations.  7.  We  can- 
not part  with  our  heart-friends :  we  cannot 
let  our  angels  go. 

Nor  fame  I  slight,  nor  for  her  favors  call ; 
She  comes  unlook'd  for,  if  she  comes  at  all. 
But,  if  the  purchase  cost  so  dear  a  price, 
As  sooth  ing/oWi/.  or  exalting  vice  ; 
And  if  the  muse — must  flatter  lawless  sway, 
And  follow  stil!  w\\exe  fortune  leads  the  way; 
Or,  if  no  basis — bear  my  rising  name, 
But  the  fall'n  ruins  of  another's  fame  ; 
Then,  teach  me.  heaven,  to  scorn  the  guilty  bays  ; 
Drive  from  my  breast  that  wretched  lust  of  praise. 
Unblemished  let  me  live,  or  die — unknown: 
O,  grant  me  honest  fame,  or  grant  me.  none. 

'Tis  sweet — to  hear 

The  song  and  oar — of  Adrians  gondolier, 

(By  distance  mellowed,)  o'er  the  waters  sweep. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


149 


408.  Public  speaker-?  ought  to  live  longer, 
and  enjoy  better  health,  than  other  persons; 

and  if  they  conform  to  the  principles  here 
taught,  and  the  laws  of  life  and  health  gener- 
ally, this  will  be  the  result.  Pulmonary  dis- 
eases may  be  thrown  01T  by  these  exercises; 
the  author  being  a  living  witness,  having  been 
given  over  at  three  different  times  with  con- 
sumption. The  celebrated  Cuvier  and  Dr. 
Brown,  the  metaphysician,  and  many  others 
that  might  be  mentioned,  are  also  witnesses 
of  this  truth.  One  reason  is,  that  natural 
speaking  induces  one  to  use  a  very  large 
quantity  of  air,  whereby  the  capacity  of  the 
lungs  is  much  enlarged,  the  quantity  of  air 
increased,  and  the  blood  more  perfectly  puri- 
fied ;  the  use  of  the  whole  body  insures  a  free 
circulation,  and,  of  course,  contributes  to 
universal  health. 

Think"s!  thou — there  are  no  serpents  in  the  world. 
But  those,  which  slide  along  the  grassy  sod. 
And  sting  the  luckless  foot,  that  presses  them? 
There  are,  who,  in  the  path  of  social  life, 
Do  bask  their  spotted  skins,  in  fortune's  sun, 
And  sting  the  soul,  aye,  till  its  healthful  frame 
Is  changed  to  secret,  festering,  sore  disease; 
So  deadly — is  its  wound. 
The  brave,  'tis  sure,  do  never  slum  the  light ; 
Just  are  their  thoughts,  and  open  are  their  tempers; 
Still  are  they  found — in  the  fair  face  of  day, 
And  heaven,  and  men — are  judges  of  their  actions. 

409.  Diseases  of  the  Throat — are  con- 
nected, particularly,  with  those  parts  of  the 
f>ody,  which  are  involved  in  breathing,  and 
relate  to  the  understanding,  or  reasoning  fa- 
culties of  the  mind:  thus,  thinking  and 
tireathing  are  inseparably  connected  toge- 
ther ;  as  are  feeling  and  acting ;  hence,  the 
predominance  of  thought,  in  the  exercise  of 
the  voice,  or  in  any  kind  of  action,  and  zeal 
without  knowledge,  tend  directly  to  such  per- 
versions of  mind  and  body,  as  induce,  not  only 
diseases  of  the  throat,  but  even  pulmonary 
diseases :  if,  then,  we  mill  to  be  free,  in  any  re- 
spect, we  must  return  to  truth  and  nature ,-  for 
they  will  guide  the  obedient  in  the  right  way. 

Miscellaneous.  1.  Whatever  one  pos- 
sesses, becomes  doubly  valuable,  by  having 
the  happiness  of  dividing  it  with  a  friend. 
2.  He  who  loves  riches  more  than  his  friend, 
does  not  deserve  to  be  loved.  3.  He  who 
would  pass  the  latter  part  of  his  life  with 
honor,  and  usefulness,  must,  when  he  is 
young,  consider  that  he  shall  one  day  be  old; 
and  when  he  is  old,  remember  that  he  has 
once  been  young.  4.  The  rolling  planets, 
and  the  glorious  sun,  Still  keep  that  order, 
which  they  first  begun ,-  But  wretched  man, 
alone,  has  gone  astray,  Swerved  from  his 
God,  and  walks  another  way.  5.  The  old — 
live  in  the  past,  as  the  young  do — in  the  fu- 
ture. 6.  Fix  upon  a  high  standard  of  char- 
acter :  to  be  thought  well  of — is  not  sufficient: 


the  point  you  are  to  aim  at,  is,  the  greatest 
possible  degree  of  usefulness.  7.  He  who 
only  aims  at  little,  will  accomplish  but  little. 
Anecdote.  A  silly,  but  very  pretty  wo- 
man, complained  to  the  celebrated  and  beau- 
tiful Sophia  Arnold,  of  the  number  of  her 
admirers,  and  wished  to  know  how  she 
should  get  rid  of  them.  "  Oh,  my  dear,'' 
(was  the  satiric  reply,)  "  it  is  very  easy  for 
you  to  do  it:  you  have  only  to  speak." 

Proverbs.  1.  Those,  who  possess  any  rxu 
excellence,  think  and  say.  the  least  about  it.  !i 
The  active  only,  have  the  true  relish  of  life.  9. 
Many  then'  are,  who  are  ereri/thing  by  turns,  and 
nothing — long.  4.  To  treat  trifles — as  matters  ol 
importance,  is  to  show  our  own  unimportance.  5 
Griff,  cherished  unseen,  is  genuine;  while  thai, 
which  has  witnesses,  may  be  affected.  6.  Error — 
does  not  so  often  arise  from  our  ignorance  of  the 
truth,  as  an  unwillingness  to  receive  it.  7.  Some — 
mistake  the  love — for  the  practice  of  virtue,  and  ar*; 
not  so  much  good  themselves,  as  they  are  the 
friends  of  goodness.  8.  To  love  any  one,  and  not 
do  him  good,  when  there  is  ability  and  opportu- 
nity, is  a  contradiction.  9.  Pity — will  always  be 
his  portion  in  adversity,  who  acted  with  kindness 
in  prosperity.  10.  The  best  mode  of  proving  any 
science,  is  by  exhibiting  it. 

A  Good  Example.  Mr.  Clay,  in  a  de- 
bate upon  the  Loan  Bill,  remarked,  that,  for 
twenty  or  thirty  years,  neither  he  nor  his 
wife,  had  owed  a?iy  man  a  dollar.  Both  of 
them,  many  years  gone  by,  had  come  to  the 
conclusion,  that  the  best  principle  of  economy 
was  this, — "  never  to  go  in  debt.  To  indulge 
your  wants  when  you  were  able  to  do  so,  and 
to  repress  them  when  you  are  not  able  to  in- 
dulge them."  The  example  is  not  only  an 
excellent  one  for  itself,  but  comes  from  a  high 
source.  To  repress  a  want — is  one  of  thf 
ivisest,  safest,  and  most  necessary  principle* 
of  political  economy.  It  prevents,  not  only 
the  dangerous  practice  of  living  beyond  our 
means,  but  encourages  the  safe  precedent  of 
living  within  them.  If  all  who  could,  would 
live  within  their  means,  the  world  would  be 
much  happier  and  much  better  than  it  is. 
Henry  Clay  and  his  noble  housewife  —  give 
us  an  example  worthy  of  all  imitation. 

"Varieties.  1 .  Is  pride — a  mark  of  talent? 
2.  Byron  says,  of  Jack  Bunting,  "  He  knew 
not  what  to  do,  and  so  he  swore :"  so  we  may 
say  of  many  a  one's  preposterous  use  of  books, 
— He  knew  not  what  to  do,  and  so  he  read. 
WiVs — a  feather — Pope  has  said, 

And  ladies — do  not  doubt  it : 
For  those,  who've  least — within  the  head, 
Display  the  most — about  it. 

They  sin,  who  tell  us  love  can  die; 

Its  holy  flame  forever  burneth; 

From  heaven  it  came,  to  heaven  returneth. 
Forgiveness — to  the  injured  does  belong; 
But  they  ne'er  pardon,  who  have  done  the  wrong. 
Be  thou  as  chaste  as  ice,  as  pure  as  snow, 
Thou  shalt  not  escape  calumny. 


150 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


•410.  Delivery — addresses  itself  to  the 
mind  through  two  mediums,  the  eye  and  the 
ear :  hence,  it  naturally  divides  itself  into 
two  parts,  voice  and  gesture ;  both  of  which 
must  be  sedulously  cultivated,  under  the 
guidance  of  proper  feeling,  and  correct 
thought.  That  style  is  the  best,  which  is  the 
most  transparent ;  hence  the  grand  aim  of 
the  elocutionist  should  be — perfect  transpa- 
rency ;  and  when  this  part  is  attained,  he 
will  be  listened  to  with  pleasure,  be  perfectly 
understood,  and  do  justice  to  his  subject, 
his  powers,  and  his  audience. 

411.  Young  Gentlemen, — (said  Wil- 
liam Wirt,)  you  do  not,  I  hope,  expect  from 
me,  an  oration  for  display.  At  my  time  of 
life,  and  worn  down,  as  I  am,  by  the  toils  of 
a  laborious  profession,  you  can  no  longer 
look  for  the  spirit  and  buoyancy  of  youth. 
Spring — is  the  season  iox flowers ;  but  I — am 
in  the  autumn  of  life,  and  you  will,  I  hope, 
accept  from  me,  the  fruits  of  my  experi- 
ence, in  lieu  of  the  more  showy,  but  less 
substantial  blossoms  of  Spring.  I  could 
not  have  been  tempted  hither,  for  the  pue- 
rile purpose  of  display.  My  visit  has  a 
much  graver  motive  and  object.  It  is  the 
hope  of  making  some  suggestions,  that  may 
be  serviceable  in  the  journey  of  life,  that  is 
before  you  ;  of  calling  into  action  some  dor- 
mant energy  ;  of  pointing  your  exertions  to 
some  attainable  end  of  practical  utility ;  in 
short,  the  hope  of  contributing,  in  some 
small  degree,  towards  making  you  happier 
in  yourselves,  and  more  useful  to  your 
country. 

413.  The  conversational — must  be  deliv- 
ered in  the  most  natural,  easy,  familiar,  dis- 
tinct, and  agreeable  manner ;  the  narrative 
and  didactwe,  with  a  clear  and  distinct  artic- 
ulation, correct  emphasis,  proper  inflections, 
and  appropriate  modulations  ;  because,  it  is 
not  so  much  your  object  to  excite  the  affec- 
tions, as  to  inform  the  understanding :  the 
argumentative,  and  reasoning,  demand  great 
deliberation,  slowness,  distinctness,  frequent 
pauses,  candor,  strong  emphasis  and  occa- 
sional vehemence.  No  one  can  become  a 
good  reader  and  speaker,  without  much  prac- 
tice and  many  failures. 

Pioneers.  The  "  eccentric1''  man — is  gen- 
erally the  pioneer  of  mankind,  cutting  his 
way  the  first — into  the  gloomy  depths  of  un- 
explored science,  overcoming  difficulties,  that 
would  check  meaner  spirits,  and  then — hold- 
ing up  the  light  of  his  knowledge — to  guide 
thousands,  who,  but  for  him,  would  be  wan- 
dering  about  in  all  the  uncertainty  of  igno- 
rance, or  be  held  in  the  fetters  of  some  self- 
ish policy,  which  they  had  not,  of  themselves 
— the  energy  to  throw  off. 

'Tis  not  in  folly — not  to  scorn  a  fool. 

And  scarce  in  human  wisdom — to  do  more. 


Proverbs.  1.  Constant  occupation — shuts 
out  temptation.  2.  A  flatterer — is  a  most  danger- 
ous enemy.  3.  Unless  we  aim  at  perfection,  we 
shall  never  attain  it.  4.  They  who  love  the  long- 
est, love  the  best.  5.  Pleasure — is  not  the  rule  for 
rest,  but  (ox  health.  6.  The  President  is  but  the 
head-servant  of  the  people.  7.  Knowledge — is  not 
truly  ours,  till  we  have  given  it  away.  8.  Our 
debts,  and  our  sins,  are  generally  greater  than  we 
suppose.  9.  Some  folks — are  like  snakes  in  the 
grass.  10.  He — injuries  the  good,  who  spares  the 
bad.  11.  Beauty  will  neither  feed  or  clothe  us. 
12.  Woman's  work  is  never  done. 

Anecdote.  What  for?  After  the  close 
of  the  Revolutionary  war,  the  king  of  Great 
Britain — ordered  a  thanksgiving  to  be  kept 
throughout  the  kingdom.  A  minister  of  the 
gospel  inquired  of  him,  "  For  what  are  we 
to  give  thanks?  that  your  majesty  has  lost 
thirteen  of  your  best  provinces  ?"  The  king 
answered,  "  No."  "  Is  it  then,  that  your  ma- 
jesty has  lost  one  hundred  thousand  lives  of 
your  best  subjects?"  "No,  no!"  said  the 
king.  "  Is  it  then,  that  we  have  expended,  and 
lost,  a  hundred  millions  of  money,  and  for 
the  defeat  and  tarnishing  of  your  majesty's 
arms?"  "No  such  thing," — said  the  king 
pleasantly.  "  What  then,  is  the  object  of  the 
thanksgiving'!1'  "  Oh,  give  thanks  that  it  is 
no  worse." 

"Varieties.  1.  Who  does  not  see,  in  Ce- 
sar's Commentaries,  the  radical  elements  of 
the  present  French  character1?  2.  "  A  man," 
says  Oliver  Cromwell,  "  never  rises  so  high, 
as  when  he  knows  not  whither  lie  is  going." 
3.  The  virtue,  that  vain  persons  affect  to  des- 
pise, might  have  saved  them ;  while  the  beau- 
ty, they  so  highly  prized,  is  the  cause  of  their 
ruin.  4.  He,  who  flatters,  without  design- 
ing to  benefit  by  it,  is  a  fool ;  and  whoever 
encourages  that  flattery,  that  has  sense 
enough  to  see  through,  is  a  vain  coxcomb.  5. 
The  business  of  the  teacher — is  not  so  much 
to  communicate  knowledge  to  the  pupil,  as 
to  set  him  to  thinking,  and  show  him  how 
to  educate  himself;  that  is,  he  must  rather 
teach  him  the  way  to  the  fountain,  than  car- 
ry him  to  the  water.  6.  Many  buy  cheap, 
and  sell  dear  ;  i.  e.  make  as  good  bargains  as 
they  can ;  which  is  a  trial  of  skill,  between 
two  knaves,  to  see  which  shall  overreach  the 
other ;  but  honest  men  set  their  price  and 
adhere  to  it.  7.  If  you  put  a  chain  round 
the  neck  of  a  slave,  the  other  end  fastens  it- 
self around  your  own. 
Would  you  then  learn  to  dissipate  the  band 

Of  these  huge  threatening  difficulties  dire, 
That,  in  the  weak  man's  way — like  lions  stand, 

His  soul  appal,  and  damp  his  ris'mg fire  ? 

Resolve,  resolve,  and  to  be  men  aspire. 
Exert  that  noblest  privilege,  alone, 

Here  to  mankind  indulged:  control  desire; 
Let  godlike  reason,  from  her  sovereign  throne, 
Speak  the  commanding  word — I  will,  and  it  is  doru 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


151 


413.  Earnestness   of  Manner — is    of  ' 
vital  importance  in  sustaining  a  transparent 
style  ;  and  this  must  be  imbibed  internally, 
and  felt  with  all  the  truth  and  certainty  of 
nature.    By  proper  exercises  on  these  prin- 
ciples, a  person  may  acquire  the  power  of 
passing,  at  will,  from  grave  to  gay,  and  from 
lively  to  severe,  without  confounding    one 
with   the  other :  there  are  times,  however,  i 
when  they  may  be  united ;  as  in  the  humor-  i 
OUS  and  pathetic,  together. 
Breathes  there  a  man  with  soul  so  dead, 
Who  never,  to  himself  hath  said, 
"  This — is  my  own,  my  native  land  V 
Whose  heart — hath  ne'er  within  him  burned, 
As  home  —his  footsteps  he  hath  turned, 
From  wandering  on  a  foreign  strand  1 
If  such  there  breathe,  go  mark  him  well : 
For  him,  no  minstrel  ruptures  swell ; 
High  tho'  his  titles,  poicers,  or  pelf, 
The  wretch— concentred  all  in  self. 
Living — shall  forfeit  fair  renown, 
And,  doubly  dying,  shall  go  down 
To  the  vile  dust,  from  whence  he  sprung, 
Unwept'd,  unhonored,  and  unsung. 

414:.  The  following  are  the  terms  usually 
applied  to  style,  in  writing,  and  also  in  speak- 
ing ;  each  of  which  has  its  distinctive  charac- 
teristics ;  though  all  of  them  have  something 
in  common.  Bombastic,  dry,  elegant,  epis- 
tolary, floiving,  harsh,  laconic,  lofty,  loose, 
terse,  tumid,  verbose.  There  are  also  styles 
of  occasion,  time,  place,  &c:  such  as  the 
style  of  the  bar,  of  the  legislature,  and  of  the 
pulpit;  also  the  dramatic  style,  comedy, 
,high  and  low,)  farce  and  tragedy. 

Illiterate  and  selfish  people,  are  often  op- 
posed to  persons  traveling  through  the  coun- 
try, to  lecture  on  any  subject  whatever ;  and 
especially,  on  such  as  the  grumblers  are  ig- 
norant of.  But  are  not  books  and  newspa- 
pers; itinerants  too  1  In  olden  time,  the  wor- 
shipers of  the  goddess  Diana,  were  violentty 
opposed  to  the  Apostles ;  because,  thro'  their 
preaching  of  the  cross,  their  craft  was  in 
danger.  The  liberally  educated,  and  those 
who  are  in  favor  of  a  universal  spread  of 
knowledge,  are  ready  to  bid  them  "God 
speed,"  if  they  and  their  subject  are  praise- 
ivorthy. 

Anecdote.   A  Kingly  Dinner  in  Nature's 
Palace.    Cyrus,  king  of  Persia,  was  to  dine 
with  one  of  his  friends  ;  and,  on  being  asked 
to  name  the  place,  and  the  viands  with  which 
he  would  have  his  table  spread,  he  replied, 
"  Prepare  the  banquet  at  the  side  of  the  river, 
and  let  one  loaf  of  bread  be  the  only  dish.'''' 
Bright,  as  the  pillar,  rose  at  Heaven's  command: 
When  Israel — marched  along  the  desert  land, 
Blazed  through  the  night — on  lonely  wilds  afar, 
And  told  the  path, — a  never-setting  star  ; 
So,  heavenly  Genius,  in  thy  course  divine, 
Hope — is  thy  star,  her  light — is  ever  thine. 


Proverbs.  1.  People  generally  love  truth 
more  than  goodness  ;  knowledge  more  than  holi- 
ness. 2.  Never  magnanimity — fell  to  the  ground. 
3.  He,  who  would  gather  immortal  palms,  must 
not  be  hindered  by  the  name  of  goodness,  but 
must  erplore — if  it  be  goodness.  4.  JVo  author 
was  ever  written  down,  by  any  but  himself.  5. 
Better  be  a  nettle  in  the  side  of  your  friend,  than 
his  echo.  6.  Surmise  is  the  gossamer,  that  malice 
blows  on  fair  reputation  ;  the  corroding  dew,  that 
destroys  the  choicest  blossoms.  7.  A  general 
prostration  of  morals — must  be  the  inevitable  re- 
sult of  the  diffusion  of  bad  principles.  8.  To 
know — is  one  thing;  and  to  do — is  another.  9. 
Candor — lends  an  open  ear  to  all  men.  10.  Art 
— is  never  so  beautiful,  as  when  it  reflects  the 
philosophy  of  religion  and  of  man. 

We  cannot  honor  our  country — with  too 
deep  a  reverence  ;  we  cannot  love  her — with 
an  affection  too  pure  and  fervent;  we  can- 
not serve  her — with  an  energy  of  purpose,  or 
a  faithfulness  of  zeal — too  steadfast  and  ar- 
dent. And  what  is  our  country  ]  It  is  not 
the  East,  with  her  hills  and  her  valleys,  with 
her  countless  sails,  and  the  rocky  ramparts 
of  her  shores.  It  is  not  the  North,  with  her 
thousand  villages,  and  her  harvest-home,  with 
her  frontiers  of  the  take,  and  the  ocean.  It  is 
not  the  West,  with  her  /ores/-sea,  and  her 
inland  isles,  with  her  luxuriant  expanses, 
clothed  in  the  verdant  corn  ;  with  her  beauti- 
ful Ohio,  and  her  majestic  Missouri.  Nor  is 
it  yet  the  South,  opulent  in  the  mimic  snow 
of  the  cotton,  in  the  rich  plantations  of  the 
rustling  cane,  and  in  the  golden  robes  of  the 
rice-field.  What  are  these,  but  the  sister 
families  of  one  greater,  better,  holier  family, 
OUR  country] 

VARIETIES. 

Give  thy  thoughts  no  tongue, 
Nor  any  unproportioned  thought  his  act. 
Be  thou  familiar  ;  but  by  no  means  vulgar. 
The  friends  thou  hast,  and  their  adoption  tried, 
Grapple  them  to  thy  soul,  with  hooks  of  steel ; 
But  do  not  dull  thy  palm — with  entertainment 
Of ev'ry  new  hatch'd,  unfledg'd  comrade.  Beware 
Of  entrance  into  quarrel  I   but,  being  in, 
Bear  it,  that  the  opposer — may  beware  of  thee. 
Give  every  man  thine  ear,  hut  few  thy  voice,    [ment. 
Take  each  man's  censure,  but  reserve  thy  judg- 
Costly  thy  habit — as  thy  purse  can  buy, 
But  not  expressed  infancy;  rich,  not  gaudy  . 
For  the  apparel — oft  proclaims  the  man. 
Neither  a  borrower,  nor  a  lender  be  ; 
For  loan — oft  loses  both  itself  and  friend, 
And  borrowing — dulls  the  edge  of  husbandry. 
This  above  all — to  thine  own  self  he  true. 
And  it  must  follow,  as  the  night  the  day. 
Thou  canst  not,  then — be  false  to  any  man. 
Dare  to  be  true — nothing — can  need  a  lie  ; 
The  fault  that  needs  it — grows  two — thereby. 

What  do  you  think  of  marriage  ? 

I  take  it,  as  those  that  deny  purgatory  ; 

It  locally  contains  or  heaven  or  hell; 

There  is  no  third  place  in  it. 


152 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


415.    Beware  of  a  slavish  attention  to 
rules;  for  nothing  should  supercede  Nature, 
who  knows  more  lhan  Art;  therefore,  let  Apr 
etand   in   the  foreground,  with  art  for  her 
servant.     Emotion. — is  the  soul  of  oratory  : 
one  flash  of  passio?i  on  the  cheek,  one  beam 
of  feeling  from  the  eye,  one  thrilling  note  of 
sensibility  from  the  tongue,  one  stroke  of 
hearty  emphasis  from  the  arm,  have  infinite- 
ly more  value,  than  all  the  rhetorical  rules 
and  flourishes  ot   ancient  or  modem  times. 
The  great  rule  is — be  in  earnest.     This  is 
what  Demosthenes  more  than  intimated,  in 
ti--'.ce  declaring,   that   the   most  important 
fcl.Jg  in  eloquence,  was  action.     There  sviil 
be  no  execution  without  fire. 
Whoever  thinks,  must  see,  that  man — was  made 
To  face  the  storm,  not  languish  in  the  shade; 
Action — his  sphere,  and,  for  that  sphere  designed, 
Eternal  pleasures — open  on  his  mind. 
For  this — fair  hope — leads  on  th'  impassioned  soul, 
Through  life's  wild  labyrinth — to  her  distant  goal: 
Paints,  in  each  dream,  to  fan  the  genial  flame, 
Tiie  pomp  of  riches,  and  the  pride  of  fame; 
Or,  fondly  gives  reflection's  cooler  eye, 
A  glance,  an  image,  of  a  future  sky. 

Notes.  The  standard  for  propriety,  and  force,  in  public 
speaking  is — to  speak  just  as  one  would  naturally  express  himself 
in  earnest  conversation  in  private  company.  Such  should  we  all 
do,  if  left  to  ourselves,  and  early  pains  were  not  taken  to  substitute 
an  artificial  method,  for  that  which  is  natural.  Beware  of  im- 
agining that  you  must  read  in  a  different  way,  with  different  tones 
add  cadences,  from  that  of  common  speaking. 

Anecdote.  The  severity  of  the  laws  of 
Draco,  is  proverbial;  he  punished  all  sorts 
of  crime,  and  even  idletiess,  with  death: 
hence,  De-mo-des  said — "He  writes  his 
laws,  not  with  ink — hut  with  blood.''''  On 
being  asked  why  he  did  so,  he  replied, — that 
the  smallest  crime  deserved  death,  and  that 
there  was  not  a  greater  punishment  he  could 
find  out,  for  greater  crimes. 

Miscellaneous.  1.  Envy — is  the  daugh- 
ter of  pride,  the  author  of  revenge  and  mur- 
der, the  beginning  of  secret  sedition  and  the 
perpetual  tormentor  of  virtue;  it  is  the  filthy 
alime  of  the  soul,  a  venom,  a  poison,  that 
eonsumeth  \he  flesh,  and  drieth  up  the  mar- 
row of  the  bones.  2.  What  a  pity  it  is,  that 
there  are  so  many  quarter  and  half  men  and 
women,  who  can  take  delight  in  gossip,  be- 
cause they  are  not  great  enough  for  any 
thing  else. 

Were  I  so  tall — as  to  reach  the  pole, 
And  grasp  the  ocean — with  a  span, 
I  would  be  measured — by  my  soul, 
The  mind's — the  standard  of  the  man. 

4.  What  is  the  difference  between  loving 
the  minds,  and  the  persons  of  our  friends  ? 

5.  How  different  is  the  affection,  the  thought, 
action,  form  and  manners  of  the  male,  from 
the  affection,  thought,  action,  form  and  man- 
ners of  the  female. 

Thm  farewell, — I'd  rather  make 
My  bed — upon  some  icy  lake, 
When  thawing  suns — begin  to  shine, 
Than  trust  a  love — as  false  as  thine. 

The  stomach — hath  no  ears. 


Laconics.  1.  God  has  given  us  vocal  organs, 
and  reason  to  use  them.  2.  True  gesture — is  the 
language  of  nature,  and  makes  its  way  to  the 
heart,  without  the  utterance  of  a  single  word.  3. 
Coarseness  and  vulgarity — are  the  effects  of  a  bad 
education;  they  cannot  be  chargeable  to  nature. 
4.  Close  observation,  and  an  extensive  knowledge 
of  human  nature  alone,  will  enable  one  to  adapt 
himself  to  all  sorts  of  character.  5.  Painting — 
describes  what  the  object  is  in  itself:  poetry — what 
it  inspires  or  suggests  :  one — represents  the  visible, 
the  other — both  the  risible  and  the  invisible.  6. 
It  is  uneandid  self-will,  that  condemns  without  a 
hearing.  7.  The  mind — wills  to  be  free;  and  the 
signs  of  the  times — proclaim  the  approach  of  its 
restoration. 

"Woman.  The  right  education  of  this  sex 
is  of  the  titmost  importance  to  human  life. 
There  is  nothing,  that  is  more  desirable  for 
the  common  good  of  all  the  world;  since,  as 
they  are  mothers  and  mistresses  of families, 
they  have  for  some  time  the  care  of  the  ed- 
ucation of  their  children  of  both  sorts  ;  they 
are  intrusted  with  that,  which  is  of  the 
greatest,  consequence  to  human  life.  As  the 
health  and  strength,  or  weakness  of  our  bodies. 
is  very  much  owing  to  their  methods  of 
treating  us  when  we  were  young;  so — the 
soundness  or  folly  of  our  minds  is  not  less 
owing  to  their  first  tempers  and  ways  of 
thinking,  which  we  eagerly  received  from 
the  love,  tenderness,  authority,  and  constant 
conversation  of  our  mothers.  As  we  call  our 
first  language  our  mother-tongue,  so — we 
may  as  justly  call  our  first  tempers  our  moth- 
er-tempers; and  perhaps  it  may  be  found 
more  easy  to  forget  the  language,  than  to 
part  entirely  with  those  tempers  we  learned 
in  the  nursery.  It  is,  therefore,  to  be  la- 
mented, that  the  sex,  on  whom  so  much  de- 
pends, who  have  the  first  forming  both  ot 
our  bodies  and  our  minds,  are  not  only  edu- 
cated in  pride,  but  in  the  silliest  and  most 
contemptible  part  of  it.  Girls  are  indulged 
in  great  vanity;  and  mankind  seem  to  con- 
sider them  in  no  other  view  than  as  so  many 
painted  idols,  who  are  to  allure  and  gratify 
their  passions. 

Varieties.    1.  Was   England — justified 
in  her  late  warlike  proceeding  against  Chi- 
na ?     2.  Fit  language  there  is  none,  for  the 
heart's  deepest  things.     3.  The  honor  of  a 
maid — is  her  name;  and  no  legacy  is  so  ricli 
as  honesty.     4.  O,  how  bitter  a  thing  it  is — 
to  look  into  happiness — thro'  another's  eyes. 
Ungrateful  man,  with  liquorish  draughts, 
And  morsels  unctuous,  greases  his  pure  mind, 
That  from  it — all  consideration  slips. 
To  persist 
In  doing  wrong,  extenuates  not  wrong, 
But  makes  it  much  more  heavy. 
He  cannot  be  a  perfect  man, 
Not  being  tried  or  tutored  in  the  world  : 
Experience  is  by  industry  achieved, 
And  perfected — by  the  swift  course  of  timt 
A  confused  report— passed  thro'  my  ears; 
But,  full  of  hurry,  like  a  morning  dream, 
It  vanished — in  the  business  of  the  day. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


153 


416.  The  Declamatory  and  Horta- 
tory— indicate  a  deep  interest  for  the  per- 
sons addressed,  a  horror  of  the  evil  they  are 
entreated  to  avoid,  and  an  exalted  estimate 
of  the  good,  they  are  exhorted  to  pursue. 
The  exhibition  of  the  strongest  feeling,  re- 
quires such  a  degree  of  self-control,  as,  in  the 
very  torrent,  tempest  and  whirlwind,  of  pas- 
sion, possesses  a  temperance  to  give  it 
smoothness.  The  Dramatic  —  sometimes 
calls  for  the  exercise  of  all  the  vocal  and 
mental  powers:  hence,  one  must  consider 
the  character  represented,  the  circumstances 
under  which  he  acted,  the  state  of  feeling  he 
possessed,  and  every  tiling  pertaining  to  the 
scene  with  which  he  was  connected. 

417.  Rolla's  Address  to  the  Peru- 
vians. My  brave  associates — -partners — of 
my  toil,  my  ft'elhigs,  and  my  fame!  Can 
Rolla's  words — add  vigor — to  the  virtuous 
energies,  which  inspire  your  hearts?  No,- 
you  have  judged  as  /  have,  the  foulness  of 
the  crafty  plea,  by  which  these  bold  invaders 
would  delude  you.  Your  generous  spirit 
has  compared,  as  mine  has,  the  motives, 
which,  in  a  war  like  this,  can  animate  their 
minds  and  ours.  They,  by  a  strange  frenzy 
driven,  fight  for  power,  for  plunder,  and  ex- 
tended rule;  we,  tor  our  country,  our  altars, 
and  our  homes.  They — follow  an  adventur- 
er, whom  they /ear,  and  obey  a.  power,  which 
they  hate,-  ive — serve  a  monarch  whom  we 
love, — a  God,  whom  we  adore.  Whene'er 
they  move  in  anger,  desolation — tracks  their 
progress!  Whene'er  they  pause  in  amity, 
affliction — mourns  their  friendship.  They 
boast,  they  come  but  to  improve  our  slate, 
enlarge  our  thoughts,  and  free  us  from  the 
yoke  of  error  ■'  Yes — they  will  give  enlight- 
ened freedom  to  our  minds,  who  are  them- 
selves the  slaves  of  passion,  avarice,  and  pride. 
They  offer  us  their  protection.  Yes,  such 
protection — as  vidtures — give  to  lambs — 
covering,  and  devouring  them.  They  call 
on  us  to  barter  all  of  good,  we  have  inherited 
and  proved,  for  the  desperate  chance  of  some- 
thing better,  which  they  promise.  Be  our 
plain  answer  this :  The  throne — we  honor 
— is  the  people's  choice,-  the  laws  we  rever- 
ence— are  our  brave  fathers'  legacy ;  the  faith 
we  follow — teaches  us  to  live  in  bonds  of  cha- 
rity with  all  mankind,  and  die — with  hope 
of  bliss — beyond  the  grave.  Tell  your  in- 
vaders this,  and  tell  them  too,  we  seek  no 
change;  and,  least  of  all,  such  change  as 
they  would  bring  us. 

GAMBLING. 

Oh !  vice  accursed,  that  lur'st  thy  victim  on 
With  specious  smiles,  and  false  deluding  hopes — 
Smiles — that  destroy,  and  hopes — that  bring  despair, 
Infatuation — dangerous  and  destructive, 
Pleasure  most  visionary,  [{delight,  how  transient! 
Prelude  of  horror,  anguish,  and  dismay! 
20 


Proverbs.  1.  The  more  —  women  look  into 
their  glasses,  the  less — they  attend  to  their  houses. 
•J.  Works,  and  not  words,  are  the  proof  of  love.  3. 
There  is  no  better  looking-glass,  than  a  true  friend, 
4.  When  we  obey  our  superiors,  we  instruct  our 
inferiors.  5.  There  is  more  trouble  in  having  no- 
thing to  do,  than  in  having  much  to  do.  6.  The 
best  throw  of  the  dice— is  to  throw  them  away.  7. 
Virtue,  that  parleys,  is  near  the  surrender.  8.  The 
spirit  of  truth — dwelleth  in  meekness.  9.  Resist  a 
temptation,  till  you  conquer  it.  10.  Plain  dealing 
is  a.  jewel. 

Anecdote.  Faithful  unto  Death.  When 
the  venerable  Polycarp  —  was  tempted  by 
Herod,  the  proconsul,  to  deny,  and  blaspheme 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  he  answered, — 
■•  Eighty  and  six  years — have  I  served  my 
Loud  and  Savior, — and  in  all  that  time — 
he  never  did  me  any  injury,  but  always 
good;  and  therefore,  I  cannot,  in  conscience, 
reproach  my  King  and  my  Redeemer." 

A  Wife;  not  an  Artist.  When  a  man 
of  sense  comes  to  marry,  it  is  a  companion  he 
wants,  and  not  an  artist.  It  is  not  merely  a 
creature  who  can  paint,  and  play,  and  sing, 
and  dance.  It  is  a  being  who  can  comfort 
and  counsel  him;  one  who  can  reason  and 
reflect,  and  feel  and  judge,  and  discourse  and 
discriminate ;  one  who  can  assist  him  in  his 
affairs,  lighten  his  sorrows,  purify  his  joys, 
strengthen  h\* principles  and  educate  his  child- 
ren. Such  is  the  woman  who  is  fit  for  a  mo- 
ther, and  the  mistress  of  a  family.  A  woman 
of  the  former  description  may  occasionally 
figure  in  a  drawing-room,  and  excite  the  ad- 
miration of  the  company;  but  is  entirely 
unfit  for  a  helpmate  to  man,  and  to  train  up 
a  child  in  the  way  he  should  go. 

Varieties.  1.  He,  who  is  cautious  and 
prudent,  is  generally  secure  from  many  dan- 
gers, to  which  many  others  are  exposed.  2. 
A  fool  may  ask  more  questions  in  an  hour, 
than  a  wise  man  may  answer  in  seven  years. 
3.  The  manner  in  which  words  are  delivered, 
contribute  mainly  to  the  effects  they  are  to 
produce,  and  the  importance  which  is  attach- 
ed to  them.  4.  Shall  this  greatest  of  free  na- 
tions be  the  best?  5.  One  of  the  greatest 
obstacles  to  knowledge  and  excellence,  is  in- 
dolence. 6.  One  hour's  sleep  before  midnight, 
is  worth  two  afterward.  7.  Science,  or  learn- 
ing, is  of  little  use,  unless  guided  by  good 
sense. 

Men — use  a  different  speech — in  different  dimes, 
Hut  Nature  hath  (me  voice,  and  only  one. 
Her  wandering  moon,  her  star3,  her  golden  sun, 
Her  woods  and  waters,  in  all  lands  and  times, 
In  one  deep  song  proclaim  the  wondrous  story. 
They  tell  it  to  each  other— in  the  sky, 
Upon  the  winds  they  send  it — sounding  high, 
Jehovah's  wisdom,  goodness,  power,  and  glory. 
I  hear  it  come  from  mountain,  cliff,  and  tree, 
Ten  thousand  voices — in  one  voice  unite  i  j 
On  every  side — the  song  encircles  me, 
The  whole  round  world  reveres— and  is  delighted. 
Ah !  why,  when  heaven— and  earth— lift  up  their  voice, 
Ah  !  why  should  man  alone,  nor  worship,  nor  rejoice? 


154 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


418.  The  merging  of  the  Diatonic  Scale 
in  the  Musical  Staff,  as  some  have  done  in 
elocution,  is  evidently  incorrect ;  for  then,  the 
exact  pitch  of  voice  is  fixed,  and  all  must 
take  that  pitch,  whether  it  be  in  accordance 
with  the  voice,  or  not.  But  in  the  simple  di- 
atonic scale,  as  here  presented,  each  one 
takes  his  lowest  natural  note  for  his  tonic,  or 
key-noXe,  and  then,  passes  to  the  medium 
range  of  pitches.  Different  voices  are  often 
keyed  on  different  pitches;  and  to  bring 
them  all  to  the  same  pitch,  is  as  arbitrary  as 
Procruste^s  bedstead,  according  to  Hudribras : 

"This  iron  bedstead,  they  do  fetch, 

To  try  our  hopes  upon; 
If  we're  too  short,  we  must  be  stretched, 

Cut  off—\{  we're  too  long." 
Beware  of  all  racks  ;  be  natural,  or  nothing. 
What  the  weak  head — with  strongest  bias  rules, 
Is  (fl)  prtde  ;  the  nei'er-failing  vice  of  fools. 
A  soul,  without  reflection,  like  a  pile, 
Without  inhabitant — to  ruin  runs. 
Wit — is  fine  language — to  advantage  dressed; 
Better  often  thought,  bnt  ne'er  so  well  expressed. 
Our  needful  knowledge,  like  our  needful  food, 
Unhedged,  lies  open — in  life's  common  field, 
And  bids  all — welcome — to  the  vital  feast. 
Let  sense — be  ever  in  your  view; 
Nothing  is  lovely,  that  is  nol  true. 

419.  Suggestions.  Let  the  pupils  me- 
morize any  of  the  proverbs,  laconics,  max- 
ims, or  questions,  and  recite  them  on  occa- 
sions like  the  following :  when  they  first  as- 
semble in  the  school-TOom ;  or,  meet  together 
in  a  social  circle:  let  them  also  carry  on  a 
kind  of  conversation,  or  dialogue  with  them, 
and  each  strive  to  get  one  appropriate  to  the 
supposed  state,  character,  &c.  of  another :  or 
use  them  in  a  variety  of  ways,  that  their  in- 
genuity may  suggest. 

Pride.  There  is  no  passion  so  universal, 
or  that  steals  into  the  heart  more  impercep- 
tibly, and  covers  itself  under  more  disgui- 
ses, than  pride  ;  and  yet,  there  is  not  a  sin- 
gle view  of  human  nature,  which  is  not  suf- 
ficient to  extinguish  in  us  all  the  secret 
seeds  of  pride,  and  sink  the  conscious  soul — 
to  the  lowest  depths  of  humility. 

Anecdote.  Sterling  Integrity.  In  177S, 
while  congress  was  sitting  in  Philadelphia, 
frequent  a1tem2)ts  were  made,  by  the  British 
officers,  and  agents,  to  bribe  several  of  the 
members.  Governor  Johnstone — authorized 
the  following  proposal,  to  he  made  to  Col. 
Joseph  Reed:  "That  if  he  would  engage  his 
interest  to  promote  the  objects  of  the  British, 
he  should  receive  thibtt  thousand  dol- 
lahs,  and  any  office  in  the  colonies,  in  his 
majesty's  gift.  Col.  Reed — indignantly  re- 
plied,— "I  am  not  worth  purchasing;  but 
such  as  I  am,  the  king  of  Great  Britain  is 
not  rich  enough  to  buy  me." 


Laconics.  1.  Any  violation  of  law — is  a 
breach  of  morality.  2.  Music,  in  all  its  variety, 
is  essentially  one:  and  so  is  speech,  tho'  infinitely 
diversified.  3.  Literary  people — are  often  unpleas- 
ant companions  in  mixed  society;  because  they 
have  not  always  the  power  of  adapting  them- 
selves to  others.  4.  It  is  pedantry — to  introduce 
foreign  words  into  our  language,  when  we  have 
pure  English  words  to  express  all  that  the  exotics 
contain;  with  the  advantage  of  being  intelligible 
to  every  one.  5.  Whatever  is  merely  artificial,  is 
unnatural;  which  is  opposed  to  general  eloquence. 
6.  There  can  be  no  great  advances  made,  in  gen- 
uine scientific  truth,  without  well  regulated  affec- 
tions. 7.  We  can  be  almost  ani/thing  we  choose; 
if  we  will  a  thing  to  be  done,  no  matter  how  high 
the  aim,  success  is  nearly  certain. 

Anger.  Of  all  passions — there  is  not  one 
so  extravagant  and  outrageous  as  this ;  otlter 
passions  solicit  and  mislead  us:  but  this — 
runs  away  with  us  by  force,  hurries  us  as 
well  to  our  own,  as  to  another 's  ruin :  it  often 
falls  upon  the  wrong  person,  and  discharges 
its  wrath  on  the  innocent  instead  of  the  guil- 
ty. It  spares  neither  friend  nor  foe  ;  but  tears 
all  to  pieces,  and  casts  human  nature  into  a 
perpetual  warfare. 

VARIETIES. 

All  the  tcorWs — a  stage, 
And  all  the  men  and  women — merely  players  : 
They  have  their  exits,  and  their  entrances ; 
And  one  man,  m  his  time,  plays  many  parts, 
His  acts — being  seven  ages.    At  first,  the  infant, 
Mewling  and  puking  in  the  nurse's  arms ; 
And  then,  the  whining  school-boy,  with  his  satchel, 
And  shining  morning/ace,  creeping  like  snail, 
Unwilingly,  to  school.     And  then,  the  lover; 
Sighing  like  a  furnace,  with  a  woeful  ballad 
Marie  to  his  mistress'  eyebrow:  Then,  a  soldier, 
Full  of  strange  oaths,  and  bearded  like  the  pard, 
Jealous  in  honor,  sudden  and  quick  in  quarrel, 
Seeking  the  bubble  reputation 
Even  in  the  cannon's  mouth  :  And  then  the  justice; 
In  fair  round  belly,  with  good  capon  lined, 
With  eyes  severe,  and  beard  of  formal  cut, 
Full  of  wise  saus  and  modern  instances, 
And  so  he  plays  his  part:  The  sixth  age — shifts 
Into  the  lean  and  slippered  pantaloon  ; 
With  spectacles  on  nose,  and  pouch  on  side; 
His  youthful  hose,  well  saved,  a  world  too  wide 
For  his  shrunk  shank ;  and  his  big  manly  voice, 
Turning  again  toward  childish  treble— pipes, 
And  whistles  in  his  sound :  Last  scene  of  all, 
That  ends  this  strange  eventful  history, 
Is  second  childishness,  and  mere  oblivion; 
Sans  teeth,  sans  eyes,  sans  taste,  sans  everything. 
Charity,  decent,  modest,  easy,  kind, 
Softens  the  high,  and  rears  the  abject  mind ; 
Knows,  with  just  reins,  and  gentle  hand,  to  guide 
Betwixt  vile  shame — and  arbitrary  pride. 
Not  soon  provoked,  she  easily  forgives  ; 
j4nd  much — she  suffers,  as  she.  much — believes. 
Soft  peace  she  brings,  wherever  she  arrives  ; 
She  builds  our  quiet,  as  she  forms  our  lives ; 
Lays  the  rough  paths — of  peevish  nature  even; 
And  opens,  in  each  heart,  a  little  heaven. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


155 


430.  The  Slender  characteristic  of 
Voice.  In  all  cases,  endeavor  to  express  by 
the  voice  and  gesture,  the  sense  and  feeling, 
that  are  designed  to  be  conveyed  by  the 
word*,-  i.  e.  tell  the  whole  truth.  Most  of 
the  following  words,  that  Shakspeare  puts 
Into  the  mouth  of  Hotspur,  descriptive  of  a 
dandy,  requires  the  use  of  this  peculiarity  of 
▼oice,  in  order  to  exhibit  their  full  meaning. 
Conceive  how  a  blunt,  straight-forward,  hon- 
est soldier  would  make  his  defence,  when 
unjustly  accused  by  his  finical  superior,  of 
unsoldier-like  conduct;  and  then  recite  the 
following. 

My  liege — I  did  deny  no  prisoners. 
But  I  remember,  when  the  fght  was  done, 
When  I  was  dry  wilh  rage,  and  extreme  toil, 
Breathless,  and  faint,  leaning  upon  my  sword, 
Came  there  a  certain  lord;  neat,  trimly  dress'd; 
Fresh  as  a  bridegroom ;  and  his  chin,  new  reap'd, 
Showed  like  slubble-\a.n(\ — at  harvest  home. 
He  was  perfumed  like  a  milliner; 
And,  'twixt  h\s  finger  and  his  thumb,  he  held 
A  pouncet-box,  which,  ever  and  anon, 
He  gave  his  nose.    And  still  he  stnWd,  and  talked, 
And  as  the  soldiers — bore  dead  bodies  by, 
He  called  them  untaught  knaves,  unmannerly, 
To  bring  a  slovenly,  unhandsome  corse 
Betwixt  the  wind — and  his  nobility. 
With  many  holiday,  and  lady  terms, 
He  questioned  me ;  amongst  the  rest,  demanded 
My  prisoners,  in  her  majesty's  behalf; 
I  then,  all  smarting  with  my  wounds,  being  gall'd 
To  be  so  pestered  with  a  popinjay, 
Out  of  my  grief—  and  my  impatience, 
Answered  negligently, — I  know  not  what — 
He  should,  or  should  not;  for  he  made  me  mad, 
To  see  him  shine  so  brisk,  and  smell  so  sweet, 
And  talk  so  like  a  waiting  gentlewoman,    [mark,) 
Of  guns,  and  drums,  and  wounds,  (heaven  save  the 
And  telling  me  the  sovreign'st  thing  on  earth, 
Was  spermaceti — for  an  inward  bruise: 
And  that  it  was  great  pity,  (so  it  was,) 
That  vManous  saltpetre — should  be  digged, 
Out  of  the  bowels  of  the  harmless  earth, 
Which  many  a  good,  tall  fellow  had  destroyed 
So  cowardly ;  and,  but  for  these  vde  guns, 
He  would  himself  have  been  a  soldier: 
This  bald,  unjointed  chat  of  his,  my  lord, 
I  answered  indirectly,  as  I  said ; 
And  I  beseech  you,  let  not  his  report 
Come  current,  for  an  accusation, 
Betwixt  my  love,  and  your  high  majesty. 

Number.  Unity — is  an  abstract  concep- 
tion, resembling  primary,  or  incorporeal 
matter,  in  its  general  aggregate;  one — ap- 
pertains to  things,  capable  of  being  num- 
bered, and  may  be  compared  to  matter, 
rendered  visible  under  a  particular  form. 
Number  is  not  infinite,  any  more  than  mat- 
ter is ;  but  it  is  the  source  of  that  indefinite 
divisibility,  into  equal  parts,  which  is  the 
property  of  all  bodies.  Thus,  unity  and  one 
are  to  be  distinguished  from  each  other. 
Plenty — makes  dainty. 


Maxims.  1.  Some  are  alert  in  the  beginning, 
but  negligent  in  the  end.  2.  Fear — is  often  con- 
cealed under  a  show  of  daring.  3.  The  remedy  is 
often  worse  than  the  disease.  4.  A  faint  heart  nev- 
er won  a  fail  lady.  5.  No  man  is  free,  who  does 
not  govern  himself  (>.  An  angry  man  opens  his 
mouth,  and  shuts  his  eyes.  7.  Such  as  give  ear  to 
slanderers,  are  as  bad  as  slanderers  themselves. 
S.  A  cheerful  manner  denotes  a  gentle  nature.  9. 
Proud  looks  lose  hearts,  but  courteous  ivords — win 
them.     10.  Brevity  is  the  soul  of  eloquence. 

Anecdote.  Self -interest.  When  Dr. 
Franklin  applied  to  the  king  of  Prussia  to 
lend  his  assistance  to  America, — "  Pray  Doc- 
tor," says  he,  "  what  is  the  object  you  mean 
to  attain!"  "Liberty,  Sire,"  replied  the  phi- 
losopher; "Liberty!  that  freedom,  which  is 
the  birthright  of  ail  men."  The  king,  after  a 
short  pause,  made  this  memorable  answer : 
"  I  was  born  a  prince,  and  am  become  a  king; 
and  I  will  not  use  the  powers  I  possess,  to 
the  ruin  of  my  own  trade." 

Of  Lying.  Lying  —  supplies  those  who 
are  addicted  to  it — with  a  plausible  apology 
for  every  crime,  and  with  a  supposed  shelter 
from  every  punishment.  It  tempts  them  to 
rush  into  danger  —  from  the  mere  expecta- 
tion of  impunity  ;  and,  when  practiced  with 
frequent  success,  it  teaches  them  to  confound 
the  gradations  of  guilt ;  from  the  effects  of 
which  there  is,  in  their  imaginations,  at 
least  one  sure  and  common  protection.  It 
corrupts  the  early  simplicity  of  youth;  it 
blasts  the  fairest  blossoms  of  genius;  and 
will  most  assuredly  counteract  every  effort, 
by  which  we  may  hope  to  improve  the  tal- 
ents, and  mature  the  virtues  of  those  whom 
it  infects. 

"Varieties.  1.  A  very  moderate  power, 
exercised  by  perseverance,  will  effect — what 
direct  force  could  never  accomplish.  2.  We 
must  not  deduce  an  argument  against  the  use 
of  a  thing,  from  an  occasional  abuse  of  it.  3. 
Should  we  let  a  painful  and  cold  attention  to 
manner  and  voice,  chill  the  warmth  of  our 
hearts,  in  our  fervency  and  zeal  in  a  good 
cause]  4.  Youth  —  often  rush  on,  impetu- 
ously, in  the  pursuit  of  every  gratification, 
heedless  of  consequences.  5.  The  adherence 
to  truth — produces  much  good ;  and  its  ap- 
pearances—  much  mischief.  6.  Every  one, 
who  does  not  grow  better,  as  he  grows  older, 
is  a  spendthrift  of  that  time,  which  is  more 
precious  than  gold.  7.  Obedience  to  the 
truths  of  the  Word,  is  the  life  of  all;  for 
truths  are  the  laws  of  the  heavens,  and  of  the 
church;  obedience — implies  the  reception  of 
them;  so  far  as  we  receive,  so  far  we  are 
alive,  by  the  coming  of  the  kingdom  within 
us. 

Whoe'er,  amidst  the  sons 
Of  reason,  valor,  liberty,  and  virtue, 
Displays  distinguished  merit,  is  a  noble 
Of  Nature's  own  making. 


156 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


431.  Tremor  of  Voice — resembles  the 
trill  in  singing,  and  may  be  indicated  in  this 
manner,  — ~ _^~_~~-v_ ;  the  voice  ranging 
from  a  quarter  of  a  tone,  to  several  tones. 
It  is  made  deep  in  the  throat,  with  a  drop- 
ping of  the  jaw ;  and  when  properly  used, 
it  is  very  effective  and  heart-stirring  :  espe- 
cially, in  the  higher  kinds  of  oratory.  It 
heightens  joy,  mirth,  rapture,  and  exulta- 
tion; adds  pungency  to  scor?i,  contempt,  and 
sarcasm  :  deepens  the  notes  of  sorrow,  and 
enhances  those  of  distress :  often  witnessed 
in  children,  when  manifesting  their  delights. 
There  are  several  degrees,  from  the  gross  to 
the  most  refined. 

433.  1.  Said  Falstaff,  of  his  ragged  regi- 
ment, "  I'll  not  march  through  Coventry 
with  them,  that's  flat ,-  no  eye  hath  seen  such 
scarecrows."  Almost  every  word  requires  a 
kind  of  chuckle,  especially  the  italic  ones ; 
and  by  making  a  motion  with  the  chin,  up 
and  down,  the  shake  of  the  voice  will  corres- 
pond to  the  sign,  -~~^^^~.^^  .  2.  In 
this  example  we  have  an  instance  of  a  refin- 
ed tremor  of  voice ;  but  the  right  feeling  is  ne- 
cessary to  produce  it  naturally.  Queen  Cath- 
arine said,  in  commending  her  daughter  to 
Henry, "  And  a  little  to  love  her,  for  her  moth- 
er's sake .-  who  loved  him — heaven  knows 
how  dearly.'"  The  coloring  matter  of  the 
voice  is  feeling — passion,  which  gives  rise  to 
the  qualities  of  voice;  thus,  we  employ 
harsh  tones  in  speaking  of  what  we  disap- 
prove, and  euphoneous  ones  in  describing  the 
objects  of  love,  complacency,  admiration,  <Src. 
423.  In  extemporaneous  speaking,  or 
speaking  from  manuscript,  (i.  e.  making  it 
talk,)  when  the  speaker  is  under  the  influ- 
ence of  strong  passion,  the  voice  is  apt  to  be 
carried  to  the  higher  pitches:  how  shall  he 
regain  his  medium  pitch  1  by  changing  the 
passion  to  one  requiring  loiu  notes;  thus, 
the  surface  of  his  flow  of  voice,  will  present 
the  appearance  of  a  country  with  mountains, 
hills,  and  dales.  Elocution — relates  more  to 
the  words  and  thoughts  of  others  ;  oratory 
to  our  own.  To  become  a  good  reader  and 
speaker,  one  must  be  perfect  in  elocution, 
which  relates  to  words :  in  logic,  which  re- 
lates to  thoughts ;  and  in  rhetoric,  which  ap- 
pertains to  the  affections :  thus  involving 
ends,  causes,  and  effects. 

Anecdote.    Aged  Gallantry.    A  gallant 
old  gentleman,  by  the  name  of  Page,  who 
was  something  of  a  rhymester,  finding  a  la- 
dy's glove  at  a  watering-place,  presented  it 
to  her,  with  the  following  lines : 
"  If  from  your  glove — you  take  the  letter  g, 
Your  glove — is  love — which  I  devote  to — thee?'1 
To  which  the  lady  returned  the  following 
answer : 

"If  from  your  Page,  you  take  the  letter p, 
Your  page — is  age,— and  that  won't  do  for  me." 


Proverbs.  1.  Proud  persons  have  few  real 
friends.  2.  Mildness — governs  belter  than  ang-er. 
3.  No  hope  should  influence  us  to  do  aril.  4.  Few 
things  are  impossible  to  skill  and  industry.  5. 
Diligence — is  the  mistress  of  success.  6.  Conscience 
is  never  dilatory  in  her  warnings.  7.  A  vain 
hope  flattereth  the  heart  of  afool.  5.  Moiltrnte 
speed  is  a  sure  help  to  all  proceedings.  9.  Liber- 
ality of  knowledge  makes  no  one  the  poorer.  10. 
If  you  endeavor  to  be  honest,  you  struggle  with 
yourself. 

Names.  A  man,  that  should  call  every  thing 
by  its  right  name,  would  hardly  pass  through 
the  streets,  without  being  knocked  down  as  a 
common  enemy. 

Varieties.  1.  In  1S40,  there  were  in  the 
United  States,  five  hundred  and  eighty-four 
thousand  whites,  who  could  not  read  or 
write;  five  thousand,  seven  hundred  and 
seventy-three  deaf  and  dumb  ;  five  thous- 
and and  twenty-four  blind  ;  fourteen  thous- 
and five  hundred  and  eight  insane,  or  idiots, 
and  two  millions  four  hundred  and  eighty- 
seven  thousand  slaves.  2.  As  our  popula- 
tion increases  thirty-four  per  cent,  in  ten 
years,  at  this  rate,  in  1 S50,  our  seventeen 
millions  will  be  twenty-two  millions :  in 
1860,  thirty  millions ;  and  in  1900,  ninety- 
five  millions.  3.  The  regular  increase  of  the 
N.  E.  states  is  fourteen  per  cent ;  of  the  mid- 
dle states  twenty-five  per  cent. ;  of  the  south- 
ern twenty-two  per  cent. ;  and  of  the  west- 
ern— sixty-eight  per  cent.  4.  Many  persons 
are  more  anxious  to  know  who  Melchisedec 
was,  or  what  was  Paul's  thorn  in  the  flesh, 
than  to  know  what  they  shall  do  to  be  saved. 
5.  To  cure  anger,  sip  of  a  glass  of  water,  till 
the  fit  goes  off.  6.  An  infallible  remedy  for 
anxiety — "  cast  thy  burden  upon  the  Lord, 
and  he  shall  sustain  thee." 

TRY  ;   TRY    AGAIN. 

'Tis  a  lesson — you  should  heed, 

Try,  try  again  ; 
If  at  first — you  don't  succeed, 

Try,  try  again  ; 
Then  your  courage  should  appear. 
For.  if  you  will  persevere. 
You  will  conquer,  never  fear ; 

Try,  try  again. 
Once,  or  twice,  though  you  should/af?, 

Try,  try  again  ; 
It  you  would,  at  last,  prevail, 

Try,  try  again  ; 
If  we  strive,  'tis  no  disgrace, 
Though  we  may  not  win  the  race  ; 
What  should  you  do  in  the  case  ? 

Try,  try  again. 
If  you  find  your  task  is  hard, 

Try,  try  again  ; 
Time  will  bring  you  your  reward. 

Try,  try  again; 
All  that  other  folks  can  do, 
Why,  with  patience,  should  not  you  ? 
Only  keep  this  rule  in  vieio, 

Try,  TRY  AGAIN. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


157 


4:24:.  Before  entering  on  a  consideration 
and  illustration  of  the  Pussions,  the  pupil  is 
urged  to  revise  the  preceding  lessons  and 
exercises;  but  do  not  be  deceived  with  the 
idea,  that  thinking  about  them  is  enough, 
or  leading  them  over  silently;  join  practice 
with  thought,  and  the  tffccts  are  yours.  One 
of  the  great  difficuhies  ill  thinking  about 
any  art  or  science,  and  witnessing  the  efforts 
of  others  in  their  presentation,  is — that  one's 
taste  is  so  far  in  advance  of  his  own  practice, 
that  he  becomes  disgusted  with  it,  and  des- 
pairs of  his  success.  Let  us  remember  that 
nothing  is  truly  our  own,  that  we  do  not 
U7iderstand,  love  and  practice. 

hamlet's  instructions  on  delivery. 

Speak  the  speech,  I  pray  you,  as  I  pronounced 
it  to  you;  trippingly  on  the  tongue.  But  if  you 
month  it,  as  many  of  our  players  do,  I  had  as  lief 
the  town-crter  had  spoke  my  lines.  And  do  not 
saw  the  air  too  much  with  your  hand;  but  use  all 
gently;  for  in  the  very  torrent,  tempest,  and,  as  I 
may  say,  whirlwind  of  your  passion,  you  must 
acquire  and  beget  a  temperance,  that  may  give  it 
smoothness.  Oh!  it  olfends  me  to  the  soul,  to  hear 
a  robustious,  periioig-pa.lecl  fellow  tear  a  passion 
to  tatters,  to  very  rags,  to  split  the  ears  of  the 
groundlings;  who,  (for  the  moil  part.)  are  capa- 
ble of  nothing,  but  inexplicable  dumb-show  and 
noise.  I  would  have  such  a  fellow  ivhipp'd  for 
o'erdoing  termagant,  it  out-Herod's  Herod.  Pray 
you,  avoid  it.  Be  not  too  tame,  neither;  but  let 
your  own  discretion  be  your  tutor.  Suit  the  ac- 
tion— to  the  word,  the  word — to  the  action;  with 
this  special  observance,  that  you  o'erstep  not  the 
modesty  of  nature:  for  anything,  so  overdone,  is 
from  the  purpose  of  playing ;  whose  end,  both  at 
ihe  first,  and  now,  was,  and  it — to  hold,  as  'twere, 
the  mirror  up  to  nature;  to  show  virtue  her  own 
feature,  scorn — her  own  image, — and  the  very  age 
and  body  of  the  time,  his/orwi  and  pressure.  Now, 
this  overdone,  or  come  tardy  off,  though  it  may 
make  the  unskillful  laugh,  cannot  but  make  the 
judicious — grieve:  the  censure  of  one  of  which, 
must,  in  your  allowance,  o'erweigh  a  whole  thea- 
tre of  others.  Oh!  there  be  players  that  I  have 
seen  play,  and  heard  others  praise,  and  that  high- 
ly, that,  neither  having  the  accent  of  christian,  nor 
the  gait  of  christian,  pagan,  nor  man,  have  so 
strutted  and  bellowed,  that  I  have  Ihought  some 
of  nature's  journeymen  had  made  men,  and  not 
made  them  well;  they  imitated  humanity  so  abom- 
inably. 

4:23.  Tendencies  of  our  Language. 
As  our  language  abounds  in  monosyllables, 
it  affords  good  means  to  deliver  our  thoughts 
in  few  sounds,  and  thereby  favors  despatch, 
which  is  one  of  our  characteristics ;  and 
when  we  use  words  of  more  than  one  sylla- 
ble, we  readily  contract  them  some,  by  our 
rapid  pronunciation,  or  by  the  omission  of 
some  vowel;  as,  drown'd,  walk'd,  dips;  in- 
stead of  drown-ed,  walk-ed,  dip-peth,  &c; 
and  even  proper  names  of  several  syllables, 
when  familiarized,  often  dwindle  down  into 
monosyllables ;  whereas,  in  other  languages, 
they  receive  a  softer  turn,  by  the  addition 
ot  a  neiv  syllable. 


Proverbs.  1.  Beauty  is  no  longer  amiable, 
than  while  virtue  adorns  it.  2.  Past  services 
should  never  be  forgotten.  3.  A  known  enemy  is 
better  than  a  treacherous  friend.  4.  Don't  engage 
in  any  undertaking,  if  your  conscience  says  no 
to  it.  5.  Benefits  and  injuries  receive  their  value 
from  the  intention.  G.  We  should  give  by  choice, 
and  not  by  hazard.  7.  He,  that  does  good  to  an- 
other, from  proper  motives,  does  good  also  to  him- 
self. 8.  He  that  is  false  to  God  can  never  be  trut 
to  man.  9.  A  good  principle  is  sure  to  produce  a 
good  practice.  10.  None  are  truly  wise,  but  those 
that  are  pure  in  heart. 

Anecdote.  Contrary.  A  woman,  having 
fallen  into  a  river,  her  husband  went  to  look 
for  her,  proceeding  up  stream  from  where 
she  fell  in.  The  bystanders  asked  him  if 
he  was  mad?  she  could  not  have  gone 
against  the  stream.  The  man  answered : 
"  She  was  obstinate  and  contrary  in  her  life- 
time, and  I  suppose  for  certain  she  is  so  at 
her  death.'1'' 

Intuition.  We  cannot  have  an  idea  of 
one,  without  the  idea  of  another  to  which  it 
is  related.  We  then  get  the  idea  of  two, 
by  contemplating  them  both;  referring,  ab- 
stractly, to  one  of  them.  We  say  one  and 
one  are  equal  to  two;  one  one,  is  less  than 
two  ones;  therefore,  one  does  not  equal  two. 
One  and  one,  are  the  parts  of  two,  and  the 
parts  of  a  thing  are  equal  to  the  whole  of  it. 
Thus,  we  come  to  the  knowledge  of  what 
has  been  called  intuitive  proposition,  only 
by  reasoning.  When  such  a  principle  is 
clearly  admitted,  we  cannot  deny  its  truth, 
for  a  moment :  but  it  is  far  from  being, 
strictly  speaking,  an  intuitive  truth. 

Varieties.  1.  The  virtues  of  the  country 
are  with  our  women,  and  the  only  remaining 
hope  of  the  resurrection  of  the  genius  and 
character  of  the  nation,  rests  with  them.  2. 
The  present — is  the  parent  of  the  future.  3. 
The  last  words  of  the  Indian  chief,  who 
died  at  Washington,  in  1824,  were,  "  When 
I  am  gone,  let  the  big  guns  be  fired  over 
me."  4.  Beware  of  turning  away  from  do- 
ing good,  by  thinking  how  much  good  you 
would  do,  if  you  only  had  the  means.  5. 
The  pleasure  of  thinking  on  important  sub- 
jects, with  a  view  to  communicate  our  tho'ts 
to  the  unfolding  minds  around  us,  is  a  most 
exquisite  pleasure.  6.  Principle  and  prac- 
tice must  go  hand  in  hand,  to  make  the 
man,  or  woman.  7.  The  time  is  fast  ap- 
proaching, when  the  mind  will  strike  out 
new  fields,  and  view  itself,  its  Creator,  and 
the  Universe  from  new  positions. 

HOPE. 

Why  do  those  cliffs  of  shadowy  tint  appear, 
More  sweet  than  all  the  landscapes  shining  near? 
'Tis  distance  lends  enchantment  to  the  view, 
And  robes  the  mountain  in  its  azure  hue '. 
Thus  with  delight  we  linger  to  survey 
The  promis'd  joys  of  life's  unmeasur'd  way; 
Thus  from  afar,  each  dim  discover'd  scene, 
More  pleasing  seems  than  all  the  past  hath  been, 
And  every  form  that  fancy  can  repair, 
From  dark  oblivion,  glows  divinely  there. 


158 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


426.  A  just  delivery  consists  in  a  distinct 
articulation  of  words,  pronounced  in  proper 
tones,  suitably  varied  to  the  sense,  and  the 
emotions  of  the  mind;  with  due  observation 
of  accent,  the  several  gradations  of  emphasis  ; 
pauses  or  rests  in  proper  places,  and  well 
measured  degrees  of  time  ;  and  the  whole  ac- 
companied with  expressive  looks,  and  signi- 
ficant gestures.  To  conceive,  and  to  execute, 
are  two  different  things :  the  first  may  arise 
from  study  and  observation ;  the  second  is 
the  effect  of  practice. 

427.  Rules  for  the  v  .  When  ques- 
tions are  not  answered  by  yes  or  no  ;  as,  Who 
is  that  lady"?  In  affirmative  sentences ; 
as — I  am  prepared  to  go  :  language  of  au- 
thority ;  as — Back  to  thy  punishment, 
false  fugitive:  terror;  as  —  The  light 
burns  blue:  surprise;  as — Sir,  I  perceive 
that  thou  art  a  prophet:  reprehension  ; 
as — You  are  very  much  to  blame  for  suffer- 
ing him  to  pass  :  indignation:  Go — false 
fellow,  and  let  me  never  see  your  face 
again  :  contempt  ;  as — To  live  in  awe  of 
such  a  thing  as  /myself:  exclamation  ; 
O  nature !  how  honorable  is  thy  empire ! 
rhetorical  dialogue,  when  one  or  more 
persons  are  represented ;  as — James  said, 
Charles,  go  and  do  as  you  were  bidden;  and 
John  said,  he  need  not  go  at  present,  for  I 
have  something  for  him  to  do.-  and  the 
final  pause  ;  as — All  general  rules  have 
some  exceptions. 

428.  Important  Questions.  1.  Is  there 
more  than  one  God?  2.  Was  the  world  crea- 
ted out  of  nothing?  3.  What  is  the  mean- 
ing of  the  expression,  "  let  us  make  man  in 
our  image,  after  our  likeness  .?"  4.  By  what 
means  can  we  become  happy?  5.  Can  we 
be  a  friend,  and  an  enemy,  at  the  same  time? 
6.  Are  miracles  the  most  convincing  eviden- 
ces of  truth  ?  7.  Will  dying  for  principles, 
prove  any  thing  more  than  the  sincerity  of 
the  martyr '?  8.  Is  it  possible  for  a  created 
being  to  merit  salvation  by  good  works?  9. 
Have  we  lifeofouroiwi;  or  are  we  dependent 
on  God  for  it  every  moment?  10.  What  is 
the  difference  between  good  and  evil?  11. 
Is  any  law  independent  of  its  maker?  12. 
Are  miracles — violations  of  nature's  laws? 

4-29.  Some  think  matter  is  all,  and  man- 
ner Utile  or  nothing ;  but  if  one  were  to 
speak  the  sense  of  an  angel  in  bad  words,  and 
with  a  disagreeable  utterance,  few  would 
listen  to  him  with  much  pleasure  or  profit. 
The  figure  of  .-1  lords,  with  an  awkward  air, 
and  ungraceful  motion,  would  be  disgusting 
instead  of  pleasing. 

Reader,  whosoe'er  thou  art. 
What  thy  Ood  has  given,  impart  ; 
Hide  it  not  within  tlio  ground  ; 
Send  the  cup  of  blessing  round. 


Proverbs.  1.  To  fail,  or  not— to  fail  ;  that 
is  the  question.  2.  He,  that  loveth  pleasure,  shall 
be  a  poor  man.  3.  Flattery  is  a  dazzling  meteor, 
that  casts  a  delusive  glare  before  the  mental  eye 
seduces  the  imagination,  perverts  the  judgment, 
and  silences  the  dictates  of  reason.  4.  Mankind 
are  governed  more  by  feeling  and  impulse,  than 
by  reason  and  refection.  5.  Our  duly  and  true 
interest,  always  unite.  6.  An  occasional  hearty 
laugh,  is  often  an  act  of  wisdom.  7.  No  one  can 
be  great,  who  is  not  virtuous.  8.  We  make  more 
than  half  the  evils  we  feel.  9.  JVo  one  can  esti- 
mate the  value  of  a  pious,  discreet,  and  faithful 
mother.     10.  The  boy — is  the  father  of  the  man. 

Anecdote.  Tallow  and  Talent.  Fletcher, 
bishop  of  Nesmes,  was  the  son  of  a  tallow- 
chandler.  A  great  duke  once  endeavored  to 
mortify  the  prelate,  by  saying  to  him,  at  the 
king's  levee,  that  he  smelt  of  tallow.  To 
which  the  bishop  replied,  "My  lord,  I  am 
the  son  of  a  chandler,  it  is  true,  and  if  your 
lordship  had  been  the  same,  you  would  have 
remained  a  chandler  all  the  days  of  your  life. 

Disinterestedness — is  the  very  flower  of 
all  the  virtues,  a  manifestation — in  the  heart 
of  one  who  feels  and  acts  from  it,  of  heaven 
on  earth, — the  very  reflection  of  the  sun  of 
Parudise.  If  mankind  more  generally,  knew 
how  beautiful  it  is  to  serve  others,  from  the 
love  of  doing  them  good,  there  would  not  be 
so  much  cold  and  narrow  selfishness  in  the 
world.  When  we  have  contributed  most  to 
the  happiness  of  others,  we  are  receptive  our- 
selves of  the  most  happiness. 

Varieties,  1.  Never  repay  kindness  with 
w?kindness.  2.  Is  pride — commendable?  3. 
No  guarantee  for  the  conduct  of  nations,  or 
individuals,  ought  to  be  stronger  than  that 
which  honor  imposes.  4.  True  patriotism 
labors  for  civil  and  religious  liberty  all  over 
the  world — for  universal  freedom  ;  the  liber- 
ty and  happiness  of  the  human  race.  5. 
What  is  charity,  and  what  are  its  fruits?  6. 
When  persons  are  reduced  to  want,  by  their 
own  laziness,  or  vices,  is  it  a  duty  to  relieve 
them  1  7.  To  read  Milton's  Paradise  Lost, 
is  the  pleasure  of  but  few.  8.  The  argu- 
ment of  the  Essay  on  Man,  is  said  to  have 
been  written  by  Bolingbroke,  and  versified 
by  Pope.  9.  Painting,  Sculpture  and  Archi- 
tecture— are  three  suhjects,  on  which  nearly 
all  persons,  of  polite  education,  are  compelled 
to  conceal  ignorance,  if  they  cannot  display 
knowledge.  10.  Is  laboi — a  blessing,  or  a 
a  curse  ? 

Music! — oh!  how  faint,  how  weak! 

Language — fades  I  efore  thy  spell ; 
Why  should  feeling — ever  speak, 

When  thou  canst  breathe  her  soul — so  well. 
Ah  !  why  will  kings— fvr%et— that  they  are  men, 
And  men,  that  they  are  brethren  ?  [the  tiei 

Why  delight — in  human  sacrifice!  Why  burst 
Of  nature,  that  should  knit  their  souls  together 
In  one  soft  band — of  amity  and  love  ? 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


159 


430.  Style.  The  character  of  a  persons 
style  of  reading  and  speaking  depends  upon 
his  moral  perceptions  of  the  ends,  causes,  and 
effects  of  the  composition :  thus,  style  may 
be  considered  the  man  himself,  and,  as  every 
one  sees  and  feels,  with  regard  to  everything, 
according  to  the  state  or  condition  of  his 
mind,  and  as  there  are  and  can  be  no  two 
persons  alike;  each  individual  will  have  a 
manner  and  style  peculiar  to  himself;  tho' 
in  the  main,  that  of  two  persons  of  equal 
education  and  intelligence,  may  be  in  a  great 
degree  similar. 

431.  Rules  for  the  '.  When  ques- 
tions are  answered  by  yes  or  no,  they  gen- 
erally require  the  '.  Exs.  Are  you  well  ? 
Is  he  gone  ?  Have  you  got  your  hat  ?  Do 
you  say  yes?  Can  he  accommodate  me ? 
Will  you  call  and  see  me  ?  But  when  the 
questions  are  emphatic,  or  amount  to  an  affir- 
mative, the v  is  used.  Asre  you  well  ?  As  much 
as  to  say  :  tell  me  whether  you  are  well.  Is 
he  gone  ?  Have  you  done  it?  All  given 
in  an  authoritative  manner.  Hath  he  said 
it,  and  shall  he  not  do  it  ?  He  that  planted 
the  ear,  shall  he  not  hear?  Is  he  a  man, 
that  he  should  repent  ? 

432.  Important  Questions.  1.  Is  the 
casket  more  valuable  than  the  jewel?  2. 
Will  not  the  safety  of  the  community  be  en- 
dangered, by  permitting  the  murderer  to  live? 
3.  Are  theatres — beneficial  to  mankind!  4. 
Did  Napolean  do  more  hurt  than  good  to  the 
world'!  5.  Were  the  Texans  right — in  re- 
belling against  Mexico?  6.  Ought  the  license 
system  to  be  abolished  ?  7.  Is  animal  mag- 
netism true?  S.  Who  was  the  greatest  mon- 
ster— Nero,  or  Catiline?  9.  Should  we  act 
from  policy,  or  from  principle?  10.  Is  not 
the  improvement  of  the  mind,  of  the  first  im- 
portance ? 

Nature.  Man  is  radiant  with  expressions. 
Every  feature,  limb,  muscle  and  vein,  may 
tell  something  of  the  energy  within.  The 
brow,  smooth  or  contracted, — the  eye,  placid, 
dilated,  tearful,  flashing, — the  lip,  calm,  quiv- 
ering, smiling,  curled,  —  the  whole  counten- 
ance, serene,  distorted,  pale,  flushed,  —  the 
hand,  with  its  thousand  motions, — the  chest, 
still  or  heaving, — the  attitude,  relaxed  or  firm, 
cowering  or  lofty, — in  short,  the  visible  char- 
acteristics of  the  whole  external  man, — are 
Nature's  hand-writixg;  and  the  tones  and 
qualities  of  the  voice,  soft,  low,  quiet,  broken, 
agitated,  shrill,  grave,  boisterous,  —  are  her 
oral  language  :  let  the  student  copy  and 
learn.  Nature  is  the  goddess,  and  art  and 
science  her  ministers. 

Since  trifles — make- the  sum  of  human  things, 
And  half  our  misery — from  our  foibles  springs; 
Since  life's  best  joys — consist  in  peace  and  ease, 
And  few — can  save  or  serve,  but  all — can  please  ; 
O  let  the  ungentle  spirit— learn  from  hence, — 
A  small  unkindjiess— is  a  great  offence. 


Maxims.  1.  It  does  not  become  a  law-maker, 
to  become  a  law-breaker.  2.  Friendship  is  strongei 
than  kindred.  3.  Idleness  is  the  sepulchre  of  a  liv- 
ing man.  4.  An  orator,  without  judgment,  is  like  a 
horse  without  a  bridle.  5.  He  that  knows  when  to 
speak,  knows  when  to  be  siletit.  6.  The  truest  end 
of  life— is  to  know  the  life  that  never  ends.  7. 
Wine  lias  drowned  more  than  the  sea.  8.  Impose 
not  on  others  a  burthen  which  you  cannot  bear 
yourself.  9.  He  overcomes  a  stout  enemy,  that 
overcomes  his  own  anger.  10.  Study  mankind 
as  well  as  books. 

Anecdote.  Note  of  Interrogation  (?). 
Mr.  Pope,  the  poet,  who  was  small  and  de- 
formed, sneering  at  the  ignorance  of  a  young 
man,  who  was  very  inquisitive,  and  asked  a 
good  many  impertinent  questions,  inquired 
of  him  if  he  knew  what  an  interrogation 
point  was  ?  "  Yes  sir,"  said  he,  "  it  is  a  little 
crooked  thing,  like  yourself,  that  asks  ques- 
tions." 

Ideas,  acquired  by  taste — are  compound 
and  relative.  If  a  man  had  never  experi- 
enced any  change,  in  the  sensation  produced 
by  external  things,  on  the  organs  of  taste, 
that  which  he  now  calls  sweet,  (if  it  had  been 
the  quality,  subjected  to  the  sense,)  would 
have  conveyed  to  the  mind  no  possible  idea ; 
but,  alternating  with  the  quality  we  call  bit- 
ter, contrariety — produces  the  first  impres- 
sion, and  he  learns  to  distinguish  the  qualities 
by  names.  The  sensation  —  awakened  by 
Madeira  wine,  must  be  very  acute,  to  enable 
a  man  to  discriminate,  accurately,  without  a 
very  careful  comparison.  Let  a  particular 
kind  of  Madeira  wine  remain  a  few  years  on 
the  lees  of  many  other  kinds,  and  who  would 
detect  the  compound  flavor,  but  the  contriver  ? 

Varieties.  1.  Inspire  a  child  with  right 
feelings,  and  they  will  govern  his  actions: 
hence,  the  truth  of  the  old  adage,  Example 
is  better  than  precept.  2.  The  great  difficulty 
is,  that  we  give  rules,  instead  of  inspiring 
sentiments;  it  is  in  vain  to  lead  the  under- 
standing with  rules,  if  the  affections  are  not 
right.  3.  Benjamin  West  states,  that  his  mo- 
ther kissed  him,  eagerly,  when  he  showed  her 
the  likeness  he  had  sketched  of  his  baby  sis- 
ter,- and,  he  adds,  —  that  kiss  made  me  a 
painter.  4.  Lay  by  all  scraps  of  material 
things,  as  well  as  of  knowledge,  and  they 
will  certainly  come  in  use  within  seven  years. 
5.  Gain  all  the  information  you  can,  learn  all 
that  comes  in  your  way,  without  being  intru- 
sive, and  provided  it  does  not  interfere  with 
the  faithful  discharge  of  other  duties.  6.  It 
was  a  maxim  of  the  great  William  Jones, 
never  to  lose  an  opportunity  of  learning 

anything. 

A  wise  man  poor, 

Is  like  a  sacred  book,  that's  never  read; 

To  himself  he  lives,  and  to  all  else  seems  dead: 

This  age— thinks  better  of  a  gilded  fool, 

Than  of  a  threadbare  saint— in  wisdom's  school 


160 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


433.  Style.  The  numerous  examples 
given  throughout  this  work,  afford  the  neces- 
sary means  for  illustrating  all  the  principles 
of  elocution :  let  the  taste,  and  judgment,  as 
well  as  the  abilities  of  the  student — be  test- 
ed by  a  proper  selection  and  application  of 
them.  He  must  not  expect  too  much  from 
others,  nor  take  it  unkindly,  when  thrown 
upon  his  own  resources :  the  best  way  to  in- 
crease our  strength,  is  to  have  it  often  tested. 
All  who  become  orators,  must  make  them- 
selves orators. 

434.  Important  Questions.  1.  If  we 
do  well,  shall  we  not  be  accepted  ?  2.  Which 
is  more  useful,  fire,  or  water  ?  3.  Ought  cir- 
cumstantial evidence  to  be  admitted  in  crim- 
inal cases'!  4.  Can  we  be  too  zealous  in 
rightly  promoting  a  good  cause  I  5.  Which 
is  worse,  a  bad  education,  or  no  education  '! 
6.  Are  not  bigotry  and  intolerance — as  des- 
tructive to  morality,  as  they  are  to  common 
sense  ?  7.  Are  we  not  apt  to  be  proud  of 
that  which  is  not  our  own  ?  8.  Ought  there 
not  to  be  duties  on  imported  goods,  to  en- 
courage domestic  manufactures  ?  9.  Is  sla- 
very right  ?  10.  Have  steamboats  been  the 
cause  of  more  good  than  evil  ? 

435.  Ignorance  and  Error.  It  is  al- 
most as  difficult  to  make  one  unlearn  his  er- 
rors, as  to  acquire  knowledge.  Mai-infor- 
mation is  more  hopeless  than  non-informa- 
tion ;  for  error  is  always  more  busy  than  ig- 
norance. Ignorance — is  a  blank  sheet,  on 
which  we  may  v:rite  ;  but  error — is  a  scrib- 
bled one,  from  which  we  must  first  erase. 
Ignorance — is  contented  to  stand  still,  with 
her  back  to  the  truth;  but  error — is  more 
presumptuous,  and  proceeds  in  the  same  di- 
rection. Ignorance  has  no  light,  but  error 
follows  a  false  one.  The  consequence  is, 
that  error,  when  she  retraces  her  footsteps, 
has  farther  to  go,  before  she  can  arrive  at  the 
truth,  than  ignorance. 

Anecdote.     Virtue  before  Riches.    The- 
mistocles — had  a  daughter,  to  whom  two  men 
were  wishing  to  make  love ;  one — was  very 
rich,  but  a  simpleton,  and  the  other — poor, 
but  a  very  wise  man :  the  father  preferred  the 
latter, — saying, "  I  would  rather  have  a  man 
without  riches,  than  riches  without  a  num." 
The  primal  duties — shine  aloft,  like  stars  ; 
The  charities,  thru  soothe,  and  heal,  and  bless, 
Are  scattered  at  the  feet  of  man,  like  flowers  ; 
The  generous  inclination,  the  just  ride, 
Kind  wishes,  and  good  actions,  and  pure  thoughts. 
No  mystery  is  here  ;  no  special  boon 
For  high,  and  not  for  low  ;  for  proudly  graced, 
And  not  for  meek  of  heart.    The  smoke  ascends 
To  heaven  as  lightly  from  the  cottage  hearth, 
As   from   the   haughty  palace.    lie,  whose   soul 
Ponders  this  true  equality,  may  walk 
The  fields  of  earth— with  gratitude  and  hope. 
Our  wishes  lengthen — as  our  sun  declines. 


Maxims.  1.  Punctuality  begets  confidence, 
and  is  the  sure  road  to  honor  and  respect.  2.  A 
picture  is  a  poem,  without  icords.  3.  Sensible  men 
show  their  sense,  by  saying  much  in  few  words 
4.  He,  who  thinks  to  cheat  another,  cheats  him- 
self. 5.  Pride  is  easily  seen  in  others ;  but  we 
rarely  see  it  in  ourselves.  6.  Wealth  is  not  his 
who  gets  it,  but  his  who  enjoys  it.  7.  A  bad  book 
is  one  of  the  worst  of  thieves.  8.  Toleration 
should  spring  from  charity,  not  from  indifference. 

9.  Too  much  prosperity   makes  most  men  fools. 

10.  He,  who  serves  God,  has  the  best  master  in 
the  world.  11.  One  love  drives  another  out.  12. 
Health  is  better  than  wealth. 

Influence.  Few  are  aware  of  the  full  ex- 
tent of  meaning  contained  in  this  word.  If 
we  can  measure  the  kind  and  quantity  of 
influence,  that  every  variety  of  heat  and  cold 
has  on  the  world  of  matter ;  if  we  can  tell 
the  influence,  that  one  individual  has  on  an- 
other, one  society  on  another,  and  one  na- 
tion on  another,  both  for  time  and  eternity,- 
if  we  can  estimate  the  influence,  that  spir- 
itual beings  have  on  one  another,  and  on 
the  human  race,  collectively,  and  separately ; 
also  the  influence  of  the  Great  Spirit  on  all 
creation,  then,  we  are  able  to  see  and  realize 
the  mighty  meaning  of  this  important  word. 
Contemplate  and  weigh  the  influence,  that 
different  kinds  of  food  and  drink  have  on  the 
human  system,  by  being  appropriated  to  its 
innumerable  parts;  the  influence  on  body 
and  mind  of  keeping  and  violating  the  laws 
of  life,  by  t hinking, feeling,  and  acting ;  the 
influence,  which  a  good  or  bad  person  has  on 
his  associates  and  also  their  influence  on  oth- 
ers, through  all  coming  time,  as  well  as  in  the 
eternal  world,  and  you  will  perceive  some- 
thing of  the  importance  of  ceasing  to  do  evil, 
and  learning  to  do  well ;  of  living  and  jyrac- 
ticing  what  is  good  and  true,  and  thereby 
being  saved  from  all  that  is  evil  and  false. 

Varieties.  1.  Lord  Coke — wrote  the  fol- 
lowing, which  he  religiously  observed;  "Six 
hours  to  sleep,  to  law's  great  study  six,  Four 
spend  in  prayer,  the  rest  to  nature  fix."  2. 
Wm.  Jones,  a  wiser  economist  of  the  fleeting 
hours  of  life,  amended  the  sentiment  thus; 
Seven  hours  to  law,  to  soothing  slumbers 
seven,  Ten  to  the  world  allot,  and  all  to 
heaven.  3.  The  truly  beautiful  and  sublime 
are  to  be  found  within  the  regions  of  nature 
and  probability :  the  fa Ise  sublime  sets  to  it- 
self no  bounds:  it  deals  in  thunders,  earth- 
quakes, tempests,  and  whirlwinds.  4.  Is  it 
any  pain  for  a  bird  to  fly,  a.  fish  to  swim,  or 
a  boy  to  play  ?  5.  Confound  not  vociferation 
with  emphatic  expression;  for  a  whisper 
may  be  as  discriminating  as  the  loudest  tones. 
6.  Speech — is  the  gift  of  God.  7.  Order — is 
the  same  in  the  world,  in  man,  and  in  the 
church ;  man — is  an  epitome  of  all  the  prin- 
ciples of  order. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


161 


436.  Sttle,  &c.  To  accomplish  your  ob- 
ject, study  the  true  meaning  and  character 
of  the  subject,  so  as  to  express  the  whole,  in 
such  a  way  as  to  be  perfectly  understood  and 
felt :  thus,  you  will  transport  your  hearers 
to  the  scene  you  describe,  and  your  earnest- 
ness raise  them  on  the  tiptoe  of  expectation, 
and  your  just  arguments  sweep  everything 
before  them  like  a  mountain-  torrent:  to  ex- 
cite, to  agitate,  and  delight,  are  among  the 
most  powerful  arts  of  persuasion:  but  the 
impressions  must  be  enforced  on  the  mind  by 
a  command  of  all  the  sensibilities  and  sym- 
pathies of  the  soul.  That  your  course  may 
be  ever  ttpward  and  onward,  remember,  none 
but  a  good  man  can  be  a  perfect  orator;  un- 
corrupfed  and  incorruptible  integrity  is  one 
of  the  most  powerful  engines  of  persuasion. 

437.  Important  Questions.  1.  Is  any 
govt  rnment — as  important  as  the  principles 
it  should  protect  and  extend'!  2.  Should  we 
remain  passive,  when  our  country,  or  politi- 
cal rights  are  invaded ?  3.  Are  banks  bene- 
ficial 1  4.  Have  the  crusaders  been  the  cause 
of  more  evil  than  good?  5.  Was  the  war 
waged  against  the  Seminoles  of  Florida,  just? 
6.  Which  is  the  more  important  acquisition, 
wealth,  or  knowledge?  7.  Is  there  any  neu- 
tral ground  between  good  and  evil,  truth  and 
falsehood?  8.  Which  should  we  fear  most, 
the  commission  of  a  crime,  or  the  fear  of  pun- 
ishment ?  9.  By  binding  the  understanding, 
and  forcing  the  judgment,  can  we  mend  the 
heart?  10.  When  proud  people  meet  toge- I 
iher,  are  they  not  always  unhappy?  11.  Is  I 
not  common  sense  a  very  rare  and  valuable  ! 
article  1  12.  What  is  the  use  of  a  body,  with-  I 
out  a  soul? 

438.  Manner  asi  Matter.  The  secret 
of  success  in  Music,  as  well  as  in  Elocution, 
is,  to  adapt  the  manner  perfectly  to  the  mat-  j 
ter :  if  the  subject  be  simple,  such  must  be 
the  manner :  if  it  be  gay  and  lively,  or  solemn  J 
and  dignified,  such,  or  such  must  be  the 
manner  ■  in  addition  to  which,  the  performer 
must  forget  himself,  or  rather  lose  himself  in 
the  subject,  body  and  soul,  and  show  his  re- 
gard to  his  audience,  by  devoting  himself  to 
the  subject :  and  hence  he  must  never  try  to 
show  himself  off:  but  hide  behind  the  thought 
and  feeling,  and  depend  upon  them  to  pro- 
duce the  effect:  if  there  is  any  affectation, 
the  hold  on  the  heart  is  in  that  proportion 
relinquished.  Oh,  when  shall  we  take  our 
appropriate  place  and  regard  use  as  the  grand 
object ! 

But  sure — to  foreign  climes — we  need  not  range, 

Nor  search  the  ancient  records  of  our  race, 
To  learn — the  dire  effect  of  time — and  change, 

Which,  in  ourselves,  alas !  we  daily  trace ; 
Yet,  at  the  darkened  eye,  the  withered  face, 

Or  hoary  hair — 1  never  will  repine  j 
But  spare,  0  Time  t  whate'er  of  menial  grace, 

Of  candor,  love,  or  sympathy  divine  j 
Whate'er  of  fa7tcy's  ray,  or  friendship's  flame  is  mint. 
a! 


Maxims.  1.  Revenge,  however  sweet,  is 
dearly  bought.  2.  Life  is  half  spent,  before  we 
know  what  it  is  to  live.  3.  The  world  is  a  work- 
shop, and  the  icise  only  know  how  to  use  its  tools. 

4.  A  man  is  valued,  as  he  makes  himself  valuable. 

5.  Heaven  is  not  to  be  had,  merely  by  wishing  for 
it.  6.  As  often  as  we  do  good,  we  sacrifice.  7.  Be 
careful  to  keep  your  word,  even  in  the  most  trifling 
matter.  8.  Hearts  may  agree,  tho'  heads  may  dif- 
fer. 9.  Honest  men  are  easily  bound  ;  but  you  can 
never  bind  a  knave.  10.  Experience  keeps  a  dear 
school;  but  fools  will  learn  in  no  other. 

Anecdote.      Cui-ious  Patrhitism.     Some 
years  ago,  one  of  the  convicts  at  Botany  Bay, 
wrote  a  farce,  which  was  acted  with  much 
applause  in  some  of  the  theatres.    Barring- 
ton,  the    notorious  pick-pocket,  wrote    the 
prologue  ,•  which  ended  with  these  lines : 
True  patriots  we  ;  for.  be  it  understood, 
AVe  left  our  country — for  our  country's  good. 
Ignorance— Willfulness.     The  ignor- 
ant— oppose  without  discrimination.    Har- 
vey, for  asserting  the  circulation  of  the  blood, 
was  styled  a  vagabond,  a  quack ;  and  perse- 
cuted, through  life,  by  the  medical  profession. 
In  the  time  of  Francis  I.,  Ambrose  Pare — in- 
troduced the  ligament,  to  staunch  the  blood 
of  an  amputated  limb,  instead  of  boiling  hot 
pitch,  in  which  the  bleeding  stump  had  for- 
merly been  dipped;  and  he  was  persecuted, 
with  the  most  relentless  rancour,  by  the  Fa- 
culty, who  ridiculed  the  idea — of  risking  a 
man's  life  upon  a  thread,  when  boiling  pitch 
had  stood  the  test  for  centuries.    Medicines 
have  been  proscribed  as  poison,  and  then  pre- 
scribed in  great  quantities,-  the  proscriptions 
and  prescriptions  being  both  adopted  with 
equal  ignorance  and  credulity.    There  is  no 
hope  for  man,  but  a  thorough  and  correct 
education  in  the  school  of  truth  and  goodness. 
Varieties.    1.  Does  the  nature  of  things 
depend  on  the  matter,  of  which  they  are 
formed;  or  on  the  laws  of  constitution,  by 
which  matter  is  arranged?    2.  Is  not  veget- 
able matter  formed  from  oxygen  and  hydro- 
gen ;  and  animal  matter  from  these  two  and 
carbon  ?    But   what   are    their   constituent 
parts?    Were  their  essences  created,  or  are 
they  e ternal  ?    3.  What  large  portions  of  the 
icorld  there  are  of  which  we  know  compara- 
tively nothing  .'  and  although  we  are  familiar 
with  our  bodies,  externally,  yet  how  little  of 
their  internals  do  even  the  best  phj-sin1,  i    <t> 
know?    4.  How  much  is  really  known  of 
the  nature  of  mind?  and  yet  there  is  pre- 
sumption enough  in  some,  to  decide  at  once, 
upon  all  the  phenomena  of  the  mind,  and 
prescribe  its  limits.    5.  Thus,  man  clothes 
himself  with  his  fanciful    knmcledge,  and 
plays  such  insane  tricks  before  the  world,  as 
make  the  angels  weep. 

The  fisher — is  out  on  the  sunny  sea, 

And  the  reindeer — bounds  o'er  the  pasture  freej 

And  the  pine — has  a  fringe  of  a  softer  eyven. 

And  the  mow— looks  bright,  where  my  foot  bath  bees. 


162 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


439.  Effective  Style.  The  more  your 
reading  and  speaking  partake  of  the  freedom 
and  ease  of  common  discourse,  (provided 
you  sustain  the  object  and  life  of  the  compo- 
sition) the  more  just,  natural,  and  effective 
will  be  your  style  of  delivery  :  hence  the  ne- 
cessity of  studying  nature,  of  avoiding  all 
affectation,  and  of  never  attempting  that  in 
public,  which  is  beyond  your  ability.  Some 
mar,  or  spoil  what  they  are  going  to  say,  by 
making  so  much  ado  over  it,  thinking  they 
must  do  some  great  thing ;  when  it  isal  most 
as  simple  as — wash  and  be  clean :  whatever 
is  not  natural  is  not  agreeable  or  persuasive. 

440.  Important  Questions.  1.  Were 
any  beings  ever  created  angels  7  2.  Is  it 
right  ever  to  do  wrong  ?  3.  Why  was  a  rev- 
elation necessary  ?  4.  May  we  not  protect 
out  person  and  character  from  assault  ?  5. 
Does  civilization  increase  happiness?  6. 
Which  excites  more  curiosity,  the  works  of 
nature,  or  the  works  of  art?  7.  Ought  a 
witness  to  be  questioned  with  regard  to  his 
religious  opinions,  or  belief?  S.  Was  the 
general  bankrupt  law  a  benefit  to  the  coun- 
try 1  9.  Why  are  we  disposed  to  laugh,  even 
when  our  best  friend  falls  down'!  10.  Which 
is  the  greatest, fait h,  hope,  or  charity?  11. 
Should  controversy  interrupt  our  friendship 
and  esteem  for  each  other'.'  12.  Have  chris- 
tians any  right  to  persecute  each  other  for 
their  opinions  ? 

441.  It  is  much  to  be  regretted,  that  our 
teachers  are  so  illy  qualified  to  instruct  their 
pupils  even  in  the  first  rudiments  of  reading : 
and  they  are  all  so  much  inclined  to  fall  into 
bad  habits,  and  the  imitation  of  faulty  speak- 
ers, that  it  requires  constant  watchfulness  to 
keep  clear  of  the  influences  of  a  wrong  bias, 
and  false,  and  merely  arbitrary  rules.  We 
never  can  succeed  in  this  important  art,  until 
we  take  elementary  instruction  out  of  the 
hands  of  ignoramuses,  and  insist  upon  hav- 
ing persons  fully  competent  to  take  charge 
of  the  cause.  Away  then  with  the  idea,  that 
any  one  can  teach  reading  and  speaking, 
merely  because  they  can  call  the  letters,  and 
speak  the  words  so  as  to  be  understood. 

Operating  Circumstances.  We  are  too 
apt.  in  estimating  a  law.  passed  at  a  remote  peri- 
od, to  combine  in  our  consideration,  all  the  subse- 
quent events,  which  have  had  an  influence  upon 
it  ;  instead  of  conforming  ourselves,  as  we  ought, 
»  the  circumstances,  existing  at  the  time  of  its 
passage. 

So  live,  that,  when  thy  summons  comes — to  join 
The  innumerable  caravan,  that  mnves 
To  the  pale  realms  of  shade,  where  rach  shall  take 
His  chamber — in  the  silent  halls  of  death, 
Thou  go  not,  like  the  </uarry-slave,  at  night, 
Scourged  to  hU  dungeon  j  but,  sustained  and  soothed 
By  an  unfaltering  trust,  approach  thy  grave, 
Like  one,  who  wraps  the  drapery  of  bis  couch 
About  him,  and  lie*  down— lopUasant  dreamt. 


Maxims.  1.  Happiness  is  the  shadow  of 
contentment,  and  rests,  or  moves  forever  with  its 
original  2.  A  drop  of  wisdom  is  worth  a  tun  of 
riches.  3.  Whatever  does  not  stand  with  credit. 
will  not  stand  long.  4.  Business  must  be  attend- 
ed to,  at  the  expense  of  every  thing  else  of  less  im- 
portance. 5.  Our  states  of  mind  differ  as  much 
as  our  spirits  and  temper.  C.  Death — cannot  kill 
what  never  dies, — mutual  love.  7.  If  you  will 
not  hear  reason,  she  will  rap  you  over  your  knuck- 
les. 8.  Open  rebuke  is  better  than  secret  love.  9. 
Good  counsel  is  thrown  away  on  the  arrogant 
and  self -conceited.  10.  He,  who  resolves  to  amend, 
has  God.  and  all  good  beings  on  his  side. 

Anecdote.  Vanity  Reproved.  "I  am 
very  thankful,  that  my  mouth  has  been  open- 
ed to  preach  without  any  learning" — said 
an  illiterate  preacher,  in  speaking  against 
educating  ministers,  to  preach  the  gospel. 
A  gentleman  present  replied,  "  Sir,  a  similar 
event  took  place  in  BaalunCs  time." 

Education — should  give  us  command  of 
every  faculty  of  body,  and  mind — call  out  all 
our  powers  of  observation  and  reflection, 
change  the  creatures  of  impulse,  prejudice 
and  passion,  to  thinking,  reasoning,  and  lov- 
ing beings ;  lead  to  objects  of  pursuits,  and 
habits  of  conduct,  favorable  to  the  happiness 
of  every  individual,  and  to  the  whole  world, 
and  multiply  all  the  means  of  enjoyment, 
an  d  dim  inish  every  temptation  to  v  ice  and  sen- 
suality ;   and  true  education  will  do  all  this. 

"Varieties.    1.  What  is  moral  virtue?    2. 

The  greatest  danger  to  public  liberty,  is  from 
lice  and  idleness.  3.  He,  that  showeth  mer- 
cy, shall  receive  mercy.  4.  Never  attempt 
anything  more,  than  there  is  a  prospect  of 
accomplishing.  5.  Should  not  beasts — as 
well  as  men,  be  treated  with  kindness?  6. 
Rational  liberty — is  diametrically  opposed 
to  the  wildness  of  anarchy.  7.  We  should 
never  ascribe  bad  motives,  when  we  can  sup- 
pose good  ones.  8.  Nothing  is  more  preju- 
dicial— to  the  great  interests  of  a  nation, 
than  uncertain  and  varying  policy.  9.  Is 
it  lawful — to  contend  with  others,  on  any  oc- 
casion. 10.  Prefer  trie  evident  interests  of 
the   community,  to  the  suggestions  of  the 


pride  of  consistency.    10.    Cleanliness - 
next  to  godliness. 

Why  have  those  banished  and  forbidden  legs 
Dared  once  to  touch  a  dust  of  England's  ground  ? 
But  more  than  why— Why  have  they  dared  to  march 
So  many  miles  upon  her  peaceful  bosom  ; 
Frightening  her  pale-faced  villagers  with  war, 
And  ostentation  of  despised  arms? 
Comest  thou  because  the  anointed  king  is  hence  ? 
Why,  foolish  boy,  the  king  is  left  behind, 
Anil  in  my  loyal  bosom  lies  bis  power. 
Were  I  but  now  the  lord  of  such  hot  youth 
As  when  brave  Gaunt,  thy  father,  and  myself, 
Rescued  the  Black  Prince,  that  young  Mars  of  men, 
From  forth  the  ranks  of  many  thousand  French ; 
Oh,  then,  how  quickly  should  this  arm  of  mine, 
Now  prisoner  to  the  palsy,  chastise  thee, 
And  minuter  correction  to  thy  fault ! 


-.3 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


163 


442.  Eloquence.  What  were  all  the 
attributes  of  man,  his  personal  accomplish- 
ments., and  his  boasted  reason,  without  the 
faculty  of  speech  ?  To  excel  in  its  use  is 
the  highest  of  human  arts.  It  enables  man 
to  govern  whole  nations,  and  to  enchant, 
while  he  governs.  The  aristocracy  of  Elo- 
quence is  supreme,  and,  in  a  free  country, 
can  never  be  subdued.  It  is  the  pride  of 
peace,  and  the  glory  of  war:  it  rides  upon 
the  zephyr's  wings,  or  thunders  in  the  storm. 
But  there  is  in  eloquence,  in  painting,  the 
life  of  the  canvas,  which  breathes,  moves, 
speaks,  and  is  full  of  action:  so  is  there  in 
the  dance,  the  poetry  and  music  of  motion, 
the  eloquence  of  action;  whose  power  con- 
sists in  the  wonderful  adaptation  of  the  gra- 
ces of  the  body  to  the  harmonies  of  mind. 
There  is  eloquence  in  every  object  of  taste, 
both  in  art  and  nature;  in  sculpture,  gar- 
dening, architecture,  poetry  and  music;  all 
of  which  come  within  the  scope  and  plan  of 
the  orator,  that  he  may  comprehend  that 
intellectual  relation,  that  secret  clause  in  the 
liberal  professions,  which,  connecting  one 
with  another,  combines  the  influence  of  all. 
Virtue,  alone,  ennobles  human  kind, 

And  power — should  on  her  glorious  footsteps  wait. 

Wisdom — finds  tongues — in  trees;  books — in  run- 
ning streams;  sermons — in  stones,  and  good — in 
xery  thing. 

V'ou  pride  you — on  your  golden  hue;  [too. 

Know — the  poor  g^oie-worm — hath  its  brightness 
When  men  of  judgment— -feel,  and  creep  their  way. 
The  positive — pronounce — without  delay. 
;Tis  good,  and  lovely,  to  he  kind  ; 
But  charily — should  not  he  blind. 
A  little  learning — is  a  dangerous  thing  ; 
Drink  deep — or  taste  not  the  Pierian  springt 
There,  shallow  draughts — intoxicate  the  hrain, 
But,  drinking  largely,  sobers  us  again. 
Ah  me  !  the  laureled  wreath,  thai  murder  wears, 
Blood-nursed  and  watered  with  the  widow's  tears, 
Seems  not  so  foul, — so  tainted, — and  so  dead, 
As  waves  the  night-shade  round  the  sceptic's  bed. 

443.  Music — is  the  oral  language  of  the 
cfft ctio as;  as  words  are  the  natural  language 
of  the  thoughts.  The  notes  of  a  tune  are 
analogous  to  letters;  the  measures — to  words; 
the  strains — to  sentences;  and  the  tune,  or 
musical  piece,  to  a  discourse,  oration,  or  po- 
em. As  there  is  a  great  variety  of  affections , 
and  states  of  affection  in  the  human  mind, 
so  there  is  a  great  variety  of  tunes,  through 
the  medium  of  which  these  affections,  and 
states  of  affection  are  manifested.  There 
are  three  grand  divisions  of  music,  which, 
for  the  sake  of  distinction,  may  be  denomin- 
ated the  -upper,  or  that  which  relates  to  the 
Supreme  Being  ;  the  middle,  or  that  relating 
to  created,  rational  beings,  or  social  music ; 
and  the  lower,  or  what  appertains  to  that 
part  of  creation  below  man — called  descrip- 
tive music. 

Ambition — is  like  love, — impatient — 
Both  of  delays, — and  rivals. 


Maxims.  1.  Old  age  and  faded  flowers,  no 
remedies  can  revive.  2.  Something  should  be 
learned  every  time  a  book  is  opened.  3.  A  truly 
great  man  never  puts  away  the  simplicity  of  the 
child.  4.  The  gem  cannot  be  polished 
friction,  nor  man — perfected,  without  adversity.  5 
The  full  stomach  cannot  realize  the  evils  of  hun- 
ger. 6.  When  thought  is  agitated,  truth  nses.  7. 
A  child  requires  books,  as  much  as  the  merchant 
docs  goods.  8.  Learn  by  the  vices  of  others,  how- 
detestable  your  own  are.  9.  Judge  not  of  nun  or 
things,  at  first  sight.  10.  Reprove  thy  friend  pri- 
vately, and  commend  him  publicly. 

Anecdote.  Sharp  Eeply.  Two  country 
attorneys  overtaking  a  wagoner,  with  two 
span  of  horses,  and,  thinking  to  be  witty  at 
his  expense,  asked  him,  "  How  it  happened, 
that  his  forward  horses  were  so  fat,  and  the 
rear  ones  so  lean  ?"  The  wagoner,  know- 
ing them,  answered,  "  That  his  fore  span 
were  lawyers,  and  the  other — clients." 

Selfishness — seems  to  be  the  complex  of 
all  vices.  The  love  of  self,  when  predom- 
inant, excludes  all  goodness,  and  perverts  all 
truth.  It  is  the  great  enemy  of  individuals, 
societies,  and  communities.  It  is  the  cause 
of  all  irritation  the  source  of  all  evil.  Peo- 
ple, who  are  always  thinking  of  themselves, 
have  no  time  to  be  concerned  about  others; 
their  ow?i  pleasure  or  profit,  is  the  pivot,  on 
which  evert/thing  turns.  They  cannot  even 
conceive  of  disinterestedness,  and  will  laugh 
to  scorn  all,  who  appear  to  love  others,  as 
well  as  themselves.  Selfishness — is  the  very 
essence  of  the  first  original  sin,  and  it  must 
be  corrected,  or  we  are  lost. 

"Varieties.  1.  The  wind,  the  falling  of 
water,  humming  of  bees,  a  sweet  voice  read- 
ing monotonously,  tend  to  produce  sleep ; 
this  is  not  so  much  the  case  with  musical 
tones.  2.  The  trilling  and  quivering  of 
the  voice,  which  please  so  much,  correspond 
to  the  glittering  of  light:  as  the  moonbeams 
playing  on  the  waves.  3.  Falling  from  a  dis- 
cord to  a  co?icord,  which  produces  so  much 
siveetness  in  music,  correspond  to  the  affec- 
tions, when  brought  out  of  a  state  of  dislike; 
and  also  with  the  taste;  which  is  soon  cloy- 
ed with  what  is  sweet  alone.  4.  Music  has 
great  effect  on  mind  and  body,  making  us 
warlike  or  the  reverse,  soft  and  effeminate, 
grave  and  light,  gentle,  kind  and  pitiful, 
&c,  according  to  its  nature,  and  perform- 
ance; the  reason  is,  because  hearing  is  more 
closely  associated  with  feeling  or  spirits, 
than  the  other  senses.  Observe  the  effect  of 
Yankee  Doodle.  God  save  the  King,  Mar- 
seilles Hymn.  &c.  5.  When  music  speaks 
to  the  affection,  affection  obeys;  as  when  na- 
ture speaks,  nature  replies. 

Let  gratitude — in  acts  of  goodness  flow; 

Our  love  to  God,  in  love  to  man  below. 

Be  this  our  joy — to  calm  the  troubled  breast, 

Support  the  weak,  and  succor  the  distress'd; 

Direct  the  taandPrer,  dry  the  widow's  tear; 

The  orphan  guard,  the  sinking  spirit  cheer: 

Tho'  small  our  power  lo  act,  tho'  small  our  skill, 

God— sees  the  heart;  he  judges— by  the  will. 


164 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


444.  There  are  also  three  great  divisions 
in  Poetet,  which  is  closely  allied  to  music; 
and  both  of  them  originate  in  the  will,  or 
affections:  and  hence,  the  words  of  the 
psalm,  hymn,  poem,  and  the  music  in  which 
they  are  sung,  chanted,  or  played,  constitute 
the  forms,  or  mediums,  through  which  the 
affections  and  sentiments  are  bodied  forth.  Is 
not  genuine  music  from  heaven  ?  and  does  it 
not  lead  there  if  not  perverted  ?  M  ay  not  the 
same  be  said  of  poetry  ?  Woe  betide  the  per- 
son, that  converts  them  into  occasions  of  evil ! 

How  blind  is  pride  ;  what  eagles  are  we  still — 
In  matters  that  belong  to  other  men ; 
What  beetles — in  our  own. 

Who  fights 
With  passions,  and  overcomes  them,  is  endued 
With  the  best  virtue.— 
Nature— to  each— allots  his  proper  sphere ; 
But — that  forsaken,  we  like  comets  are  ;     [broke, 
Tossed  thro'  the  void  ;  by  some  rude  shock  we're 
And  all  our  boasted  fire — is  lost  in  smoke. 
Thick  waters — show  no  images  of  things  ; 
Friends — are  each  others'  mirrors,  and  should  be 
Clearer  than  crystal,  or  the  mountain  springs, 
And  free  from  cloud,  design,  or  flattery. 
Tis  virtue,  that  they  want ;  and  wanting  its 
Honor — no  garments  to  their  backs  can  fit. 

445.  The  Uses  of  Eloquence.  In  every 
situation,  in  all  the  pursuits  of  life,  may  be 
seen  the  usefulness  and  benefits  of  eloquence. 
In  whatever  light  we  view  this  subject,  it  is 
evident  that  oratory  is  not  a  mere  castle  in 
the  air :  a  fairy  palace  of  frost-work ;  desti- 
tute of  substance  and  support.  It  is  like  a 
magnificent  temple  of  Parian  marble,  ex- 
hibiting the  most  exact  and  admirable  sym- 
metry, and  combining  all  the  orders,  varieties, 
and  beauties  of  architecture. 

Habits  of  Industry.  It  is  highly  impor- 
tant, that  children  should  be  taught  to  acquire 
habits  of  industry ;  for  whatever  be  their  habits 
while  young,  such,  for  the  most  part,  must  they 
continue  to  be  in  after  life.  Children — are  apt 
to  think  it  a  great  hardship,  to  be  obliged  to  de- 
vote so  much  time  to  occupations,  at  present 
perhaps,  disagreeable  to  them;  but  they  ought 
to  be  made  to  believe,  that  their  tasks  are  not 
only  intended  for  the  informing  of  their  minds, 
but  for  the  bending  of  their  wills.  Good  habits 
are  as  easily  acquired  as  bad  ones;  with  the 
great  advantage  of  being  the  only  true  way  to 
prosperity  and  happiness. 

Anecdote.  Conciseness.  Louis  XIV.  who 
loved  a  concise  style,  one  day  met  a  priest  on 
the  round,  whom  lie  asked  hastily — "  Whence 
come  you  1  where  are  you  going  ?  what  do 
you  want  ?"  The  other  immediately  replied, 
"From  Bruges, — To  Paris, — A  Benefice." 
"  You  shall  have  it,"  replied  the  king. 

Servile  doubt — 
Argues  an  impotence  of  mind,  that  says, — 
We  fear  because  we  dare  not  meet  misfortune. 


Maxims.  1.  Want  of  punctuality  is  a  species 
of  falsehood.  2.  Pay  as  you  go,  and  keep  from 
small  scores.  3.  He,  that  has  his  heart  in  his 
learning,  will  soon  have  his  learning  in  his  heart. 
4.  The  empty  stomach  has  no  ears.  5.  A  man 
may  talk  like  a  wise  man,  and  yet  act  like  a  fool. 
6.  Rather  improve  by  the  errors  of  others,  than 
find  fault  with  them.  7.  The  devil  turns  his 
back,  when  he  finds  the  door  shut  against  him. 
8.  Better  be  upright,  with  poverty,  than  depraved 
with  abundance.  9.  The  value  of  things,  is  never 
so  strongly  realized,  as  when  we  are  deprived  of 
them.  10.  None  are  so  deaf  as  those  who  will 
not  hear. 

Reform.  He,  that  looks  back  to  the  his- 
tory of  mankind,  will  often  see,  that  in  poli- 
tics, jurisprudence,  religion,  and  all  the 
great  concerns  of  society,  reform — has  usu- 
ally been  the  work  of  reason,  slowly  awaken- 
ing from  the  lethargy  of  ignorance,  gradu- 
ally acquiring  confidence  in  her  own  strength, 
and  ultimately  triumphing  over  the  domin- 
ion of  prejudice  and  custom. 

"Varieties.  1.  What  is  mercy  and  its 
uses?  2.  Individuals  and  nations,  fail  in 
nothing  they  boldly  attempt,  when  sustained 
by  virtuous  purpose,  and  determined  resolu- 
tion. 3.  Some  persons'  heads  are  like  bee- 
hives :  not  because  they  are  all  in  a  buzz,  but 
that  they  have  separate  cells  for  every  kind 
of  store.  4.  What  nature  offers,  with  a  smil- 
ing face,  fruit,  herb,  and  grain — are  just 
what  man's  pure  instinct  would  choose  for 
food.  5.  The  majority — ought  never  to 
trample  on  the  feelings,  or  violate  the  just 
rights — of  the  minority  ;  they  should  not 
triumph  over  the  fallen,  nor  make  any  but 
temperate  and  equitable  use  of  their  power. 
6.  Death  is  the  enacted  penalty  of  nature's 
violated  laws.  7.  Was  it  causeless,  that 
washing — was  introduced,  as  a  religious 
rite,  seeing  that  its  observance  is  so  essential 
to  the  preservation  of  health  ? 

And  when  the  soul — is  fullest,  the  hushed  tongue, 
Voicelessly  trembles — like  a  lute  unstrung. 

There's  beauty — in  the  deep  ; 
The  wave — is  bluer  than  the  sky  ; 
And  tho'  the  light— shine  bright  on  high, 
More  sqftly  do  the  sea-gems  glow, 
That  sparkle  in  the  depths  below  ; 
The  rainboio's  tints — are  only  made 
When  on  the  waters  they  are  laid, 
And  sun  and  moon — most  sweetly  shine 
Upon  the  ocean's  level  brine  : 

There's  beauty  in  the  deep. 

There's  music — in  the  deep  : 
It  is  not  in  the  surf's  rough  roar, 
Nor  in  the  whispering,  shelly  shore — 
They — are  bui  earthly  sounds,  that  tell 
How  little — of  the  sea-nymph's  shell, 
That  sends  its  loud,  cleamote  abroad, 
Or  winds  its  softness  through  the  flood, 
Echoes  through  groves — with  coral  gay, 
And  dies,  on  spongy  banks,  away  : 

There's  music  in  the  deep! 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


165 


446.  Our  Field.  The  orator's^eW  is  the 
universe  of  mind  and  matter,  and  his  sub- 
jects, all  that  is  known  of  God  and  man. 
Study  the  principles  of  tilings,  and  never 
rest  satisfied  with  the  results  and  applications. 
All  distinguished  speakers,  whether  they  ever 
paid  any  systematic  attention  to  the  prin- 
ciples of  elocution  or  not,  in  their  most  suc- 
cessful  efforts,  conform  to  them;  and  their 
imperfections  are  the  results  of  deviations 
from  these  principles.  Think  correctly — ra- 
ther than  finely  ;  sound  conclusions  are  much 
better  than  beautiful  conceptions.  Be  useful, 
rather  than  showy;  and  speak  to  the  pur- 
pose, or  not  speak  at  all.  Persons  become 
eminent,  by  the  force  of  mind — the  power 
of  thinking  comprehensively,  deeply,  closely, 
usefully.  Rest  more  on  the  thought, feeling, 
and  expression,  than  on  the  style,-  for  lan- 
guage is  like  the  atmosphere — a  medium  of 
vision,  intended  not  to  be  seen  itself,  but  to 
make  other  objects  seen ;  the  more  transpar- 
ent however,  the  better. 

Hast  thou,  in  feverish,  and  unquiet  sleep, — 
Dreamt — th't  some  merciless  demon  of  the  air, 
Rais'd  thee  aloft, — and  held  thee  by  the  hair, 
Over  the  brow — of  a  doion-looVmg  steep, 
Gaping,  below,  into  a  chasm — so  deep, 
Th't,  by  the  utmost  straining  of  thine  eye, 
Thou  canst  no  resting  place  descry  ; 
Not  e'en  abush — to  save  thee,  shouldst  thou  sweep 
Adown  the  black  descent;  that  then,  the  hand 
Suddenly  parted  thee,  and  left  thee  there, 
Holding — but  by./Jnger-tips,  the  bare 
And  jagged  ridge  above,  that  seems  as  sand, 
To  crumble  'neath  thy  touch? — If  so,  I  deem 
ThU  thou  hast  had  rather  an  ugly  dream. 

447.  Vocal  Music.  In  vocal  music,  there 
is  a  union  of  music  and  language — the  lan- 
guage of  affection  and  thought;  which  in- 
cludes the  whole  man.  Poetry  and  music 
are  sister  arts ;  their  relationship  being  one 
of  heaven -like  intimacy.  The  essence  of 
poetry  consists  in  fine  perceptions,  and  vivid 
expressions,  of  that  subtle  and  mysterious 
analogy,  that  exists  between  the  physical  and 
moral  world ;  and  it  derives  its  power  from 
the  correspondence  of  natural  things  with 
spiritual.  Its  effect  is  to  elevate  the  thoughts 
and  affections  toward  a  higher  state  of  ex- 
istence. 

Anecrtote.  A  powerful  Stimulous.  When 
Lord  Krskine  made  his  debut,  at  the  bar,  his 
agitation  almost  overcame  him,  and  he  was 
just  about  to  sit  down.  "  At  that  moment," 
said  he,  "  I  thought  I  felt  my  little  children 
tugging  at  my  gown,  and  the  idea  roused  me 
to  an  exertion,  of  which  I  did  not  think  my- 
self capable." 

'Tis  not  enough— your  coimsel  still  be  true ; 
Blunt  truths  more  mischief  than  nice  falsehoods  do. 
Men  must  be  taught — as  if  you  taught  them  not, 
And  things  unknown — propos'd  as  things  forgot. 
Without  good-breeding,  truth  is  disapproved; 
That,  only,  makes  superior  sense — helov'd. 


Maxims.  1.  Poverty  of  mind  is  often  con- 
cealed under  the  garb  of  splendor.  2.  Vice— is  in- 
famous, even  in  a  prince;  and  virtue,  honorable. 
even  in  a  peasant.  3.  Prefer  loss— to  unjust  gain, 
and  solid  seme— to  wit.  4.  He,  that  would  be 
well  spoken  of  himself ',  must  speak  well  of  others. 
5.  If  every  one  would  mend  himself,  we  should  all 
be  mended.  6.  A  sound  mind  is  not  to  be  shaken 
with  popular  applause.  7.  The  best  way  to  see 
divine  light,  is  to  put  out  our  own  8.  Some 
blame  themselves  for  the  purpose  of  being  praised. 
9.  Nothing  needs  a  trick,  but  a  trick;  sincerity 
loathes  one.  10.  As  virtue  has  its  own  reward,  so 
vice  has  its  own  punishment. 

What  is  Worth!  The  spirit  of  the  age 
says, — "Worth  —  means  wealth;  and  wis- 
dom— the  art  of  getting  it."  To  be  rich  is 
considered,  by  most  persons — a  merit ;  to  be 
poor,  an  offence.  By  this  false  standard,  it  is 
not  so  important  to  be  wise  and  good,  as  to 
be  rich  in  worldly  wealth ;  thus  it  is,  every 
thing,  as  well  as  every  person,  has  its  price, 
and  may  be  bought  or  sold ;  and  thus — do 
we  coin  our  hearts  into  gold,  and  exchange 
our  souls — for  earthly  gain.  Hence,  it  is  said, 
"  a  man  is  worth  so  much;''' — i.  e.  worth  just 
as  much  as  his  property  or  money,  amount 
to,  and  no  more.  Thus,  wealth,  worth,  or 
gain,  is  not  applied  to  science,  to  knowledge, 
virtue,  or  happiness;  but  to  pecuniary  ac- 
quisition; as  if  nothing  but  gold  were  gain, 
and  everything  else  were  d?-oss.  Thus  the 
body — is  Dives,  clothed  in  purple  and  fine 
linen,  and  faring  sumptuously  every  day; 
while  the  mind — is  Lazarus,  lying  in  rags  at 
the  gate,  and  fed  with  the  crumbs,  that  fall 
from  the  tables  of  Time  and  Sense. 

Varieties.  1.  Instead  of  dividing  man- 
kind into  the  wise  and  foolish,  the  good  and 
wicked,  would  it  not  he  better  to  divide  them 
into  more  or  less  wise  and  foolish,  more  or 
less  good  or  wicked  1  2.  It  was  a  proof  of 
low  origin,  among  the  ancient  Romans,  to 
make  mistakes  in  pronouncing  words;  for  it. 
indicated  that  one  had  not  been  instructed  by 
a  nursury  maid:  what  is  the  inference? 
That  those  maids  were  well  educated ;  par- 
ticularly, in  the  pronunciation  of  the  Latin 
language,  and  were  treated  by  families  as 
favorites.  How  many  nursery  maids  of  our 
day  enjoy  such  a  reputation,  and  exert  such 
an  influence?  Indeed,  how  many  mothers 
occupy  such  a  pre-eminence  ?  Let  wisdom 
and  affection  answer,  and  furnish  the  remedy. 
3.  The  purest  and  best  of  precepts  and  ex- 
amples should  he  exhibited  to  our  youth,  in 
the  development  of  their  minds,  and  tie  for- 
mation of  their  characters. 

The  seas— are  quiet,  when  the  winds  are  o'er; 

So,  calm  are  we,  when  passions — are  no  more ; 

For  then,  we  know  how  roin  it  was — to  boast 

0( fleeting  things,  so  certain  to  be  lost. 

Clouds  of  affliction— from  our  younger  eyes, 

Conceal  that  emptiness,  that  are  descries ; 

The  soul's  dirk  cottage,  latterd  and  decay'd, 

Lets  in  new  light,  through  chinks,  that  time  has  made. 


166 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


448.  The  Human  Voice.  Among  all 
the  wonderful  varieties  of  artificial  instru- 
ments, which  discourse  excellent  music, 
where  shall  we  find  one  that  can  be  compared 
to  the  human  voice  ?  And  where  can  we 
find  an  instrument  comparable  to  the  human 
mind  T  upon  whose  stops  the  real  musician, 
the  poet,  and  the  orator,  sometimes  lays  his 
hands,  and  avails  himself  of  the  entire  com- 
pass of  its  magnificent  capacities  !  Oh !  the 
length,  the  breadth,  the  height,  and  the  depth 
of  music  and  eloquence .'  They  are  high  as 
heaven,  deep  as  hell,  and  broad  as  the  uni- 
verse. 

THE   POWER  OF    IMAGINATION. 

The  lunatic,  the  lover,  and  the  poet, 

Are,  of  imagination — all  compact : 

One — sees  more  devils — than  vast  hell  can  hold ; 

That — is  the  madman  :  the  lover,  all  as  frantic, 

Sees  Helen's  beauty — in  a  brow  of  Egypt : 

The  poet's  eye,  in  afine/renzi/  rolling,  [heaven; 

Doth  glance  from  heaven — to  earth,  from  earth — to 

And,  as  imagination — bodies  forth 

The  forms  of  things  unknown,  the  poefs  pen. 

Forms  them  to  shapes,  and  gives  to  airy  nothing, 

A  local  habitation,  and  a  name. 

449.  Cicero  and  Demosthenes.  An 
orator,  addressing  himself  more  to  the  pas- 
sions, naturally  has  much  passionate  ardor ; 
whilst  another,  possessing  an  elevation  of 
style  and  majestic  gravity,  is  never  cold, 
though  he  has  not  the  same  vehemence: 
in  this  respect  do  these  great  orators  differ. 
Demosthenes — abounds  in  concise  sublimity; 
Cicero, — in  diffuseness:  the  former,  on  ac- 
count of  his  destroying,  and  consuming  ev- 
erything by  his  violence,  rapidity,  strength, 
and  vehemence,  may  be  compared  to  a  hurri- 
cane, or  thunderbolt.-  the  latter,  to  a  wide 
extended  conflagration,  spreading  in  every 
direction,  with  a  great,  constant,  and  irre- 
sistible flame. 

Anecdote.  Envy  and  Jealousy.  Colonel 
Thornton,  of  the  British  army,  could  not  bear 
to  hear  the  Americans  praised.  When  he 
was  at  Charleston,  S.  C,  some  ladies  were 
fMilogising  Washington  ;  to  which  he  replied, 
with  a  scornful  air, "  I  should  be  very  glad  to 
get  a  sight  of  your  Col.  Washington;  I  have 
heard  much  talk  about  him,  but  have  never 
seen  Aim."  "  Had  you  looked  behind  you,  at 
the  battle  of  Cowpens,"  rejoined  one  of  the 
ladies,  -'you  might  easily  have  enjoyed  that 
pleasure." 

WiUi  illustration  simple,  yet  profound,  and  with  unfaltering  zeal 

He  spake  from  a  warm  tieart,  and  made  even  cold  hearts  feel; 

This — is  eloquence — His  the  intense, 

Impassioned /cruor— of  a  mind,  deep  fraught 

With  native  energy,  when  soul,  and  sense 

Burst  forth,  embodied  in  the  burning  thought  ; 

When  look,  emotion,  tone,  and  all  combine  ; 

When  the  whole  man— is  eloquent  with  mind; 

A  form  that  comes  not  to  the  call  or  quest, 

But  from  the  gifted  soul,  and  the  deep  feeling  breast. 

The  farmers  patient  core— and  toil 
Are  oftener  wanting — than  the  soil, 


Maxims.  1.  Blind  men  must  not  undertake  \c 
judge  of colors.  2.  Gamesters  and  racehorses  nev- 
er last  long.  3.  Forgiveness  and  smiles  are  th* 
best  revenge.  4.  They,  are  not  our  best  friend*, 
who  praise,  us  to  our  faces.  5.  An  honest  man's 
word  is  as  good  as  his  bond.  6.  Never  fish  fi>r 
praise ;  it  is  not  worth  the  bait.  7.  None  but  a 
good  man  can  become  a  perfect  orator.  8.  Culti- 
vate a  love  of  truth,  and  cleave  to  it  with  all  yonr 
heart.  9.  Female  delicacy  is  the  best  preservative 
of  female  honor.  10.  Idleness  is  the  refuge  of 
weak  minds,  and  the  holliday  of  fools. 

The  Trine  in  Man.  There  are  three 
things  of  which  human  beings  consist,  the 
soul,  the  mind  and  the  body  ;  the  inmost  i* 
the  soul,  the  mediate  is  the  mind,  and  the 
ultimate  the  body :  the  first  is  that  which  re- 
ceives life  from  Him,  who  is  life  itself;  the 
second,  is  the  sphere  of  the  activities  of  that 
life ;  and  the  third,  is  the  medium  through 
which  those  activities  are  manifested :  but  H 
should  be  remembered,  that  there  is,  as  the 
apostle  says,  "  a  natural  body,  and  there  is 
a  spiritual  body." 

Varieties.  1.  Nature — makes  no  emen- 
dations ;  she  labors  for  all:  her's  is  not  mo- 
saic work.  2.  The  more  there  is  prosaic  jm 
orators,  poets  and  artists,  the  less  are  they 
natural ;  the  less  do  they  resemble  the  copi- 
ous streams  of  the  fountain.  3.  The  more 
there  is  of  progression,  the  more  there  is  of 
truth,  and  nature ;  and  the  more  extensive, 
general,  durable,  and  noble  is  the  effect: 
thus  is  fonned  the  least  plant,  and  the  most 
exalted  man.  4.  Nature  is  everywhere  sim- 
ilar to  herself;  she  never  acts  arbitrarily, 
never  contrary  to  her  laws :  the  same  wis- 
dom and  power  produce  all  varieties,  agreea- 
ble to  one  law,  one  wilL  Either  all  tiling* 
are  subject  to  the  law  of  order,  or  nothing  is. 

Home!  how  thalblessed  word — thrills  the  ear' 

In  it — what  recollections  blend  ! 
It  tells  of  childhood,s  scenes  so  dear, 

And  speaks — of  many  a  cherished  friend. 
O !  through  the  world,  where'er  we  roam, 

Though  sonlshepure — and  lips  be  kind, 
The  heart — with  fondness — turns  to  home, 

Still  turns  to  those — it  left  behind. 
The  bird,  that  soars  to  yonder  shies, 

Though  nigh  to  heaven,  still  seems  unblessed  , 
It  leaves  them,  and  with  rapture  flies 

Downward — to  its  ott»n  much-loved  nest. 
Though  beauteous  scents — may  meet  its  view 

And  breezes  blow — from  balmy  groves, 
With  wing  untired — and  bosom  true, 

It  turns — to  that  dear  spot  it  loves. 
When  heaven — shall  bid  this  soul  depart, 

Th'isform — return  to  kindred  earth, 
May  the  last  throb,  which  swells  my  heart 

Heave,  where  it  started  into  birth. 
And  should  affection — shed  one  tear ; 

Should  friendship — linger  round  my  tomb; 
The  tribute  will  be  doubly  dear, 

When  given  by  those  of  "home,  siveei  home." 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


167 


450.  Poetry — may  be  written  in  rhyme, 
or  blank  verse.  Rhyme  is  the  correspond- 
ence of  sounds,  in  the  ending  of  two  (or 
more)  successive  or  alternate  words  or  sylla- 
bles of  two  or  more  lines,  forming  a  couplet 
or  triplet:  see  the  various  examples  given. 
Rythmus,  in  the  poetic  art,  means  the  rela- 
tive duration  of  the  time  occupied  in  pro- 
nouncing the  syllables ;  in  the  art  of  music 
it  signifies  the  relative  duration  of  the  sound, 
that  enters  into  the  musical  composition : 
see  measures  of  speech  and  song. 

Lo !  the  poor  Indian, — whose  untutored  mind, 
Sees  God  in  clouds,  or  hears  him  in  the  wind : 
His  soul  proud  science — never  taught  to  stray 
Fur  as  the  solar  icalk,  or  milky  way  ; 
Yet.  simple  nature  to  his  hope  has  given, 
Behind  the  cloud-topp'd  hill,  an  humble  heaven; — 
Some  safer  world — in  depth  of ivood  embraced, 
Some  happier  island — in  the  watery  waste; 
Where  slaves,  once  more,  their  native  land  behold, 
No  fiends  torment — no  christians  thirst  for  gold. 

451.  Skips  and  Slides.  By  closely  ob- 
serving the  movements  of  the  voice,  when 
under  the  perfect  command  of  the  mind,  you 
will  see  that  it  changes  its  pitch,  by  leaps  of 
one  or  more  notes,  in  passing  from  word  to 
word,  and  sometimes  from  syllable  to  sylla- 
ble, and  also  slides  upwards  and  downwards  ; 
which  skips  and  slides  are  almost  infinitely 
diversified,  expressing  all  the  shades  of  tho't 
and  feeling,  and  playing  upon  the  minds  of 
the  listeners,  with  a  kind  of  supernatural 
power,  the  whole  range  of  tunes  from  grave 
to  gay,  from  gentle  to  severe.  The  worlds 
of  mind  and  matter  are  full  of  music  and 
oratory. 

Even  age  itself—  is  cheered  with  music  ; 
It  wakes  a  glad  remembrance  of  our  youth, 
Calls  back  past  joys,  and  warms  us  into  transports. 
Nature — is  the  glass — reflecting  God, 
As.  by  the  sea — reflected  is  the  sun. 
Too  glorious  to  be  gazed  on — in  his  sphere. 
The  night 
Hath  been  to  me — a  mote  familiar  face 
Than  that  of  man;  and,  in  her  starry  shade 
Ofditn,  and  solitary  loveliness, 
I  learned  the  language — of  another  world. 
Parting — they  seemed  to  tread  upon  the  air, 
Twin  roses,  by  the  zephyr  blown  apart, 
Only  to  meet  again — more  close,  and  share 
The  inward  fragrance— of  each  other's  heart. 
Nothing  —  is  made   out  of  Nothing. 
Good,  in  his  "  Book  of  Nature,"  contends,  that 
there  is  no  absurdity,  in  the  supposition,  of  God 
creating  something — out  of  nothing;  and  he  main- 
tains, that  the  proposition,  conveying  this  idea,  is 
only  relatively  absurd,  and  not  absolutely.    But  it 
is  absolutely  absurd.    When  God  said,  "Let  there 
be  light,  and  there  was  light,"  light  cannot  be  said 
to  have  been  created  out  of  nothing,  but  from  God 
himself;  not  out  of  God,  but  by  his  Divine  Will, 
through  his  Divine  Truth.     So,  we  may  conceive, 
that  God.  by  his  Will,  made  atmospheric  matter, 
and  then  created  it  in  form. 

Enough  to  live  in  tempest;  die  in  port. 


Maxims.  1 .  It  is  better  to  do  and  not  prom- 
ise, than  to  promise  and  not  perform.  2.  A  benefit 
is  a  common  tie  between  the  giver  and  receiver. 
3.  The  consciousness  of  well  doing  is  an  ample  re- 
ward. 4.  As  benevolence  is  the  most  sociable  of 
all  virtues,  so  it  is  the  most  extensive.  5.  Do  not 
postpone  until  lo-morrow,  what  ought  to  be  done 
Xo-day.  6.  Without  a  fr'mid,  the  world  is  but  a 
wilderness.  7.  The  more  we  know  our  hearts,  the 
less  shall  we  be  disposed  to  trust  in  ourselves.  8. 
Obedience  is  better  than  sacrifice,  and  is  insepera- 
bly  wedded  to  happiness.  9.  We  should  not  run 
out  of  the  path  of  duty,  lest  we  run  into  the  path 
of  danger.  10.  He  doeth  much,  that  doeth  a  thing 
well. 

Anecdote.  Moro,  duke  of  Milan,  having 
displayed  before  the  foreign  embassadors  hi* 
magnificence  and  his  riches,  which  excelled 
those  of  every  other  prince,  said  to  them  : 
"Has  a  man,  possessed  of  so  much  wealth 
and  ■prosperity,  anything  to  desire  in  this 
world?"  "  One  tiling  only,''1  said  one  of 
them,  "  a  nail  to  fix  the  wheel  of  fortune. " 

Swearing.  OF  all  the  crimes,  that  ever 
disgraced  society,  that  of  swearing  admits  of 
the  [east  palliation.  No  possible  benefit  can 
be  derived  from  it ;  and  nothing  but  perverse- 
ness  and  depravity  of  human  nature,  would 
ever  have  suggested  it;  yet  such  is  its  pre- 
valence, that  by  many,  it  is  mistaken  for  a 
fashionable  acquirement,  and  considered,  by 
unreflecting  persons,  as  indicative  of  energy 
and  decision  of  character. 

Varieties.  1.  Duly  sounds  sweetly,  to 
those  who  are  in  the  love,  and  under  the  in- 
fluence of  truth  and  goodness:  its  path  does 
not  lead  thro'  thorny  places ,  and  over  cheer- 
less wastes ;  but  winds  pleasantly,  amid 
green  meadows  and  shady  groves.  2.  A  new 
truth  is,  to  some,  as  impossible  of  discovery, 
as  the  new  world  was  to  the  faithless  cotem- 
poraries  of  Columbus;  they  do  not  believe  in 
such  a  thing;  and  more  than  this,  they  will 
not  believe  in  it:  yet  they  will  sit  in  judg- 
ment on  those  who  do  believe  in  such  a  con- 
traband article,  and  condemn  them  without 
mercy. 

THE   FALLS   OF   NIAGARA. 

The  thoughts  are  strange  that  crowd  into  my  brain. 
While  I  look  upward  to  thee.     It  would  seem 
As  if  God — pour'd  thee  from  his  "  hollow  hand,'" 
And  hung  his  bow  upon  thine  a.wfu\  front; 
And  spoke,  in  that  loud  voice,  which  seem'd  to  hira 
Who  dwelt  in  Patmos — for  his  Saviour's  sake, 
"The  sound  of  many  waters  ;"  and  had  bade 
Thy  food — to  chronicle  the  ages  back. 
And  notch  His  centuries — in  the  eternal  rocks. 

Deep — calleth  unto  deep.    And  what  are  we, 
That  hear  the  question — of  that  twice  sublime? 
O  !  what  are  all  the  notes,  that  ever  rung 
From  war's  vain  trumpet,  by  thy  thundering  side  ' 
Yea.  what  is  all  the  riot — man  can  make 
In  his  short  life,  to  thy  unceasing  roar! 
And  yet,  bold  babbler,  what  art  thou — lo  Him 
Who  drown'd  a  world,  and  heaped  the  waters  far 
Above  its  loftiest  mountains? — a  light  wave, 
That  breaks,  and  whispers — of  its  Maker's  might. 

Say,  what  can  Chloc  want?  she  wants  a  heart. 


168 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


452.  Observations.  No  one  can  ever 
become  a  good  reader,  or  speaker,  by  reading 
in  a  book;  because  what  is  thus  acquired 
is  more  from  thought  than  from  feeling ; 
and  of  course,  has  less  of  freedom  in  it; 
and  we  are,  from  the  necessity  of  the  case, 
more  or  less  constrained  and  mechanical. 
What  we  hear,  enters  more  directly  into  the 
affectuous  part  of  the  mind,  than  what  we  see, 
and  becomes  more  readily  a  part  of  ourselves, 
i.  e.  becomes  conjoined  instead  of  being  ad- 
joined: relatively,  as  the  food  which  we  eat, 

digests  and  is  appropriated,  and  a  plaster 
that  is  merely  stuck  on  the  body.    Thus,  we 
can  see  a  philosophic  reason  why  faith  is 
said  to  come  by  hearing,  and  that  we  walk 
by  faith,  and  not  by  sight :  i.  e.  from  love, 
that  casts  out  the  fear  that  hath  torment ;  that 
fear  which  enslaves  body  and  mind,  instead 
of  making  both/>-ee. 
Ever  distinguish  substances—  from  sound; 
There  is,  in  liberty,  what  gods  approve  ; 
And  only  men,  like  gods,  have  taste  to  share; 
There  is,  in  liberty,  what  pride  perverts, 
To  serve  sedition,  and  perplex  command- 
True  liberty — leaves  all  things  free,  but  guilt ; 
And  fetters  everything — but  art,  and  virtue  ; 
False  liberty— holds  nothing  bound,  but  power, 
And  lets  loose — every  tie,  that  strengthens  law- 
Home — is  man's  ark,  when  trouble  springs  ; 

When  gathering  tempests — shade  his  morrow  ; 
And  icoman's  love — the  bird,  that  brings 

His  peace-branch — o'er  a  flood  ofsorrow. 

453.  CoNQ.ur.RiNG-LovE.  To  learn  al- 
most any  art,  or  science,  appears  arduous,  or 
difficult,  at  first;  but  if  we  have  a  heart  for 
any  work,  it  soon  becomes  comparatively 
easy.  To  make  a  common  watch,  or  a  watch 
worn  in  a  ring ;  to  sail  over  the  vast  ocean, 
&c,  seems  at  first,  almost  impossible ;  yet 
they  are  constantly  practiced.  The  grand 
secret  of  siniplifying  a  science  is  analyzing 
it;  in  beginning  with  what  is  easy,  and  pro- 
ceeding to  the  combinations,  difficult,  most 
difficult:  by  this  method,  miracles  may  be 
wrought :  the  hill  of  science  must  be  ascend- 
ed step  by  step. 

Conceptions.     Would    it  not  be  well  for 
metaphysicians — to    distinguish   between    the 
conception  of  abstract  truth,  and  the  conception 
of  past  perception,  by  calling  the  latter — mental 
perception,  as  contradistinguished  from  all  other  7 
Anecdote.    Rouge.     A  female,  praising 
the  beautiful  c.nlor,  used  by  the  artist  on  her 
rniniaiure,  was  told  by  him,  that  he  did  not 
doubt  she.  was  a  woman  of  good  taste ;  for 
they  both  bought  their  rouge  at  the  same  shop. 
True  philosophy  discerns 
A  ray  of  heavenly  light — .gilding  all  forms 
Terrestrial, — in  the  vast,  the  minute, 
The  vnambignous  footsteps  of  a  God, 
Who  gives  his  lustre — to  an  insect's  wing, 
And  wheels  his  throne,  upon  the  rolling  worlds. 


Maxims.  1.  A  people's  education — is  a  na- 
tion's best  defence.  2.  Let  not  the  sun  go  down 
upon  your  wrath.  3.  Who  aims  at  excellence, 
will  be  above  mediocrity  ;  and  who  aims  at  me- 
diocrity, will  fall  short  of  it.  4.  Forbearance  is 
a  domestic  jewel.  5.  The  affection  of  parents  is 
best  shown  to  their  children,  by  teaching  them 
what  is  good  and  true.  6.  Feeble  are  the  efforts 
in  which  the  heart  has  no  share.  7.  By  taking 
revenge,  a  man  is  but  even  with  his  enemy;  but 
in  passing  it  over — he  is  superior.  8.  Loveliness 
needs  not  the  aid  of  ornament ;  but  is,  when  un- 
adorned, adorned  the  most.  9.  No  one  ever  did, 
nor  ever  can,  do  any  one  an  injury,  without  do- 
ing a  greater  injury  to  himself.  10.  It  is  better 
not  to  know  the  truth,  than  to  hnow  it,  and  not 
do  it. 

Pursuit  of  Knowledge.  He,  that  en- 
larges his  curiosity  after  the  works  of  nature, 
demonstrably  multiplies  the  inlets  to  happi- 
ness ;  therefore,  we  should  cherish  ardor 
in  the  pursuit  of  useful  knowledge,  and  re- 
member, that  a  blighted  spring  makes  a  bar- 
ren year,  and  that  the  vernal  flowers,  how- 
ever beautiful  and  gay,  are  only  intended  by 
nature  as  preparatives  to  autumnal  fruits. 

Varieties.    1.  Business  letters  should  al- 
ways be  written  with  great  clearness  and  per- 
spicuity :    every   paragraph    should    be    so 
plain,  that  the  dullest  fellow  cannot  mistake 
it,  nor  be  obliged  to  read  it  twice,  to  under- 
stand  it.    2.  Lawyers  and  their  clients  re- 
mind one  of  two  rows  of  persons  at  a  fire ; 
one — passing  full  buckets,  the  other  return- 
ing empty  ones.    3.  Thebumpof.se/f-estow* 
is  so  prominent  on  some  men's  heads,  that 
they  can't  keep  their  hats  on  in  a  windy  day. 
4.  A  croiv  will  fly  at  the  rate  of  20  miles  an 
hour;  a    haiok,   40;  and   an  eagle  80.    5. 
The  heaviest  fetter,  that  ever  weighed  down 
the  limbs  of  a  captive,  is  as  the  robe  of  the 
gossamer,  compared  with  the  pledge  of  a 
man  of  honor.    6.  An  envious  person,  wax- 
eth  lean  with  the  fatness  of  his  neighbor.    7, 
Nature — supplies  the  raw  material,  and  edu- 
cation— is  the  manufacturer. 
The  dumb  shall  sing,  the  lame  his  crutch  forego, 
And  leap,  exulting,  like  the  bounding  roe. 
Distrustful  sense  with  modest  caution  speaks; 
It  still  looks  home,  and  short  excursions  makes  ; 
But  rattling  nonsense  in  full  volleys  breaks. 
Come,  gentle  Spring,  etherial  7nildness,  come, 
And.  from  the  bosom  of  yon  dropping  cloud, 
(While  music  wakes  around,)  vailed  in  a  shower 
Of  shadowing  roses,  on  the  plains  descend. 
The  man,  that  dares  traduce,  because  he  can, 
With  safety  to  himself,  is  not  a  man. 
Slandei — meets  no  regards  from  noble  minds  ; 
Only  the  base — believe  what  the  base  utter. 
If  I  lose  mine  honor,  I  lose  myself; 
Mine  honor — is  my  life  ;  both  grow  in  one , 
Take  honor  from  me — and  my  life  is  done. 
He  was  a  man,  take  him  for  all  in  all, 
I  shall  not  look  upon  his  like  again. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


169 


454.     INFLECTIONS     AND      INTONATIONS. 

The  author  is  perfectly  satisfied,  that  most 
of  his  predecessors  have  depended  entirely 
too  much  upon  the  inflections,  to  produce 
variety,  instead  of  upon  the  intonations  of 
the  voice :  the  former,  invariably  makes  me- 
chnnical  readers  and  speakers;  while  the 
latter,  being  founded  in  nature,  makes  natu- 
ral ones :  the  one  is  of  the  liead,  and  is  the 
result  of  thought  and  calculation ,•  and  the 
other  of  the  heart,  and  is  the  spontaneous  ef- 
fusion of  the  affections:  the  former  spreads 
a  tail  before  the  mind;  the  latter  takes  it 
away.  Is  it  not  so?  Choose  ye.  Nature 
knows  a  great  deal  more  than  art ;  listen  to 
her  teachings  and  her  verdict. 

There  are  two  hearts,  whose  movements  thrill 
In  unison,  so  closely  sweet! 
That,  pulse  to  pulse,  responsive  still, 
That  both  must  heave,  or  cease  to  beat ; 
There  are  two  souls,  whose  equal  flow 
In  gentle  streams — so  calmly  run, 
That  when  they  part,  (they  part  ?)  ah  no : 
They  cannot  part, — their  souls  are  one. 
No  marvel  woman  should  love  flowers,  they  bear 
So  much  of  fanciful  similitude 
To  her  own  history;  like  herself,  repaying, 
With  such  sweet  interest,  all  the  cherishing, 
That  calls  their  beauty,  and  their  sweetness  forth  ; 
And,  like  her,  too.  dying — beneath  neglect. 
455.  Ignorance  and  Erhor.    How  fre- 
quently an  incorrect  mode  of  pronunciation, 
and  of  speaking,  is  caught  from  an  ignorant 
nurse,  or  favorite  servant,  which  infects  one 
tlirough  life !   so  much  depends  on  first  im- 
pressions and  habits.    Lisping,  stammering, 
and  smaller  defects,  often  originate  in  the 
same  way,  and  not  from  any  natural  defect, 
or  impediment.      If  parents    and    teachers 
would  consider  the  subject,  they  might  see 
the  importance  of  their  trust,  and  be  induced 
to  fulfill  their  respective  offices  in  a  conscien- 
tious manner :  to  do  wrong,  in  any  way,  is 
a  sin. 

Association  of  Ideas.  We  may  trace 
the  power  of  association — in  the  growth  and 
development  of  some  of  the  most  important 
principles  of  human  conduct.  Thus,  under 
the  feudal  system,  appeals  from  the  baronial 
tribunals  were  first  granted  to  the  royal 
courts,  in  consequence  of  the  delay,  or  refusal 
of  justice ;  afterwards,  they  were  taken,  on 
account  of  the  injustice  or  iniquity  of  the 
sentence.  In  the  same  way,  a  power,  ap- 
pealed to  from  necessity,  is  at  length  resorted 
to  from  choice ;  till  finally,  what  was  once  a 
privilege  is,  in  certain  cases,  exacted  as  an  ob- 
ligation. This  principle  is  full  of  political 
and  social  wisdom,  and  cannot  be  too  deeply 
studied  by  those,  who  wish  to  analyze  the 
causes  and  motives  of  human  conduct. 
The  purest  treasure, — mortal  ties  afford, 
Is — spotless  reputation ;  that — away, 
Men  are  but  gilded  loam,  and  painted  clay. 
22 


Maxims.  1.  The  wise  man  thinks  he  knows 
but  Utile;  the  fool  thinks  he  knows  it  all.  2.  He, 
who  cannot  govern  himself,  cannot  govern  others. 
3.  He  is  a  poor  wretch,  whose  hopes  are  confined 
to  this  world.  4.  He,  who  employs  himself  well, 
can  never  want  for  something  to  do.  5.  Umbrage 
should  never  be  taken,  where  offence  was  never 
intended.  6.  Deride  not  the  unfortunate.  7.  In 
conversation,  avoid  the  extremes  of  talkativeness 
and  silence.  8.  Lawyers'1  gowns  are  often  lined 
with  the  willfulness  of  their  clients.  9.  Good  books 
are  the  only  paper  currency,  that  is  better  than 
silver  or  gold.  10.  No  man  may  be  both 
and  judge.  11 .  At  every  trifle — scorn  to  take  offence. 

Anecdote.  A  Rose.  A  blind  man,  having 
a  shrew  for  his  wife,  was  told  by  one  of  his 
friends,  that  she  was  a  rose.  He  replied,  "  I 
do  not  doubt  it ;  for  I  feel  the  thorns  daily." 

Laconics.  He  who  would  become  dis- 
tinguished in  manhood,  and  eminently  useful 
to  his  country,  and  the  world,  must  be  con- 
tented to  pass  his  boyhood  and  youth  in  ob- 
scuriiy, — learning  that  which  he  is  to  prac- 
tice, when  he  enters  upon  the  stage  of  action. 
There  are  two  Kinds  of  education;  the  liber- 
al and  the  servile;  the  former  puts  us  in 
possession  of  the  principles  and  reasons  of 
actions  and  things,  so  far  as  they  are  capable 
of  being  known  or  interrogated:  the  latter 
stops  short  at  technical  rules  and  methods, 
without  attempting  to  understand  the  reasons 
or  principles  on  which  they  are  grounded. 

Varieties.  1.  We  may  apprehend  the 
works  and  word  of  God,  if  we  cannot  fully 
comprehend  them.  2.  A  man  passes,  for 
what  he  is  worth.  The  world  is  full  of  judg- 
ment-days; and  into  every  assembly,  that  a 
man  enters,  in  every  action  he  attempts,  he 
is  guag'd  and  stamped.  3.  It  is  base,  and 
that  is  the  one  base  thing  in  the  universe,  to 
receive  favor,  and  render  none.  4.  How  shall 
we  know,  that  Washington — was  the  most 
•prudent  and  judicious  statesman,  that  ever 
lived  1  By  carefully  observing  his  actions, 
and  comparing  them  with  those  of  other  men, 
in  like  circumstances.  5.  The  union  of  science 
and  religion,  is  the  marriage  of  earth  and  heav- 
en. 6.  Mankind  can  no  more  be  stationary 
than  an  individual.  7.  The  virtue  of  women 
is  often  the  love  of  reputation  and  quiet. 
Satan's  supposed  speech  to  his  legioxs. 

Princes,  Potentates, 
Warriors,  the  flower  of  Heaven!  once  yours,  now  —lost, 
If  such  astonishment  as  this — can  seize 
Eternal  spirits  ;  or  have  ye  chosen  this  place, 
After  the  toil  of  tattle,  to  repose 
Your  wearied  virtue,  for  the  ease  you  find 
To  slumber  here,  as  in  the  vales  of  Heaven  ? 
Or,  in  this  abject  posture— have  ye  sworn — 
To  av  re  the  Conqueror  !  who  now  beholds 
Cherub — and  seraph — rolling  in  the  flood, 
With  scatter'd  arms  and  ensigns ;  till  anon 
His  swift  pursuers — from  Heaven's  gates — discern 
The  advantage,  and  descending,  tread  us  down, 
Thus  drooping,  or  with  linked  thunderbolts 
Transfix  us  to  the  bottom  of  this  gulf? 
Jwahe,  ARISE,  or  be  forew  fallen  I 


170 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


456.  The  Passions  and  Actions.  The 
human  mind  we  contemplate  under  two 
grand  divisions,  called  Will  and  Understand- 
ing :  the  former  is  the  receptacle,  or  conti- 
nent, of  our  passions,  emotions,  affections; 
the  latter — of  our  thoughts.  To  attend  to 
the  workings  of  mind,  to  trace  the  power 
that  external  objects  have  over  it,  to  discern 
the  nature  of  the  emotions  and  affections, 
and  to  comprehend  the  reasons  of  their  be- 
ing affected  in  a  particular  manner,  must  have 
a  direct  influence  on  our  pursuits,  character 
and  happiness,  as  private  citizens,  and  as 
public  speakers. 

What  nothing  earthly  gives,  or  c&ndestroy, 

The  soul's  calm  sunshine,  and  the  heartfelt  joy, 

Is  virtue's  prize. 

In  faith,  and  hope,  the  world  will  disagree; 

But  all  mankind's  concern — is  charity. 

He  gave  to  mercy — all  he  had,  a  tear  ;       [friend. 

He  gained  from  heaven,  ('twas  all  he  wished,)  a 

In  the  faithful  husbandman — you  see, 

What  all — true  christians — ought  to  be. 

Speak  of  me,  as  I  am  ;  nothing  extenuate, 

Nor  set  down  aught — vamalice. 

Honor,  and  shame,  from  no  condition  rise  ; 

Act  well  your  part,  there  all  the  honor  lies. 

457.  An  accurate  analysis  of  the  passions 
and  affections  is,  to  the  moralist,  as  well  as 
the  student  in  elocution,  what  the  science  of 
anatomy,  and  physiology  is  to  the  physi- 
cian and  surgeon:  it  constitutes  the  first 
principles  of  rational  practice  for  both;  it  is, 
in  a  moral  view,  the  anatomy  of  the  heart ; 
discloses  why  and  how  it  beats;  indicates 
appearances  in  a  sound  and  healthy  state, 
and  detects  diseases,  with  their  causes,  and 
is  much  more  fortimate  in  applying  remedies. 

Stages  of  Progress.  Useful  discoveries 
and  improvements  generally  have  four  distinct 
stages  in  their  progress  to  universality.  The  first 
is,  when  the  theory  is  pronounced  false,  contrary  to 
experience,  absurd  and  unworthy  of  the  attention 
of  sensible  men.  The  second  is,  when  they  are 
claimed  as  having  been  known  before;  thus,  de- 
priving the  medium — of  all  credit  for  more  indus- 
try, discrimination  and  originality,  than  others. 
The  third  is,  when  they  are  denounced  as  perilous 
innovations,  endangering  the  religion  and  morals 
of  society.  The  fourth  is,  when  they  are  receiv- 
ed as  established  truths  by  every  body  ;  the  only 
wonder  being,  that  they  should  ever  have  been 
doubted,  they  are  in  such  perfect  harmony  with 
_ie  laws  of  the  universe. 

Tbe  meck-ey'd  morn  appears,  mother  of  dews, 
At  first,  faint  glimmering— in  the  dappled  east; 
Till,  far  o'er  ether — spreads  the  wid'ning glow ; 
And,  from  before  the  lustre  of  her  face, 
White  break  the  clouds  away.     With  quiclten'd  step, 
Brown  night— retires ;  young  day  pours  in  apace. 
And  opens  all  the  lawny  prospect  wide. 
The  dripping  rock,  the  mountains  misty  top, 
Swell  on  the  sight,  and  brighten — with  the  dawn. 
If,  on  a  sudden,  he  begins  to  rise, 
No  man  that  lives,  can  count  his  enemies. 


Laconics.  1.  All  men,  possessed  of  real 
power,  are  upright  and  honest:  craft  is  but  the 
substitute  of  power.  2.  To  answer  wit  by  reason, 
is  like  trying  to  hold  an  erf  by  the  tail.  3.  Fre- 
quent intercourse  often  forms  such  a  similarity, 
that  we  not  only  assure  a  mental  likeness,  but 
contract  some  resemblance  in  voice  and  features. 
4.  The  more  ideas  included  in  our  own  words,  and 
the  more  cases  an  axiom  is  applied  to.  the  more 
extensive  and  powerful  will  they  be.  5.  The  im- 
provement of  the  internal,  will  also  be  the  im- 
provement of  the  external.  6.  A  little  vice  often 
deforms  the  whole  countenance;  as  one  single 
false  trait  in  a  portrait,  makes  the  whole  a  carri- 
cature.  7.  The  noblest  talents  may  rust  in  indo- 
lence ;  and  the  most  moderate,  by  industry,  may  be 
astonishingly  improved. 

Anecdote.  A  Good  Hint.  A  clergyman 
and  Garrick  the  tragedian,  were  spending 
an  evening  together ;  and  among  other  top- 
ics of  conversation,  that  of  delivery  was  in- 
troduced. The  man  of  the  pulpit  asked  Gar- 
rick, "  Why  is  it,  you  are  able  to  produce  so 
much  more  effect,  with  the  recital  of  your  fic- 
tions, than  we  do.  by  the  delivery  of  the 
most  important  truths .?"  The  man  of  the 
stage  replied — "  My  Lord,  you  speak  truths, 
as  if  they  were  fictions ;  we  speak  fictions, 
as  if  they  were  truths." 

Action.  To  do  an  ill  action  is  base ;  to 
do  a  good  one,  which  involves  you  in  no  dan- 
ger, is  nothing  more  than  common ;  but  it  is 
the  property  of  a  truly  good  man,  to  do  great 
and  good  tilings,  though  he  risk  everything 
by  it. 

"Varieties.  1.  The  coin,  that  is  most  cur- 
rent among  mankind — is  flattery :  the  only 
benefit  of  which  is,  that  by  hearing  what  we 
are  not,  vie  may  be  instructed  what  we  ought 
to  be.  2.  Bring  the  entire  powers  of  your 
mind,  to  bear  on  whatever  study  you  unde*- 
takej  with  a  singleness  of  purpose,  and  you 
will  not  fail  of  success.  3.  The  predomi- 
nance of  a  favorite  study,  affects  ail  the  sub- 
ordinate purposes  of  the  intellect.  4.  Vex 
not  thy  heart,  in  seeking — what  were  far  bet- 
ter unfound.  5.  In  reference  to  certain  prin- 
ciples and  persons,  unstable  people  cry  out, 
at  first,  "  All  hail,  "  —  but  afterwards, 
"crucify!  crucify  !"  6.  Luxury  is  an 
enticing  pleasure,  which  hath  honey  in  her 
mouth,  but  gall  in  her  heart,  and  a  sting  in 
her  embrace.  7.  Let  your  rule  of  action  be, 
to  perform,  faithfully,  and  without  solicitude, 
the  duty  of  the  present  hour ;  let  the  future 
take  care  of  itself. 

7\vo  tasks  are  ours,  to  knoio — and  understand, 
Evil,  and  good,  and  name  their  various  band; 
But  worthier  far,  with  cheerful  will,  to  choose 
Whate'er  is  good,  and  all  the  ill — refuse. 
Why  all  this  toil— for  triumphs  of  an  hour  ? 
What  though  we  wade  in  wealth,  or  soar  in  fame  ? 
Earth's  highest  station  ends  in — "  Here  he  lies :" 
And — lidust — todvst" — concludes  ber  noblest  song. 

Virtue  itself,  'scapes  not  calumnious  strokes. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


171 


458.  The  Passions.  There  are  three 
things  involved  in  the  exhibition  of  the  pas- 
sions; viz.  the  tones  of  the  voice,  the  appear- 
ance of  the  countenance,  and  rhetorical  ac- 
tion; the  first  is  addressed  to  the  ear  only, 
the  latter  to  the  eye.  Here,  then,  is  another 
language  to  learn,  after  the  pupil  has  learned 
the  written,  and  the  vocal  languages:  how- 
ever, the  language  of  the  passions  may  be 
said  to  be  written — by  the  hand  of  Nature. 
Contemplate  the  passions  separately,  and 
combined,  and  seek  for  examples  to  illus- 
trate them. 

For  praise,  too  dearly  loved,  or  warmly  sought, 
Enfeebles  all  internal  strength  of  thought ; 
And  the  weak,  within  ?&ej/"  unblest, 
Leans,  for  all  pleasures,  on  another's  breast. 
Friendship,  like  an  evergreen, 

Will  brave  the  inclement  blast, 
And  still  retain  the  bloom  of  spring, 

When  summer  days — are  past; 
And  tho'  the  wintry  sky  should  lower, 

And  dim  the  cheerful  day, 
She  still  perceives  a  vital  power, 
Unconscious — of  decay. 
Jealousy !  thy  own  green  food, 
Thy  joy — is  vengeance,  death,  and  blood! 
Thy  love — is  wrath!  thy  breath — is  sighs! 
Thy  life — suspicious  sacrifice! 
•159.    Truth.    Some  men  say,  that  " wealth 
is  power" — and  some  that "  talent — is  power" — and 
some  that  "knowledge  —  is  power"  —  and  others, 
that  "authority — is  power" — but  there  is  an  apo- 
thegm, that  I  would  place  on  high  above  them  all, 
when  I  assert,  that,  "truth — is  power."     Wealth 
cannot  purchase,  talent — cannot  refute,  knowledge 
—  cannot  over-reach,  authority  —  cannot   silence 
her;  they  all,  like  Felix,  tremble  at  her  presence: 
cast  her  into  the  sevenfold  heated  furnace  of  the 
tyrant's  wrath — fling  her  into  the  most  tremend- 
ous billows  of  popular  commotion — she  mounts 
aloft  in  the  ark — upon  the  summit  of  the  deluge. 
She  is  the  ministering  spirit,  who  sheds  on  man 
that  bright  and   indestructible   principle  of  life, 
which  is  given,  by  its  mighty  author,  to  illumin- 
ate and  to  inspire  the  immortal  soul — and  which, 
like  himself,  "  is  the  same  yesterday,  to-day,  and 
forever." 

The  wintry  blast  of  death — 
Kills  not  the  buds  of  virtue;  no:  they  spread 
Beneath  the  heavenly  beams — of  brighter  suns, 
Through  endless  ages — into  higher  powers. 
The  scale  of  being — is  a  graduated  thing; 
And  deeper, — than  the  vanities  of  power. 
On  the  vain  pomp  of  glory — there  is  writ— 
Gradation — in  its  hidden  characters. 

EPITAPH. 

Here  rests  his  head — upon  the  lap  of  earth, 

A  youth — to  fortune  and  to  fame  unknown; 
Fair  science— frown 'd  not — on  his  humble  birth, 
And  melancholy — mark'd  him  for  her  own. 
A  dandy — is  a  thing,  that  would 
Be  a  young  lady — if  he  could; 
But,  as  he  can't,  does  all  he  can, 
To  show  the  world — he's  not  a  man. 
The  course  of  true  love — never  did  run  smooth. 


Maxims.  1.  A  well  instructed  people,  only, 
can  be  a  free  people.  2.  To  ask  for  a  living,  with- 
out labor,  would  be  to  ask  for  a  curse,  instead  of  a 
blessing.  3.  No  one  looks  after  his  otcn  ailairs,  as 
well  as  himself.  4.  Fruitless  advice  is  like  pour- 
ing water  on  a  duck's  back.  5.  The  more  our  tal- 
ents are  exercised,  the  more  will  they  become  de- 
veloped* 0.  Unless  the  laws  are  executed  on  the 
great,  they  will  not  be  obeyed.  7.  He,  who  toils 
with  pain,  will  reap  with  pleasure.  8.  The  tor- 
ment of  envy — is  like  sand  in  the  eye.  9.  Laziness 
often  gives  occasion  to  dishonesty.  10.  The  error 
of  an  hour — may  become  the  sorrow  of  a  whole 
life. 

Anecdote.  Father  Aurius  said,  when 
Bourdaloue  preached  at  Rouen,  the  trades- 
men forsook  their  workshops,  the  lawyers 
their  clients,  and  the  physicians  their  sick, 
to  hear  the  orator:  but  when  I  preached 
there,  the  following  year,  I  set  all  things 
right;  every  man  minded  his  own  business. 

Iitixiiry.  When  I  behold  a  fashionable 
table,  set  out  in  all  its  magnificence,  I  fancy 
that  I  see  gouts  and  dropsies,  fevers  and  leth- 
argies, with  other  innumerable  distempers, 
lying  in  ambuscade  among  the  dishes.  Na- 
ture delights  in  the  most  plain  and  simple 
diet.  Every  animal,  but  man,  keeps  to  one 
dish.  Herbs  are  the  food  of  this  species,  fish 
of  that,  and  fiesh  of  a  third.  Man  falls  upon 
every  thing  that  comes  in  his  way ;  not  the 
smallest  fruit  or  excrescence  of  the  earth, 
scarce  a  berry  or  a  mushroom  can  escape  him. 

Varieties.  1.  Without  exertion  and  dili- 
gence, success  in  the  pursuits  of  life,  is  rarely 
attained.  2.  It  is  the  business  of  the  judge 
to  decide  as  to  the  points  of  law,  and  the 
duty  of  the  jurors— to  decide  as  to  the  mat- 
ters of  fact.  3.  The  essence  of  our  liberty 
is — to  do  whatever  we  please,  provided  we 
do  not  violate  any  law,  or  injure  another. 
4.  A  handful  of  common  sense  is  worth  a 
bushel  of  learning.  5.  Few  things  are  more 
injurious  to  our  health  and  constitution,  than 
indulgence  in  luxuries.  6.  Did  God,  after 
creating  the  universe,  and  putting  it  in  mo- 
tion, leave  it  to  itself?  7.  Credit — is  of  in- 
estimable value,  whether  to  a  nation,  or  an 
individual. 

THE   MINISTRY    OF   ANGELS. 

And  is  there  care  in  heaven?  and  is  there  love 
In  heavenly  spirits — to  these  creatures  base, 

That  may  compassion  of  their  evils  move?  [case 
There  is :  else,  much  more  wretched  were  the 
Of  men  than  beasts.    But.  oh !  the  exceeding  grace 

Of  highest  Heaven!  that  loves  his  creatures  so  : 
And  all  his  works — with  mercy  doth  embrace, 

That  blessed  angels  he  sends  to  and  fro, 

To  serve  to  wicked  man, — to  serve  his  wicked/os. 

How  oft — do  they  their  silver  bowers  leave, 
To  come  to  succor  us,  that  succor  want! 

How  oft — do  they,  with  golden  pinions,  cleave 
The  flitting  skies,  like  flying  pursuivant, 
Against  foul  fiends — to  aid  us  militant! 

They  for  us  fight,  they  watch  and  duly  ward, 
And  their  bright  squadrons  round  about  us  plant, 

And  all  for  love,  and  nothing  for  reward: 

Oh!  why  should  the  Lord  to  man  havesuch  regard! 


172 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


TRANQUILLITY,  &c 

460.  Tranquil- 
lity appears  by  the 
open  and  conipos- 
e  d  countenance, 
and  a  general  re- 
pose of  the  whole 
body;  mouth  near- 
ly closed ;  eye- 
brows a  little 
arched;  f  o  r  e- 
head  smooth;  eyes 
passing  with  an 
easy  motion,  from 
one  obj  e  ct  to 
another,  but  not 
dwelling  long  on 
any  ;  cast  of  hap- 
piness, bordering 
on  cheerfulness; 
desiring  to  please  and  be  pleased  ;  gaity,  good 
humor,  when  the  mouth  opens  a  little  more. 

CHEERFULNESS   IN    RETIREMENT. 

Now  my  co-mates,  and  brothers  in  exile, 
Hath  not  old  custom — made  this  life  more  sweet, 
Than  that  of  painted  pomp  ?  Are  not  these  woods 
More  free  from  peril,  than  the  envious  court? 
Here — feel  we  but  the  penalty  of  Adam  ; 
The  season's  difference  ;  as  the  icy  fang, 
And  churlish  chiding  of  the  winter's  wind  ; 
Which,  when  it  bites  and  Woks  upon  my  body, 
Ev'n  till  I  shrink  with  cold,  I  smile  and  say, 
This  is  no  flattery  ;  these  are  counsellors, 
That  feelingly  persuade  me  what  I  am: 
Sweet— are  the  uses  of  adversity, 
That,  like  a  toad,  ugly  and  venomous, 
Wears  yet  a  precious  jeicel  in  its  head. 
And  this  our  life,  exempt  from  public  haunts, 
Finds  tongues,  in  trees,  books,  in  running  brooks, 
Sermons  in  stones,  and  good  in  everything. 

Miscellaneous.  1.  Timidity — often  ob- 
scures the  brightest  powers  of  orators,  at 
their  outset;  like  the  chilling  vapor,  awhile 
retarding  the  beauty  of  a  morning  in  spring; 
but  the  day  of  success,  attained  by  persever- 
ing efforts,  when  it  comes,  will  well  repay  for 
its  late  appearance,  and  its  splendor  more 
than  atone  for  its  morning, shade.  2.  By  tak- 
ing in  the  widest  possible  range  of  authors  of 
all  ages,  one  seems  to  create,  within  himself, 
a  sympathy  for  the  whole  brotherhood  of 
man,  past,  present,  and  to  come,  and  to  ap- 
proximate continually,  to  a  view  of  Univer- 
sal Truth,  tho'  never  attaining  it.  3.  All 
good  speakers  and  writers,  are  addicted  to 
im  it  at  ion :  no  one — can  write  or  speak  well, 
who  has  not  a  strong  sympathy  with,  and  ad- 
miration for — all  that  is  beautiful. 

Anecdote.  A  Pun.  Purcell,  the  famous 
vunster,  being  desired,  one  evening,  when  in 
company,  to  make  an  extempore  pun,  asked, 
"  on  what  sulrjecl  ?"  "  The  king ,-"  was  the 
answer.  "O  sir,"  said  he,  "the  king  is  not 
a  subject." 

I  hate  to  see  a  boy — so  rude, 

That  one  micht  think  him— raised 
In  some  wild  region  of  the  wood, 
And  but  Aa//-civilized. 


Maxims.  1.  The  follies  we  tell  of  others, 
are  often  only  mirrors  to  reflect  our  own.  2. 
Righteousness — exalteth  a  nation;  but  sin — is  a 
reproach  to  any  people.  3.  The  best  mode  o. 
dealing  with  a  quarrelsome  person,  is,  to  keep 
out  of  his  way.  4.  Good  thought,  couched  in  an 
appropriate  simile,  is  like  a  precious  stone,  set  in 
gold.  5.  Great  minds  may  produce  great  vices, 
as  well  as  great  virtues  ;  an  honest  man — is  the 
noblest  work  of  God.  6.  JVature,  and  natural 
causes,  are  nothing  else,  than  the  way  in  which 
Bod  works.  7.  'Tis  use  that  constitutes  posses- 
sion. 8.  No  sooner  is  a  law  made,  than  the  wick- 
ed seek  to  evade  it.  9.  One  lie  draws  ten  mors 
after  it.     10.  Idleness — buries  a  man  alive. 

Irresolution.  In  matters  of  great  con- 
cern, and  which  must  be  done,  there  is  no 
surer  argument — of  a  weak  mind,  than  irre- 
solution ;  to  be  undetermined,  where  the 
case  is  so  plain,  and  the  necessity  so  urgent. 
To  be  always  intending  to  live  a  new  life, 
but  never  to  find  time  to  set  about  it ;  this  is 
as  if  a  man  should  put  off  eating,  and  drink- 
ing, and  sleeping,  from  one  day  and  night  to 
another,  till  he  is  starved  and  destroyed. 

Varieties.  1.  Every  evil,  that  we  con- 
quer,  is  a  benefactor  to  our  souls.  The  Sand- 
wich Islander  believes  that  the  strength  and 
valor  of  the  enemy  he  kills,  passes  into  him- 
self. Spiritually,  it  is  so  with  us ;  for  we 
gain  strength,  from  every  temptation  we 
resist.  2.  It  is  absurd,  to  think  of  hecoming 
good,  in  any  thing,  without  understanding 
and  practicing  what  we  learn.  3.  Have  we 
life  of  our  oivn?  or,  are  we  dependent  on 
God  for  it,  every  moment  of  our  lives  I  7. 
All  the  moments  of  our  lives,  produce  eter- 
nal consequences. 

How  sweet— the  words  at  truth, 
Breathed  from  the  lips — we  love. 
One  alone 

May  do  the  task  of  many,  when  the  mind 

Is  active  in  it. 

Coxcombs — are  of  all  realms,  and  kind  ; 

They're  not  to  sex,  or  age  confined, 

Of  rich,  or  poor,  or  great,  or  small, 

'Tis  vanity— besets  them  all. 

True  happiness — had  no  localities ; 
No  tones  provincial ;  no  peculiar  garb. 
Where  duty  went,  she  went ;  with  justice  went ; 
And  went  with  meekness,  charity,  and  love. 
Where'er  a  tear  was  dried  ;  a  wounded  heart 
Bound  up  ;  a  bruised  spirit — with  the  dew 
Of  sympathy  anointed  ;  or  a  pang 
Of  honest  suffering  soothed  ;   or  injury, 
Repeated  oft,  as  oft — by  love— forgiven  ; 
Where'er  an  evil  passion  was  subdued, 
Or  Virtue's  feeble  embers  fanned  ;  where'er 
A  sin  was  heartily  abjured,  and  left ; 
WThere'er  a  pious  act  was  done,  or  breathed 
A  pious  prayer,  or  wished  a  pious  wish — 
There— was  a  high— and  holy  place,  a  spot 
Of  sacred  light,  a  most  religious  fane. 

Faith— is  not  built— on  disquisition's  ruins. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


173 


JOY ;  DELIGHT 
461.  Jot, 

a  pleasing  ela- 
tion of  mind 
on  the  actual 
or  assured  at- 
lainment  of 
good ;  or  de- 
liverance from 
some  evil. 
When  moder- 
ate, it  opens 
the  counte- 
nance with 
smiles,  and 
throws  a  sun- 
shine of  delec- 
tation over  the 
whole  frame ; 
when  sudden 
and  violent,  it 
is  expressed  by  clapping  the  hands,  exultation 
and  weeping,  raising-  the  eyes  to  heaven,  and  per- 
haps suffusing  them  with  tears,  and  giving  such  a 
spring  to  the  body,  as  to  make  attempts  to  mount 
up  as  if  it  could  fly  :  and  when  it  is  extreme,  goes 
into  transport,  rapture,  and  ecstasy ;  the  voice 
often  raises  on  very  high  pitches,  and  exhilarating; 
it  has  a  wildness  of  look  and  gesture  that  borders 
on  folly,  madness  and  sorrow  ;  hence  the  expres- 
sion, "  frantic  with  joy."  Joy,  mirth,  &c,  produce 
a  rousing,  exciting,  lively  action. 

JOY  EXPECTED. 

Ah!  Juliet,  if  the  measure  of  thy  joy 
Be  heaped,  like  mine,  and  that  thy  skill  be  more 
To  blazen  it,  then  sweeten,  with  thy  breath, 
This  neighbor  air,  and  let  rich  music's  tongue 
Unfold  the  imagin'd  happiness,  that  both 
Receive,  in  either,  by  this  dear  encounter. 

See !  my  lord,        [veins 
Would  you  not  deem  it  brealh'd,  and  that  those 
Did  verily  bear  blood  ?    O  sweet  Paulina, 
Make  me  think  so  twenty  years  together; 
No  settled  senesof  the  world  can  match 
The  pleasure  of  that  madness. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

Talents — ang-ei-bright, 
If  wanting  worth, 
Are  shining  instruments 
In  false  ambition's  hand — to  finish  faults 
Illustrious,  and  give  to  infamy  renown. 
Tis  easiest — dealing  with  the  firmest  mind,   [kind. 
More  just,  when  it  resists,  and  when  it  yields,  more 
A  mirror — has  been  well  defined — 
An  emblem — of  a  thoughtful  mind, 
For,  look  upon  it — when  you  will, 
You  find — it  is  reflecting  still. 
Life — is  a  sea,  where  storms  must  rise  J 
'Tis  folly — talks  of  cloudless  skies  ; 
He.  who  contracts  his  swelling  sail, 
Eludes  the  fury  of  the  gale. 
Anecdote.    A  painter — was  employed  in 
painting  a.  ship,  on  a  stage,  suspended  under 
her  stern.    The  captain,  who  had  just  got 
into  the  boat  to  go  ashore,  ordered  the  cabin 
boy  to  let  go  the  painter.    The  boy  went  aft, 
and  let  go  the  rope  by  which  the  pointer's 
stage  was  held.    The  captain,  surprised  at 
the  boy's  delay,  cried  out, "  Confound  you  for 
a  lazy  dog  ,■  why  don't  you  let  go  the  paint- 
er?"    "He's  gone    sir,"  replied    the    boy, 
"puts  and  all." 

p2 


Maxims.  1.  The  abuse  of  money  is  worse 
than  the  leant  of  it.  2.  Revenge  is  a  mean  plea- 
sure :  but  no  principle  is  more  noble,  than  that  of 
forgiving  injuries.  3.  Without/Wends,  the  world 
is  but  a  wilderness.  4.  Flattery  to  ourselves— does 
not  change  the  nature  of  that  which  is  wrong.  5 
When  a  man  is  not  liked,  whatever  he  does  is 
amiss.  6.  If  a  man  is  unfortunate,  and  reduced  in 
the  world,  it  is  easy  to  find  fault  with  him.  7.  A 
pure  heart  makes  the  tongue  impressive.  8.  A 
man's  best  fortune,  or  his  worst — is  a  wife,  i) 
Health  is  better  than  wealth.  10.  Unexperienced 
persons  think  all  things  easy. 

Free  Scliools ;  or  the  road  to  Honor  open 
to  all.  When  the  rich  man — is  called  from 
the  possession  of  his  treasures,  he  divides 
them  as  he  wills,  among  his  children  and  heirs. 
But  an  equal  Providence  deals  not  so  with 
the  living  treasures  of  the  mind.  There  are 
children,  just  growing  up  in  the  bosom  of 
obscurity,  in  town  and  country,  who  have  in- 
herited nothing  but  poverty  and  health,  and 
who  will,  in  a  few  years,  be  striving,  in  stem 
contention,  with  the  great  intellects  of  the 
land.  Our  system  of  free  schools,  has  opened 
a  straight  way  from  the  threshold  of  every 
abode,  however  humble,  in  the  village,  or  in 
the  city,  to  the  high-places  of  usefulness,  in- 
fluence and  honor.  And  it  is  left  for  each, 
by  the  cultivation  of  every  talent,  by  watch- 
ing, with  an  eagle-eye,  for  every  chance  of 
improvement ;  by  bounding  forward  like  a 
gr«;/-hound,  at  the  most  distant  glimpse  of 
honorable  opportunity ;  by  grappling,  as  with 
hooks,  the  prize,  when  it  is  won  ;  by  redeem- 
ing time,  by  defying  temptation,  and  scorn- 
ing sensual  pleasures ;  to  make  himself  use- 
ful, honored  and  happy. 

Varieties.  1.  God,  who  loveth  all  his 
creatures,  and  is  no  respecter  of  persons, 
would  have  us  be  good  for  our  own  sakes. 

2.  What  is  the  difference,  between  the  love 
of  being  wise,  and   the  love  of  wisdom? 

3.  Every  age  has  its  own  predominant 
features,  taste  and  propensities,  that  each 
may  be  fitted,  and  inclined,  to  discharge  the 
offices  allotted  to  it.  4.  God  has  planted  in 
the  irrational  brute,  memory,  sense,  and  ap- 
petite; but  to  rational  man — he  has  given 
all  these,  and  superadded  thought,  intelli- 
gence, will,  immortal  reason,  and  undying  af- 
fection. 5.  All  orders  of  good  and  truth  are 
capable  of  an  infinite  display  of  the  varieties, 
proper  to  that  order;  and  of  an  infinite  mul- 
tiplication of  each. 

Music  '.  thou  rest  of  life,  and  balm  of  age, 
To  cheer  man's  path— through  this  dark  pilgrimage, 
In  every  state — be  thou  my  partner  made : 
By  night,  by  day,  in  sunshine,  and  in  shade  ; 
Teach  me,  while  here,  the  strain  that  angels  sing, 
From  hearts  devout,  to  Heaven's  Eternal  King; 
Tune  my  last  breath— with  pure  seraphic  tore, 
And  hymn  my  passage— to  the  choir  above. 
So  very  still,  that  echo— seems  to  listen; 
We  almost  hear — the  music  of  the  spheres, 
And  fancy,  that  we  catch  the  notes  of  angels. 


174 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


MIRTH,  JOLLY  LAUGHTER. 


463.  When 
delight  arises 
from  ludicrous 
or  fugitive  amuse- 
ments, in  which 
others  share  with 
us,   it    is    called 

MIRTH.  LAUGHTER 
OR      MERRIMENT ; 

which  opens  the 
mouth  horizon- 
tally, shrivels  the 
nose,  raises  the 
cheeks  high,  les- 
sens the  aperture 
cf  the  eyes,  and 
fills  them  with 
tears. 


INVOCATION  OF  THE  GODDESS  OF   MIRTH. 

But  come,  thou  goddess,  fair  and  free, 

In  heav'n  yclep'd  Euphosyne ; 

And  of  men — heart-easing  mirth; 

"Whom  lovely  Venus  bore  : 

Haste  thee,  nymph,  and  bring  wilh  thee 

Jest  and  youthful  Jolity, 

Quips,  and  cranks,  and  wanton  wiles, 

Noels,  and  becks  and  wreathed  smiles, 

Such  as  hang  on  Hebe's  cheek, 

And  love  to  live  in  dimple  sleek ; 

Sport,  that  wrinkled  Care  derides, 

And  Laughter,  holding  both  his  sides  ; 

Come,  and  trip  it  as  you  go 

On  the  light  fantastic  toe, 

And  in  thy  right  hand — lead  with  thee 

The  mountain-nymph,  sweet  Liberty. 

MIRTH   AND   MELANCHOLY. 

Now,  by  two-headed  Janus, 

Nature  hath  framed  strange  felloivs  in  her  times  ; 

Some,  that  will  evermore  peep  through  their  eyes, 

And  laugh,  like  parrots  at  a  6ag-piper; 

And  others — of  such  vinegar  aspect, 

That  they'll  not  show  their  teeth  in  way  of  smile, 

Though  Nestor  swear  the  jest  be  laughable. 

463.  Theatres.  If  the  lofty  powers  of 
the  master  tragedian  were  concentrated  to 
the  development  of  mind,  in  the  presence 
of  those,  only,  who  can  appreciate  his  gen- 
ius ;  if  the  public  display  of  them,  on  the 
stage,  were  unaccompanied  by  any  of  those 
excressences,  which  cling,  incubus-like,  to 
modern  theatres ;  the  evil  of  which  the  phi- 
lanthropist and  patriot  complain,  would 
seem  to  be  trifling.  But  when  he  throws 
himself  in  the  midst  of  such  scenes,  as  he 
must  necessarily  meet,  in  all  the  theatres  of 
the  present  day,  he  gives  the  sanction  of  his 
presence,  his  example  and  reputation,  to 
some  of  the  most  monstrous  abuses,  which 
exist  among  men.  Although  his  moral  char- 
acter may  be  irreproachable,  yet  a  man  is  al- 
ways known  by  the  company  he  keeps;  and, 
in  spite  of  himself  and  his  friends,  he  is 
identified  Wi\h  all  the  theatres,  in  which  he 
performs :  his  character  is  assimilated  to  his 
debased  associates,  who  boast  of  his  society ; 
and  ape  his  greatness.    It  is  because  he  is 


among  them,  that  they  are  countenanced  by 
so  large  a  portion  of  the  American  people. 

Maxims.  1.  He,  that  hearkens  to  counsel,  is 
wise.  2.  Courage — ought  to  have  eyes,  and  ears, 
as  well  as  arms.  3.  Credit,  lost,  is  like  a  broken 
/oo/ting--glass.  4.  It  is  sweet  to  do  good  unseen 
and  in  secret.  5.  Nature — unites  the  beautiful  with 
the  useful:  hence,  handsome  is,  that  handsome 
does.  6.  The  mob  hath  many  heads,  but  no  brains. 
7.  A  superior  mind  cares  but  little  about  dress,  pro- 
vided it  be  decent.  8.  The  world — is  a  large  and 
interesting  book,  and  is  opened  to  us  day  and 
night.  9.  Vanity — renders  beauty  contemptible. 
10.  Vows,  made  in  storms,  are  forgotten  in  calms; 
because  they  are  the  offspring  of  fear. 

Anecdote.  Play  upon  words.  A  pooi 
drunken  loafer — was  picked  up  in  the  street, 
by  the  watchman,  when  the  following  decis- 
ion was  made :  There  is  no  sense  in  his  head, 
no  cents  in  his  pocket,  and  a  powerful  scent 
in  his  breuth:  he  was  of  course  sent  to  the 
watchhouse. 

The  Feet.  There  are  seven  bones  in  the 
ankle,  five  in  the  metatarsus,  and  fourteen 
phalanges  in  the  foot,  which  are  strongly  fas- 
tened together  by  means  of  a  gristle,  which 
yields — so  as  to  enable  us  to  tread,  with  equal 
ease,  on  level  or  unequal  surfaces.  We  often 
hear  of  the  small  feet  of  the  Chinese  ladies; 
and  we  also  see  some  ladies  in  a  christian 
land  who  try  to  make  themselves  heathens, 
by  wearing  a  very  small  shoe,  under  the  false 
notion,  that  it  is  genteel  to  have  small  feet. 
Genteel  to  have  corns,  impeded  circulation, 
and  all  their  train  of  horrors!  Oh,  when 
shall  we  come  to  our  senses,  leave  off  tight 
shoes,  and  cease  to  worship  the  god  of  fash- 
ion? 

VARIETIES. 

Like  the  lily, 

That  once  was  mistress  of  the  field, 

I'll  hang  my  head,  and  perish. 

Her  suny  locks 

Hang  on  her  temples,  like  a  golden  fleece. 
She  looks  as  clear, 

As  morning  roses,  newly  washed  with  dew. 
There's  nothing  in  the  world  can  make  me  joy  ; 
Life — is  as  tedious — as  a  twice-told  tale, 
Vexing  the  dull  ear  of  drowsy  man. 
Love  is  blind,  and  lovers  cannot  see 
The  petty  follies,  that  themselves  commit. 
How  far  that  little  candle  throws  his  beams! 
So — shines  a  good  deed — in  this  naughty  world. 
Penetration — has  an  aid  of  divination. 

HONESTY. 
Thou  art  full  nf  love  and  honesty, 
And  weigh 'st  thy  words  hefore  thou  giv'st  them  breath. 
Therefore,  these  stops  of  thine  fright  me  the  more: 
For  w  ';  thingi,  in  a  false  disloyal  knave, 
Are  tricks  of  custom  ;  but,  in  a  man  that's  just, 
They  are  close  denotements,  working  from  the  heart, 
That  passions  cannot  rule. 
Gold,  silver,  vases  sculptur'd  high, 
Paint,  marllt,  gems,  and  robes  of  Persian  dye. 
There  are,  who  have  not,  and,  thank  heaven !  there  ore, 
Who,  if  they  have  not,  think  not  worth  their  care. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


175 


ECSTASY,  RAPTURE,  &c. 
464.  Ec- 
stasy, Rap- 
ture, Trans- 
port, express 
an  extraor- 
dinary eleva- 
tion of  the 
spirits,  an  ex- 
cessive ten- 
sion of  mind : 
they  signify 
to  be  out  of 
one's  self,  out 
of  orb's  mind, 
carried  away 
beyond  one's 
self.  Ecsta- 
sy— benumbs 
the  faculties, 
takes  away  the  power  of  speech,  and  sometimes 
of  thought;  it  is  generally  occasioned  by  sudden 
and  unexpected  events:  but  rapture  often  invig- 
orates the  powers  and  calls  them  into  action. 
The  former,  is  common  to  all  persons  of  ardent 
feelings;  especially,  children,  &c,  the  illiterate: 
the  latter  is  common  to  persons  of  superior  minds, 
and  circumstances  of  peculiar  importance. 

What  followed,  was  ail  ecstasy,  and  trances: 

Immortal  pleasures  round  my  swimming  eyes  did  dance. 

By  swift  decrees,  the  love  of  nature  works, 

And  warms  the  bosom,  till  at  last,  sublim'd 

To  rapture  and  enthusiastic  heat, 

We  feel  the  present  Deity. 

Scorns  the  base  earth  and  crowd  below, 

And,  with  a  peering-  wine;,  still  mounts  on  high. 

He  play'd  so  sweetly,  and  so  sweetly  sung, 

That  on  each  note  the  enraptur'd  audience  hung. 

465.  Gakrick.  It  is  believed,  that  this 
tragedian  greatly  surpassed  his  predecessors, 
in  his  genius  for  acting,  in  the  sweetness  and 
variety  of  his  tones,  the  irresistible  magic  of 
his  eye,  the  fire  and  vivacity  of  his  action, 
the  elegance  of  his  attitudes,  and  the  whole 
pathos  of  expression.  The  cause  of  which 
success  was,  his  intimate  and  practical 
knowledge  of  human  natu re.  Example.  A 
certain  gentleman,  on  returning  from  the 
theatre,  asked  his  postillion,  (who  sat  in  his 
private  box,)  what  he  thought  of  the  great 
Mr.  Garrick.  "  Not  much,  my  lord,"  was 
his  reply,  "for  he  talked  and  acted  just  like 
John  and  I  in  the  stable.'1'1  When  this  was 
repeated  to  the  tragedian,  he  declared  it  the 
greatest  compliment  ever  paid  him :  for, 
said  he,  if  nature's  own  children  can't  dis- 
tinguish me  from  themselves,  it  is  a  pretty 
sure  indication  that  I  am  about  right. 

RAPTURES. 

Dal,  in  her  temple's  last  recess  inclos'd, 
On  dullness'  lap,  th'  annointed  head  repos'd. 
Him  close  she  curtains  round — with  vapors  blue, 
And  soft  besprinkles — with  Cimmerian  dew ; 
Then  raptures  high — the  seat  of  sense  o'erflow, 
Which  only  heads — refin'd  from  reason,  know  ; 
Hence,  from  the  straic,  where  Bedlam's  prophet 
He  hears  loud  oracles,  and  talks  with  gods .-     [nods, 
Hence,  the  fool's  paradise,  the  statesman's  scheme, 
The  air-built  castle,  and  the  golden  dream, 
The  -maid's  romantic  wish,  the  chemist's  flame, 
And  poet's  vision  of  eternal/ame. 

How  dost  thou  wear,  and  weary  out  thy  days. 

Restless  ambition;  never  at  an  end. 


Maxims.  1.  He  is  not  wise,  who  is  not  wise 
for  himself.  2.  If  you  wish  a  thing  done,  go :  if  not, 
send.  3.  The  silence  of  the  tongue  is  often  the  elo- 
quence of  the  heart.  4.  The  perfection  of  art  is.  to 
conceal  art.  5.  Every  day  is  a  little  life;  and  a 
ivhole  life  but  a  day  repeated.  6.  We  find  it  hard 
to  forgive  those,  whom  we  have  injured.  7.  Fash- 
ionable women  are  articles  manufactured  by  mil- 
iners  ; 

They  want  but  little — here  below, 
And  want  that  little — for  a  show. 
8.  Do  nothing  you  would  wish  to  conceal.    9.  Ap- 
pearances are  often  deceiving.     10.  Riches  cannot 
purchase  mental  endowments. 

Anecdote.  Look  at  Home.  The  advice 
of  a  girl,  to  Tholes,  a  Milesian  astronomer, 
was  strong  and  practical.  Seeing  him  gaz- 
ing at  the  heavens,  as  he  walked  along,  and 
perhaps  piqued,  because  he  did  not  ca3t  an 
eye  on  her  attractions,  she  put  a  stool  in  his 
path,  over  which  he  tumbled  and  broke  his 
shins.  Her  excuse  was,  that  she  wanted  to 
teach  him,  before  he  indulged  himself  in 
star-gazing,  to  "  look  at  home.'1'' 

VARIETIES. 

A  proper  judge — will  read  each  work  of  wit, 
With  the  same  spirit,  that  its  author  writ. 
It  comes  o'er  the  ear,  like  the  sweet  south  wind, 
Which  breathes  upon  a  bank  of  violets. 
Stealing — and  giving  odor. 
Th't  mind  and  body —  often  sympathize, 
Is  plain;  such — is  this  union,  nature  ties : 
But  then,  as  often  too,  they  disagree, 
Which  proves — the  soul's  superior  progeny. 
Yet  this  is  Rome, 
That  sat  on  her  seven  hills,  and  from  her  throne 
Of  beauty — ruled  the  world. 

Beware  of  desperate  steps;  the  darkest  day, 
(Live  till  to-morrow.)  will  have  passed  away. 
With  pleasure — let  us  own  our  errors  past, 
And  make  each  day — a  critic — on  the  last. 
Thinking — leads    man    to   knowledge. 
He  may  see  and  hear,  and  read  and  learn, 
whatever  he  pleases,  and  as  much  as  he  pleas- 
es :  he  will  never  know  any  thing  of  it,  ex- 
cept  that  which  he  has  thought  over;   that 
which,  by  thinking,  he  has  made  the  pro- 
perty of  his  mind.     Is  it  then  saying  too 
much,  that  man,  by  thinking  only,  becomes 
truly  man.     Take  away  thought  from  man's 
life,  and  what  remains  ? 

>T  was  the  bow  of  Omnipotence:  bent  in  His  hand, 
Whose  grasp  at  creation  the  universe  spann'd  J 
>T  was  the  presence  of  God,  in  a  symbol  sublime  J 
His  vow  from  the  flood  to  the  exit  of  Time ! 
Not  dreadful,  as  when  in  the  whirlwind  he  pleads, 
When  storms  are  his  chariot,  and  lightnings  his  steeds, 
The  black  clouds  his  banner  of  vengeance  unfurl'd, 
And  thunder  his  voice  to  a  guilt  -stricken  world  j — 
Not  such  was  the  rainbow,  that  beautiful  one ! 
Whose  arch  was  refraction,  its  Aey-stone  the  sun; 
A  pavilion  it  seem'd,  which  the  Deity  graced, 
And  justice  and  mercy  met  there,  and  embraced. 
Awhile,  and  it  sweetly  bent  over  the  gloom, 
Like  love  o'er  a  death-enveh,  or  hope  o'er  the  tomb; 
Then  left  the  dark  scene  ;  whence  it  slowly  retired  ; 
As  love  had  just  va?iis/t'd,  or  hope  had  expired* 
Virtue,  not  rolling  sitns— the  mind  matures. 


176 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


LOVE,  &c, 
466.    Love 

gives  a  soft  se- 
renity to  the 
countenance,  a 
languishing  to 
the  eyes,  a 
sweetness  to 
the  voice,  and  a 
tenderness 
to  the  whole 
fra  me  :  fore- 
head smooth 
and  enlarged  ; 
eye-brows  arch- 
ed ;  mouth  a 
little  open; 
when  entreat- 
ing, it  clasps 
the  hands,  with 
intermingled  fingers,  to  the  breast ;  eyes  lan- 
guishing and  partly  shut,  as  if  doating  on  the  ob- 
ject ;  countenance  assumes  the  eager  and  wistful 
look  of  desire,  but  mixed  with  an  air  of  satisfac- 
tion and  repose  ;  accents  soft  and  winning,  voice 
persuasive,  flattering,  pathetic,  various,  musi- 
cal and  rapturous,  as  in  Joy  :  when  declaring, 
the  right  hand,  open,  is  pressed  forcibly  on  the 
breast;  it  makes  approaches  with  the  greatest 
delicacy,  and  is  attended  with  trembling  hesi- 
tancy and  confusion  ;  if  successful,  the  counte- 
nance is  lighted  up  with  smiles  ;  ?nisuccessful 
love  adds  an  air  of  anxiety  and  melancholy. 

467.  To  the  above  may  be  added,  Shaks- 
peare's  description  of  this  affection,  as  given 
by  the  Good  Shepherd,  who  was  requested  to 
tell  a  certain  youth,  what  'tis  to  love  : 
It  is  to  be  all  made  of  sighs  and  tears : 
It  is  to  be  all  made  of  faith  and  service: 
It  is  to  be  all  made  of  fantasy, 
All  made  of  passion,  and  all  made  of  icishes : 
All  adoration,  duty,  and  observance, 
All  humbleness,  all  patience,  and  impatience, 
All  parity,  all  trial,  all  observance. 

LOVE   DESCRIBED. 

Come  hither  boy  ;  if  ever  thou  shalt  love, 
In  the  sweet  pangs  of  it  remember  me  : 
For  such  as  /am — all — true  lovers  are  : 
Unstaid  and  skittish  in  all  motions  else  ;[belov'd. 
Save  in  the  constant  image  of  the  creature,  that  is 

LANGUISHING   LOVE. 

O  fellow,  come,  the  song  we  had  last  night : 

Mark  it  Cesario  ;  it  is  old  and  plain  ; 

The  spinsters,  and  the  knitters  in  the  sun,  [bones, 

And  the  free  maids,  lhat  weave  their  threads  with 

Do  use  to  chant  it ;  it  is  silly,  sooth, 

And  dallies  with  the  innocence  of  love, 

Like  to  old  age. 

Hail,  wedded  love,  mysterious  law,  true  source 

Of  human  offspring,  sole  propriety 

In  paradise,  of  all  things  common  else  I 

By  thee  adult'rous  hist — was  driv'n  from  men 

Among  the  bestial  herds  to  range  ;  by  thee 

Founded  in  reauon,  loyal,  just,  and  pure, 

Relations  dear,  and  all  the  charities 

Of  father,  son,  and  brother,  first  were  known. 

Here,  love  his  golden  shafts  employs,  here  lights 

His  constant  lamp,  and  waves  his  purple  wings, 

Reigns  here  and  revels  :  not  in  the  bought  smile 

Of  harlots,  loveless,  joyless,  uncvih  ur'il, 

Casual  fruition;  not  in  court  amours, 

Mix'd  dance,  or  wanton  mask,  or  midnight  ball. 


Maxims.  1.  We  must  strike  while  the  iron 
is  hot ;  but  we  must  sometimes  make  the  iron  hot 
by  striking.  2.  Books  are  to  the  young,  what 
capital  is  to  the  man  ofbusiness.  3.  It  is  not  good 
husbandry,  to  make  a  child's  fortune — great,  and 
his  mind — poor.  4.  Some — excuse  their  ignorance, 
by  pretending,  that  their  taste  lies  in  another  di- 
rection. 5.  Reading,  makes  a  full  man,  and  think- 
ing, a  correct  man.  6.  Not  the  pain,  but  the 
cause— makes  the  martyr.  7.  Learn  some  useful 
art  or  trade,  that  you  may  be  independent  of  the 
caprice  of  fortune.  8.  Nothing  is  harder  for  hon- 
est people,  than  to  be  denied  the  privilege  of 
speaking  their  minds.  9.  Some — are  penny-wise, 
and  pound-foolish.  10.  A  true  friend  sometimes 
ventures  to  be  offensive. 

Anecdote.  Two  Lawyers.  A  wealthy 
farmer,  being  engaged  in  a  law-suit  against 
one  of  his  opulent  neighbors,  applied  to  a 
lawyer,  who  happened  to  be  engaged  on  the 
opposite  side,-  but,  who  told  him  he  would 
give  him  a  recommendation  to  a  professional 
friend;  which  he  did  in  the  following  lines : 
"  Here  are  two  fat  wethers,  fallen  out  together, 
If  you'll  fleece  one,  I'll  fleece  the  other, 
And  make  them  agree  like  brother  and  brother." 

The  letter  being  unsealed,  the  farmer  had 
the  curiosity  to  open  and  read  it ;  he  did  so, 
and  instead  of  carrying  it  to  the  other  lawyer, 
he  took  it  to  the  person,  with  whom  he  was 
at  variance.  Its  perusal  cured  both  parties, 
and  ended  the  dispute.  Inference — Lawyers 
live  by  the  violation  of  the  laws  of  goodness 
and  truth. 

Conversation.  When  five  or  six  men 
are  together,  it  is  curious — to  observe  the 
anxiety  every  one  has  to  speak.  No  one 
wishes  to  hear ;  all  he  desires,  is — an  audi- 
tor. Rather  than  defer  telling  their  respec- 
tive stories,  they  frequently  all  speak  at  the 
same  time. 

Varieties.  The  United  States — is  on  a 
conspicuous  stage ;  and  the  world — marks 
her  demeanor.  2.  If  a  parent — withhold  from 
his  children — the  light,  and  influence  of  Di- 
vine Truth,  is  he  not,  in  part,  responsible 
for  their  crimes  ?  3.  Eloquence — is  the  lan- 
guage of  Nature, — of  the  soul;  it  cannot  be 
acquired  in  the  schools,  though  it  may  be  cul- 
tivated there.  4.  What  is  the  object  of  court- 
ship ?  to  get  acquainted ;  to  show  off;  to 
take  in  ;  or,  to  marry  ?  5.  What  a  dreadful 
thing  it  is — to  be  "cut  out,'''' — and  to  " get 
the  mitten  /" 

They— know  not  my  heart,  who  betiat  there  can  be 
One  stain  of  this  earth — in  itsJeeZtng*  for  thee ; 
Who  think,  while  I  see  thee  in  beauty's  younjr  hour, 
As  pure  as  tlie  morning's  first  dew  on  the  flower, 
I  cnul  1  harm  what  I  love — as  the  sun's  wanton  ray 
But  smiles  on  the  dew-drop — to  waste  it  away  I 
Ab — beaming  with  UgTU — as  those  youn?  features  are, 
There's  a  light  round  thy  heart,  which  is  lovlier  far: 
It  is  not  that  cheek — 'tis  the  soul — dawning  clear 
Through  its  innocent  Ihtsh,  makes  thy  beauty  so  dear— 
As  the  sky  we  look  up  to,  though  glorious  and  fair, 
Is  look'd  up  to  the  more,  because  heaven  is  there  l 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


177 


n,  and  a  gentle 
ids  and  eyes;  as  if 


PITY,  COMPASSION. 
468.  Pity, 
benevolence  to 
the  afflicted;  a 
mixture  of  love 
for  an  object 
which  suffers, 
whether  human 
or  animal,  and  a 
grief  that  we  are 
unable  to  re- 
move those  suf- 
ferings. It  is  seen 
Uiaeompassion- 
ate  tenderness 
of  voice  ,  a  feel- 
ing of  pain  in  the 
counle  nance ; 
features  drawn 
together,  eye- 
brows  drawn  down 
raising  and  falliriL 
mourning  over  the  unhappy  object. 

Hadst  thou  but  seen,  as  /  did,  how  at  last, 
Thy  beauties,  Belvicfera,  like  a  wretch 
That's  doomM  to  banishment,  came  weeping  forth: 
Whilst  two  young  virgins,  on  whom   she  once 
Kindly  look'd  up,  and  at  her  grief  grew  sad!  [lean'd, 
Ev'n  the  loud  rabble,  th't  were  gather'd  round 
To  see  the  sight,  stood  mute,  when  they  beheld 
Her:  govern'd  their  roaring  threats,  and  grumbVd 

PITT. 

How  many  bleed, 
By  shameless  variance,  between  man  and  man ! 
On  the  bare  earth,  exposed,  he  lies, 
With  not  a  friend  to  close  his  eyes. 
Slww  mercy,  and  thou  shalt_/mt£  it. 
Life,  fill'd  with  grief's  distressful  train, 
Forever  asks  the  tear  humane. 

The  quality  of  mercy — is  not  slrairid  ; 
It  droppeth,  as  the  gentle  rain  from  heaven 
Upon  the  place  beneath :  it  is  twice  bless'd ; 
It  blesseth  him  thatgi'res.  and  him  that  lakes: 
Tis  mightiest — in  the  mightiest;  it  becomes 
The  throned  monarch — better  than  his  crown; 
His  sceptre  shows  the  force  of  temporal  power, 
The  attribute  lo  awe— and  majesty, 
Wherein  doth  sit  the  dread  and  fear  of  kings  ; 
But  mercy — is  above  this  sceptr'd  sway, 
It  is  enthroned — in  the  hearts  of  kings, 

It  is  an  attribute to  God  himself: 

And  earthly  power — doth  then  show  likest  God's, 
When  mercy — seasons  justice. 

But  from  the  mountain's  grassy  side, 
A  guiltless  feast  I  bring  : 
A  scrip,  with  fruits  and  herbs  supplied, 
And  water  from  the  spring. 
Thou  great,  thou  best  prerogative  of  power ! 
Justice  may  guard  the  throne,  but,  join'd  with  thee, 
On  rocks  of  adamant  it  stands  secure, 
And  braves  the  storm  beneath. 
Mercy — is  the  becoming  smile  of  justice ; 
Tli is — makes  her  lovely,  as  her  rigor — dreadful; 
Either,  alone,  defective: — but,  when  join'd, 
Like  clay  and  ivater  in  the  poller's  hands, 
They  mingle  influence,  and  together  rise, 
Informs,  which  neither,  separate,  could  bestow. 
The  sweetest  cordial — we  receive  at  last, 
Is—  conscience — of  our  virtuous  actions  past. 
23 


Maxims.  1.  He  that  feels  as  he  ought,  will  be 
polite  without  knowing  it.  2.  Comon  sense  is  tlve 
growth  of  all  countries  and  all  ages,  but  it  is  very 
rare.  3.  Modesty  is  one  of  the  chief  ornaments  of 
youth.  4.  In  every  condition  be  humble;  the  loftier 
the  condition,  the  greater  the  danger.  5.  Feelings 
and  thoughts  are  the  parents  of  language.  6.  To 
gain  a  good  reputation,  be,  what  you  desire  to  ap- 
pear. 7.  In  prosperity,  we  need  consideration  ;  in 
adversity— patience.  8.  Kindness  is  more  binding 
than  a  loan.  9.  Right  should  be  preferred  to  kind- 
red. 10.  A  wise  man  adapts  himself  to  circum- 
stances, as  ivater  does  to  the  vessel  that  contains  it. 
Anecdote.  When  Woodward  first  acted 
Sir  John  Brute,  Garrick  was  induced,  either 
by  curiosity  or  jealousy,  to  be  present.  A 
few  days  afterward,  they  happened  to  meet, 
when  Woodward  asked  Garrick,  how  he  liked 
him  in  the  part;  adding,  I  think  I  struck  out 
some  beauties  in  it.  Garrick  replied,  "  I  think 
you  struck  out  all  the  beauties  in  it." 

Discretion.  At  the  same  time,  that  I 
think  discretion — the  most  useful  talent  a 
man  can  be  master  of,  I  look  upon  cunning 
to  be  the  accomplishment  of  little,  mean,  un- 
generous minds.  Discretion — points  out  the 
noblest  ends  to  us,  and  pursues  the  most  pro- 
per and  laudable  methods  of  attaining  them ; 
cunning — has  only  private,  selfish  aims,  and 
sticks  at  nothing  which  may  make  them  suc- 
ceed. Discretion — has  large  and  extensive 
views,  and,  like  a  well-formed  eye,  commands 
a  whole  horizon;  cunning — is  a  kind  of 
short-sightedness,  that  discovers  the  minutest 
objects,  which  are  near  at  hand,  but  is  not 
able  to  discern  things  at  a  distance. 

Varieties.    1 .  Said  an  Indian  chief  to  the 
President,  "May  the  Great  Spirit  bear  up 
the  weight  of  thy  gray  hairs,  and  blunt  the 
arrow,  that  brings  them  rest.    2.  The  great 
truth  has  finally  gone  forth  to  the  ends  of  the 
earth,  that  man  shall  no  more  render  account 
to  man,  for  his  belief,  over  which  he  himself 
has  no  control.    3.  Let  every  one  feel,  think, 
act  and  say  whatever  he  pleases;  provided, 
he  does  not  infringe  upon  like  privileges  of 
others.    4.  Virtue — promotes  worldly  pros- 
perity; vice  destroys  it.    5.  Who  can  fully 
realize  the  strength   of  parental    affection, 
without  experiencing  it  7  and  even  then,  who 
can  describe  it.    6.  Grief,  smothered,  preys 
upon  the  vitals ;  give  it  vent  into  the  bosom 
of  a  friend.    7.  Nothing  is  of  any  service, 
that  does  not  help  to  re-unite  the  soul  to  God. 
But,  whatever  you  are, 
That  in  this  desert  inaccessible, 
Under  the  shade  of  melancholy  boughs, 
Lose  and  neglect  the  creeping  hours  of  lime, 
If  ever  you  have  looked  on  better  days, 
If  ever  been  where  bells  have  knolPd  to  church  ; 
If  ever  sat  at  any  good  man's  feast .' 
If  ever,  from  your  eye-lids,  wip'd  a  tear, 
And  know  what  'tis  to  pity,  and  be  pitied, 
Let  gentleness  my  strong  enforcement  ha 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCbiiUft. 


DESIRE,  HOPE, 
469.  Hope 
is  a  mixture  of 
joy  and  desire, 
agitating  the 
mind,  and  anti- 
cipating its  en- 
joyment; it  ev- 
er gives  pleas- 
ure ;  which  is 
not  always  the 
case  with  wish 
and  desire  ;  as 
they  may  pro- 
duce or  be  ac- 
companied with 
pain  and  anxie- 
ty. Hope  erects 
and  brightens  the  $0$. 
countenance,  o-  tt» 
pens  the  mouth  ^ 
to  half  a  smile,  arches  the  eye-brows,  gives  the 
eyes  an  eager  and  wistful  look ;  spreads  the  arms 
with  the  hands  open,  ready  to  receive  the  object 
of  its  wishes,  towards  which  it  leans  a  little  ;  the 
voice  is  somewhat  plaintive,  and  manner  incli- 
ning to  eagerness,  but  colored  by  doubt  and  anx- 
iety ;  the  breath  drawn  inward  more  forcibly  than 
usual,  in  order  to  express  our  desires  more  strong- 
ly, and  our  earenest  expectation  of  receiving  the 
object  of  them. 

But  thou,  O  hope  !  with  eyes  so  fair, 
What  was  thy  delighted  measure  ? 
Still  it  whisper'd — promised  pleasure, 
And  bade  the  lovely  scenes  at  distance  hail  ; 

Still  would  her  touch  the  strain  prolong, 
And  from  the  rocks,  the  woods,  the  vale, 

She  called  an  echo  still  thro'  all  her  song; 
And  where  her  sweetest  theme  she  chose, 
A  soft  responsive  voice  was  heard,  at  every  close, 
And   Hope,    enchanted,  smil'd.  and    wav'd   her 
golden  hair.  [health! 

Thou   captive's  freedom,   and  thou    sick    man's 
Thou  lover's  victory,  thou  beggar's  wealth ! 
Thou  manna,  which  from  heaven  we  eat, 
To  every  taste  a  several  meat ; 
Hope  I  thou  first  fruit  of  happiness  ! 
Thou  gentle  dawning  of  a  bright  success  ! 
Who.  out  of  fortune's  reach  doth  stand, 
And  art  ablessing  still  at  hand! 
Brother  of  faith!  'twixt  whom  and  thee, 
The  joys  of  heaven  and  earth  divided  be; 
The  future's  thine, — the  present's  his. 
Thou  pleasant,  honest  flatterer ;  for  none 
Flatter  unhappy  men,  but  thou  alone  ! 
O  Hope,siveet  flatterer,  whose  delusive  touch 
Sheds  on  afflicted  minds,  the  balm  of  comfort, 
Relieves  the  load  of  poverty  ;  sustains 
The  captive,  bending  under  the  weight  of  bonds, 
And  smooths  the  pillow  of  disease,  and  pain  ; 
Send  back  the  exploring  messenger  with  joy, 
And  let  me  hail  thee — from  that  friendly  grove. 

Anecdote.  A  traveler  in  a  stage-coach, 
not  famous  for  its  swiffness,  inquired  the 
nana  of  the  coach.  A  fellow  passenger  re- 
plied, "  I  think  it  is  the  Regulator,  for  I  ob- 
serve that  all  the  other  coaches  go  by  it." 

Hast  thou  power? — the  weak  defend  ; 

Light? — give  light :  thy  knowledge  lend  ; 

Rich? — remember  Him,  who  gave  ; 

Free? — be  brother  to  the  slave. 

A  disputable  point — is  no  man's  ground. 


Maxims.  1.  It  is  one  thing  to  know  uu 
give,  and  another  to  know  how  to  keep.  2.  Every 
thing  perfected  by  art,  has  its  source  in  nature. 
3.  He  who  tells  you  the  faults  of  others,  intends  to 
tell  others  your  faults.  4.  Opinion  is  free,  and 
conduct  alone  amenable  to  the  law.  5.  Extrava- 
gant praise  is  more  mortifying  than  the  keenest 
satire.  6.  Love  all  beauty,  and  you  will  love  all 
goodness.  7.  A  foolish/Wend  does  more  harm  than 
a  wise  enemy.  8.  When  our  hatred  is  violent,  it 
sinks  us  below  those  we  hate.  9.  There  should 
be  no  delay  in  a  benefit,  but  in  the  modesty  of  the 
receiver.  10.  A  cup  of  cold  water,  in  time  of  need, 
may  save  a  man's  life. 

Acquaintance  with.  Human  Nature. 
He,  who  has  acquired  a  competent  knowl- 
edge of  the  views,  that  occupy  the  generality 
of  men ;  who  has  studied  a  great  variety  of 
characters,  and  attentivly  observed  the  force 
and  violence  of  human  passions;  together 
with  the  infirmities  and  contradictions  they 
produce  in  the  conduct  of  life,  will  find  in 
this  knowledge,  a  key  to  the  secret  reasons 
and  motives  which  gave  rise  to  many  of  the 
most  important  events  of  ancient  times. 

Varieties.  1.  Some  people  will  do  al- 
most anything,  rather  than  own  a.  fault; 
tho'  eueri/thing  depends  on  it:  thus,  Seneca's 
wife,  to  conceal  her  blindness,  declared  that 
the  whole  world  was  in  darkness,  and  none 
could  see.  2.  What  is  the  difference  between 
pleasure  and  hajjpiness  ?  3.  There  is,  in  all 
things,  a  threefold  principle,  by  which  thej 
exist;  an  inmost,  middle,  and  outermost; 
and  in  human  beings,  there  is  a  soul,  mind, 
and  body  ;  will,  understanding,  and  act ;  af- 
fection, thought  and  speech ;  intellectual, 
rational,  and  scientific;  end,  cause,  and  ef- 
fect, all  essentially  distinct.  4.  Our  Lord 
does  not  say — if  a  man  see  a  miracle,  he 
shall  know  that  my  doctrine  is  from  God; 
but,  "  if  any  man  will  do  my  will." 

The  flower — soon  dies,  but  hope's  soft  ray 

Unchanged — undying  shines 
Around  that  form — where  pale  decay, 

A  peaceful  heart  enshrines  : 
Like  ivy — round  the  blighted  tree, 

It  twines  around  the  heart, 
Amid  poor— frail  humanity, 

The  only  verdant  part. 
7Vuehope  is  swift,  and  flies  with  swallow's  wings  ; 
Kings  it  makes  Gods,  md  rruaiur  creatures  Kings. 

Hope,  though  'tis  pale  sorrow's  only  cordial, 

Has  yet — a  dull  and  opiate  quality, 

Enfeebling — what  it  lulls. 

A  beacon  shining  o'er  a  stormy  sea; 

A  cooling/bimta/n — in  a  weary  land  ; 

A  green  spot — on  a  waste  and  burning  sand; 

A  rose — that  o'er  a  ruin  sheds  its  bloom  ; 

A  sunbeam — smiling  o'er  the  cold  dark  tomb. 
Westward — the  course  of  empire  takes  its  way  ; 

The  four  first  acts  already  past, 
A  fifth — shall  close  the  drama  with  the  day; 

Time's  noblest  offspring — is  the  last. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


179 


HATRED,  AVERSION. 
4T0.  When, 
by  frequent  re- 
flections on  a 
disagre  ea  b  1  e 
object,  our  dis- 
approbation of  «> 
it  is  attended 
with  a  strong 
disincluiati  o  n 
of  mind  to- 
wards it,  it  is 
called  hatred 
and  when  this 
is  accompani- 
ed with  a  pain- 
ful  se 
upon  the  appre- 
hension of  i  t  s 
presence  and 
approach,  there  follows  an  inclination  to  avoid  it, 
called  aversion  ;  extreme  hatred  is  abhorrence, 
■  I  d  station.  Hatred,  or  aversion  expressed 
to.  or  of  any  person,  or  any  thing,  that  is  odious, 
draws  back  the  body  to  avoid  the  hated  object, 
and  the  hands,  at  the  same  time,  thrown  out  and 
spread,  as  if  to  keep  it  off;  the  face  is  turned  away 
from  that  side,  which  the  hands  are  thrown  out; 
Lgrily  and  obliquely,  or  asquint, 
the  way  the  hands  are  directed ;  the  eyebrows  are 
contracted,  the  upper  lip  disdainfully  drawn  up: 
the  teeth  set;  the  pitch  of  the  voice  is  loud,  surly, 
chiding,  languid  and  vehement;  the  sentences  are 
siiort  and  abrupt. 

HATRED — CURSING   THE   OBJECT   HATED. 

Poisons — be  their  drink, 
Qall— -worse  than  gall,  the  daintest  meat  they  taste  : 
Their  sweetest  shade,  a  grove  of  Cyprus  trees; 
Their  sweetest  prospects,  murd'ring  basalisks; 
Their  music— frightful  as  the  serpent's  hiss: 
And  boding  screech-owls  make  the  concert  full ; 
All  the  foul  terrors  of  tfarAr-seated  hell. 
The  mortal  coUness  of  the  soul,  like  death  itself  comes  down  ; 
It  cannot  feel  for  other's  woes,  it  dare  not  dream  its  own  J 
That  heavy  chill  has  frozen  o'er  the  fountain  of  our  tears, 
And  though  the  eye  may  sparkle  still,  'tis  where  the  ice  appears. 
Tho'  wit  may  flash  from  fluent  lips,  and  mirth  distract  the  breast, 
Thro'  midnight  hours,  that  yield  no  more  their  former  hope  of  rest ; 
Tis  but  as  ivy  leaves — around  the  ruin'd  turret  wreath, 
All  green  and  wildly  fresh  without,  but  worn  and  gray  beneath. 
On  Adam  last  thus  judgment  he  pronoune'd: 
"Because  thou  hast  hearken'd  to  the  voice  of  thy 
And  eaten  of  the  tree,  concerning  which        {wife, 
I  charg'd  thee,  saying,  'Thou  shalt  not  eat  thereof,' 
Curs'd  is  the  ground  for  thy  sake;  thou,  in  sorrovj, 
Shalt  eat  thereof  all  the  days  of  thy  life  ; 
Thorns,  also,  and  thistles  it  shall  bring  thee  forth 
Unbid ;  and  thou  shalt  eat  the  herb  of  the  field. 
In  the  sweat  of  thy  face  shalt  thou  eat  bread, 
Till  thou  return  unto  the  ground;  for  thou 
Out  of  the  ground  wast  taken  :  know  thy  birth, 
For  dust  thou  art,  and  shalt  to  dust  return." 

Anecdote.  Satisfaction.  A  ruined 
debtor,  having  done  every  thing  in  his  potcer 
to  satisfy  his  creditors, said  to  them,  "Gentle- 
men,— I  have  been  extremely  perplexed,  till 
now,  how  to  satisfy  you:  and  having  done 
my  ut must  to  do  so,  I  shall  leave  you  to  sat- 
isfy yourst  ' 

He,  whose  mind 
Is  virtuous,  is  alone — of  noble  kind; 
Tho'  poor — in  fortune,  of  celestial  race; 
And  he — commits  a  crime,  who  calls  him  base. 


Maxims.  1.  One  true  friend  is  •worth  a  hund- 
red relations.  2.  Happiness  is  to  be  found  every 
where,  if  you  possess  a  well  regulated  mind.  3. 
Between  good  sense  and  good  taste,  there  is  the 
same  difference  as  between  eavse  and  effect.  4. 
He,  who  profits  by  the  mist  ~>'ts  of 

others,  learns  a  lesson  of  great  importa* 
The  flight  of  a  person  accused,  is  a  is 
edgment  of  his  guilt.    G.  He,  is  wise,  who  does  ev- 
ery thing  at  the  proper  time.     7.  Confession  is  £« 
a  medicine— to  him  who  has  gone  astray.  IV 

love  of  liberty  makes  sven  an  old  man  brave.  9. 
Children  are  heirs  to  the  diseases  of  their  parents. 
as  well  as  to  their  possessions.  10.  A  man.  who 
cannot  forgive,  breaks  the  bridge  over  which  he 
might  pass  to  Heaven. 

THouglits.  A  man  would  do  well  to  car- 
ry a  pencil  in  his  pocket,  and  write  down  the 
thoughts  of  the  moment.  Those  that  come 
unsought  for,  are  commonly  the  most  valu- 
able, and  should  be  secured,  because  they  sel- 
dom return. 

Varieties.  1.  What  do  you  think  of  one, 
who  gives  away  ten  dollars,  when  he  owes  a 
7  more  than  he  can  pay  ?  2.  Let  us 
follow  nature,  who  has  given  shame  to  man 
for  a  scourge  ,•  and  let  the  heaviest  part  of  the 
punishment  be — the  infamy  attending  it.  3. 
Can  we  perceive  any  quality  in  an  object, 
without  an  act  of  comparison  ?  4.  Falsehood 
often  decks  herself  in  the  outer  garments  of 
truth,  that  she  may  succeed  the  better  in  her 
wily  deceits.  5.  The  thing,  which  has  been 
done,  it  is  that  which  shall  be;  and  that  which 
Is,  it  is  that  which  shall  be  done ;  and  there 
is  no  new  thing  under  the  sun.  6.  Society 
cannot  be  held  together  without  morals  ,•  nor 
can  morals  maintain  their  station  in  the  hu- 
man heart,  without  religion  ,■  and  no  religion 
is  worth  having,  unless  it  is  founded  on  truth, 
which  is  the  corner-stone  of  the  fabric  of  hu- 
man nature.  7.  How  far  have  moral  percep- 
tions  been  influenced  by  physical  phenomena? 

How  very  precious — praise 
Is— to  a  young  genius,  like  sunlight— on  flowers, 
Ripening  them  into  fruit. 

One  hour — 
Of  thoughtful  solitude— may  nerve  the  heart 
For  days  of  conflict.— girding  up  its  armor- 
To  meet  the  most  insidious  foe,  and  lending 
The  courage— sprung  alone  from  innocence — 
And  good  intent. 
There  is  not,  in  this  life  of  ours, 

One  bliss — unmixed  with  fears  ; 
The  hope,  that  wakes  our  deepest  powers, 

A  face  of  sadness  wears; 
And  the  dew,  that  show'rs  o'er  dearest  flow'rs. 
Is  the  bitter  dew — of  tears. 
In  all  our  strictures — placid  we  will  be, 
As  Halcyons— brooding  on  a  summer  sea. 
No  man— is  born  into  the  world,  whose  work— 
Is  not  1  orn  ivith  him ;  there  is  alvays  work,— 
And  tools— to  u-ork  withal,  for  those  who  will 


180 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


ANGER,  RAGE,  FURY, 
471.  Imply 
excitement  or 
violent  action  : 
when  hatred 
and  displeasure 
rise  high,  on  a 
sudden,  from 
an  apprehen- 
sion of  injury 
received  and 
perturbation  of 
mind  in  conse- 
quence of  it, it  is 
called  anger  : 
and  rising  to  a 
very  high  de- 
gree, and  ex- 
tinguishing hu- 
manity, it  be- 
comes kage  and  fury  :  anger  always  renders 
the  muscles  protuberant;  hence,  an  angry  mind 
and  protuberant  muscles,  are  considered  as 
cause  and  effect.  Violent  anger  or  rage,  ex- 
presses itself  with  rapidity,  noise,  harshness, 
trepidation,  and  sometimes  with  interrruption 
and  hesitation,  as  unable  to  utter  itself  with  suf- 
ficient force.  It  wrinkles  and  clouds  the  brow, 
enlarges  and  heaves  the  nostrils  ;  every  vein 
swells,  muscles  strained,  nods  or  shakes  the 
head,  stretches  out  the  neck,  clenches  the  fists, 
breathing  hard,  breast  heaving,  teeth  shown  and 
gnashing,  face  bloated,  red,  pale,  or  black  ;  eyes 
red,  staring,  rolling  and  sparkling;  eye-brows 
drawn  down  over  them,  stamps  with  the  foot, 
and  gives  a  violent  agitation  to  the  whole  body. 
The  voice  assumes  the  highest  pitch  it  can 
adopt,  consistently  with  force  and  loudness  ; 
Tho'  sometimes,  to  express  anger  with  uncom- 
mon energy,  the  voice  assumes  a  low  and  forci- 
ble tone. 

Hear  me,  rash  man ;  on  thy  allegiance  hear  me  ; 
Since  thou  hast  striv  'n  to  make  us  break  our  vow, 
Which,  nor  our  nature,  nor  our  place  can  bear, 
We  banish  thee  forever  from  our  sight, 
And  our  kingdom:  If  when  three  days  are  expired, 
Thy  hated  trunk  be  found  in  our  dominions, 
That  moment  is  thy  death. — Away. 

Anger  is  like 

A  full  hot  horse;  who,  being  allow'd  his  way, 

Self-meMe  tires  him. 

The  short  passing  anger  but  seem'd  to  awaken 

New  beauty,  like  flowers,  that  are  sweetest  when  shaken. 

They  are  as  gentle 
As  zephyrs  blowing  below  the  violet, 
Not  wagging  his  sweet  head  ;  and  yet  as  rough, 
Their  royal  blood  enchaf 'd,  as  the  rud'st  wind, 
That,  by  the  top,  doth  take  the  mountain  pine, 
And  make  him  stoop  to  the  vale. 

You  are  yoked  with  a  lamb, 
That  carries  anger— as  the  flint  bears  fire  ; 
Who,  much  enforced,  shows  a  hasty  spark, 
And  straight  is  cold  again. 

Anecdote.  Sowing  and  Reaping.  A 
countryman,  sowing  his  ground,  two  up- 
starts, ritling  that  way,  one  of  them  called  to 
him  with  an  insolent  air — "Well,  honest  fel- 
low, 'tis  your  business  to  sow,  but  ive  reap 
the  fruit  of  your  labor,"  To  which  the 
countryman  replied — "  'Tis  very  likely  you 
may;  for  I  am  sowing  hemp.'''' 

The  worlds  a  book, — writ  by  the  eternal  art 

Of  the  great  Author,  and  printed — in  man's  heart. 


Laconics.  1.  A  little  neglect  -may  breed  great 
mischief.  2.  Retrospection  and  anticipation  may 
both  be  turned  to  good  account.  3.  He,  who 
would  be  well  spoken  of  himself,  must  speak 
well  of  others-  4.  Wildness  of  eccentricity,  and 
thoughtlessness  of  conduct,  are  not  necessary  ac- 
companiments of  talent,  or  indications  of  genius. 
5.  Vanity  and  affectation,  often  steal  into  the 
hearts  of  youth,  and  make  them  very  ridiculous ; 
yet,  no  one  is  contemptible,  for  being  what  he  is, 
but  for  pretending  to  be  what  he  is  not.  6.  No 
speech  can  be  severe,  unless  it  be  true  ;  for  if  it 
be  not  true,  it  cannot  apply ;  consequently,  its 
severity  is  destroyed  by  its  injustice.  7.  Mutual 
benevolence  must  be  kept  up  between  relatives, 
as  well  as  between  friends  ;  for  without  this  ce- 
ment, whatever  the  building  is  called,  it  is  only 
a  castle  in  the  air,  a  thing  talked  of,  without  the 
reality. 

Education.  Education  is  to  the  mind, 
what  cleanliness  is  to  the  body  ;  the  beauties 
of  the  one,  as  well  as  the  other,  are  blemished, 
if  not  totally  lost,  by  neglect:  and  as  the 
richest  diamond  cannot  shoot  forth  its  lustre, 
wanting  the  lapidary's  skill,  so,  will  the  la- 
tent virtue  of  the  noblest  mind  be  buried  in 
obscurity,  if  not  called  forth  by  precept,  and 
the  rules  of  good  manners. 

Varieties,  1.  He  that  thinks  he  can  be 
negligent  of  his  expenses,  is  not  far  from  be- 
ing poor.  2.  Extended  empire,  like  expand- 
ed gold,  exchanges  solid  strength  for  feeble 
splendor.  3.  Similarity  in  sound,  weakens 
contrast  in  sense.  4.  There  being  differences 
of  mind,  each  member  of  a  family,  and  of 
the  community,  is  best  qualified  for  the  per- 
formance of  specific  duties.  5.  The  notions 
of  some  parents  are  very  extravagant,  in 
wishing  the  teacher  to  make  great  men  of 
their  sons ;  while  they  would  be  much  more 
useful,  and  happy,  in  the  field,  or  in  the 
workshop.  6.  Write  down  all  you  can  re- 
member of  a  lecture,  address,  or  book,  and 
the  result  will  enable  your  teacher,  as  well 
as  yourself,  to  decide,  with  a  good  degree  of 
accuracy,  upon  your  character,  and  the  stu- 
dies most  appropriate  for  you  to  pursue. 
What  is  wedlock  forced,  but  a  hell, 
An  age  of  discord,  and  continued  strife! 
Whereas  the  contrary — bringeth  forth  bliss, 
And  is  a  pattern — of  celestial  peace. 

Immortality  o'ersweeps 
All  pains, all  tears,  all  trials,  all  fears,  and  peals, 
Like  the  eternal  thunder  of  the  deep, 
Into  my  ears,  this  truth — "  Thou  livest  forever." 
Oh  !  life  is  a  waste  of  wearisome  hours, 

Which  seldom  the  rose  of  enjoyment  adorns  ; 
And  the  heart  that  is  soonest  a  wak'd  to  the  flowr's, 

Is  always  the  first  to  be  touched  by  the  thorns. 
The  soul  of  music — slumbers  in  the  shell, 
Till  waked  and  kindled,  by  the  master's  spell, 
And  feeling  hearts,  (touch  them  but  lightly,)  pour 
A  thousand  melodies,  unheard  before. 

When  all  things  have  their  trial,  you  shall  find, 
Nothing  is  constant,  but  a  virtuous  mind. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


181 


REVENGE. 

472.    Re- 

VE5G  E — is  a 
prop  ensi  t  y 
&  endeavor  to 
injure  or  pain 
t  h  e  offender, 
contrary  to  the 
laws  of  j  u  s- 
tice :  which  is 
attended  with 
triumph  and 
exultation, 
when  the  in- 
jury is  inflict- 
ed, or  accom- 
plished. It  ex- 
poses itself 
like  malice,  or 
spite,  but  more 
openly,  loudly  and  triumphantly;  sets  the  jaws; 
grates  the  teeth ;  sends  blasting  flashes  from  the 
eyes  ;  draws  the  corners  of  the  mouth  towards  the 
ears  :  clenches  both  fists,  and  holds  the  elbow  in 
a  straining  manner :  the  tone  of  voice  and  expres- 
sion are  similar  to  those  of  anger;  but  the  pitch 
o/ voice,  is  not  so  high,  nor  loud. 
If  they  but  speak  the  truth  of  her,  [honor, 

These  hands  shall  tear  her;   if  they  wrong  her 
The  proudest  of  them  shall  well  hear  of  it. 
Time  hath  not  so  dried  this  blood  of  mine, 
Nor  age  so  eat  up  my  invention, 
Not  fortune  made  such  havoc  of  my  means, 
Nor  my  bad  life — 'reft  me  so  much  of  friends, 
But  they  shall  find  awak'd,  in  such  a  kind, 
Both  strength  of  limb  and  policy  oimind, 
Ability  in  means,  and  choice  of  friends, 
To  quit  me  of  them  thoroughly. 

473.  If  it  will  feed  nothing  else,  it  will  feed 
my  revenge.  He  hath  disgraced  me,  and  hin- 
dered me  of  half  a  million ;  laugh'd  at  my 
losses,  mocked  at  my  gains,  scorn'd  my  na- 
tion, thwarted  my  bargains,  cool'd  my 
friends,  heated  mine  enemies.  And  what's 
his  reason  ?  I  am  a  Jew  !  Hath  not  a  Jew 
eyes?  Hath  not  a  Jew  hands?  organs,  di- 
mensions, senses,  affections,  passions  ?  Is  he 
not  fed  with  the  same  food;  hurt  with  the 
same  weapons;  subject  to  the  same  diseases; 
heal'd  by  the  same  means :  warm'd  and  cool'd 
by  the  same  summer  and  winter,  as  a  Chris- 
tian is!  If  you  stab  us,  do  we  not  bleed? 
If  you  fickle  us,  do  we  not  laugh?  If  you 
poison  as,  do  we  not  die  ?  And  if  you  wrong 
us,  shall  we  not  revenge  ?  If  we  are  like  you 
in  the  rat,  we  will  resemble  you  in  that.  If 
a  Jew  wrong  a  Christian  what  is  his  humili- 
ty 1  Revenge.  If  a  Christian  wrong  a  Jew, 
what  should  his  sufferance  be  by  christian 
example !  Why,  Revexge.  The  villiany 
you  teach  me,  I  will  execute  ,■  and  it  shall  go 
hard,  but  I  will  better  the  instruction. 

O  sacred  solitude  ;  divine  retreat ! 

Choice — of  the  prudent !  envy — of  the  great ! 

By  thy  pure  stream,  or  in  thy  waving  shade, 

We  court  fair  wisdom,  that  celestial  maid: 

The  genuine  offspring — of  her  lov'd  embrace, 

(JStranger* — on  earth,)  are  innocence — and  peace. 

There,  from  the  ways  of  men  laid  safe  ashore 

We  smile — to  hear  the  distant  tempest  roar ; 

There,  bless'd  with  health,  with  business  unperplex'd, 

This  life  we  relish,  and  ensure  the  next. 

Q 


When  will  the  world  shake  off  such  yokes !  oh, 
Will  that  redeeming  day  shine  out  on  men,   [when 
That  shall  behold  them  rise,  erect  and  free, 
As  Heaven  and  Nature — meant  mankind  should  bel 
AVhen  Reason  shall  no  longer  blindly  bow 
To  the  vile  pagod  things,  that  o'er  her  brow, 
Like  him  of  Jaghernaut,  drive  trampling  now; 
Nor  Conquest  dare  to  desolate  God's  earth; 
Nor  drunken  Victory,  with  a  Nero's  mirth, 
Strike  her  lewd  harp  amidst  a  people's  groans; — 
But,  built  on  love,  the  world's  exalted  thrones 
Shall  to  the  virtuous  and  the  wise  be  given — 
Those  bright,  those  sole  legitimates  of  Heaven ! 

Human  Testimony.  The  judgment  must 
be  employed,  to  discern  the  truth  or  falsehood  of 
assertions,  by  attending  to  the  credibility  and 
consistency  of  the  different  parts  of  the  story:  the 
veracity  and  character  of  witnesses  in  other  re- 
spects ;  by  comparing  the  assertions  with  ac- 
counts received  from  other  witnesses,  who  could 
not  be  ignorant  of  the  facts;  and  lastly,  by  bring- 
ing the  whole  to  a  test  of  a  comparison  with 
known  and  admitted  facts. 

Anecdote.  Scientific  Enthusiasm.  The 
enthusiasm  of ardent  and  forcible  minds,  ap- 
pears madness,  to  those  who  are  dull  and 
phlegmatic.  The  pleasure  it  inspires  is  the 
greatest  and  the  most  independent  remunera- 
tion, that  men  of  genius  receive  for  their  efforts 
and  exertions.  Do-na-/eWo,  the  great  Flor- 
entine sen  Ipfor,  had  been  long  working  at  his 
statue  of  Judith  ;  and,  on  giving  the  last  stroke 
of  the  chisel  to  it,  he  was  heard  to  exclaim, 
"  Speak  now !  I  am  sure  you  can." 

Varieties.  1.  How  beautiful  the  arrange- 
ment of  all  living  creatures,  with  the  bounda- 
ries of  their  habitation .'  But  how  much  more 
beautiful,  could  we  but  discover  the  laiv  of 
this  arrangement,  or  the  reason,  by  which  it 
is  founded ;  that  law,  and  the  source  from 
which  it  proceeds,  must  be  the  perfection  of 
intelligence.  2.  A  good  natured  man  has  the 
whole  v:orld  to  be  happy  hi.  He  is  blest 
with  erm/body's  blessing,  and  wherever  lie 
goes,  he  finds  some  one  to  love ;  "  Unto  him 
that  hath,  shall  be  given."  3.  Parents  should 
beware  of  discouraging  their  children,  by 
calling  them  fools,  half-witted,  and  telling 
them  they  will  never  know  anything,  &c. ; 
but  let  the  current  flow  on,  and  it  will  soon 
run  clear:  dam  it  up,  and  mischief  will  most 
certainly  ensue.  4.  The  agitations  among 
the  nations  of  the  earth,  cannot  be  mistaken : 
they  are  the  struggles  of  opinion,  writhing  in 
its  chains,  and  indignantly  striving  to  cast 
them  off;  the  soul  bursting  its  trammels,  for- 
saking its  bondage,  and  soaring  away  to  its 
native  heaven  of  thought,  where  it  may  range 
at  large,  emancipate  and  free. 

u  Peace  ."'  shall  the  world,  out-wearied,  ever  see 
Its  universal  reign?    Win  states,  will  ii'ngs, 
Put  demon  those  murderous—  and  unholy  things, 
Which  fill  the  earth— with  Mood  and  misery? 
Will  nations  learn— that  love—  not  enmity — 
Is  Heaven's  first  lesson. 


182 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


ANGER,  HATRED,  REPROACH. 

474.  Re- 
proach— is  set- 
tled anger,  or 
hatred,  chasti- 
sing the  object 
of  its  dislike,  by 
casting  in  his 
teeth  the  secret 
causes  of  his 
misconduct,  or 
impe  rfections: 
the  brow  is  con- 
tracted, the  lip 
turn'd  up  with 
scorn,  the  head 
shaken,  the 
voice  low,  as 
if  abhorring,  and 
the  whole  body 
expressive  of  aversion,  contempt  and  loathing. 

Farewell,  happy  fields, 

Where  }oy  forever  dwells  !  Hail,  horrors  .'  hail, 

Infernal  world  !  and  thou,  profoundest  Hell, 

Receive  thy  new  possessor  ;  one  who  brings 

A  mind  not  to  be  chang'd  by  place  or  time. 

The  mind  is  its  own  place,  and  in  itself 

Can  make  a  heaven  of  hell,  a  hell  of  Heav'n: 

What  matter  where,  if  I  be  still  the  same, 

And  what  I  should  be.  all  but  less  than  he 

Whom  thunder  hath  made  greater?    Here,  at  least 

We  shall  be  free;  th'  Almighty  hath  not  built 

Here  for  his  envy  ;  will  not  drive  us  hence : 

Here  we  may  reign  secure;  and  in  my  choice, 

To  reign,  is  worth  ambition,  though  in  hell : 

Better  to  reign  in  hell,  than  serve  in  Heaven. 

He  is  my  bane,  I  cannot  bear  him ; 

One  heav'n  and  earth  can  never  hold  us  both : 

Still  shall  we  hate,  and  with  defiance  deadly, 

Keep  rage  alive,  till  one  be  lost  forever; 

As  if  two  Swiss  should  meet  in  one  meridian, 

And  strive,  in  fiery  combat,  for  the  passage. 

Who  does  one  thing,  and  another  tell, 

My  heart  detests  him  as  the  gates  of  hell. 

Hence,  from  my  sight ! 

Thy  father  cannot  bear  thee; 

Fly  with  thy  infamy  to  some  dark  cell, 

Where,  on  the  confines  of  eternal  night, 

Mourning,  misfortunes,  cares  and  anguish  dwell. 

REPROACHING  WITH  WANT  OF  COURAGE  AND  SPIRIT. 

Thou  slave,  thou  wretch,  thou  coward  ! 
Thou  little  valiant,  great  in  villany, 
Thou  ever  strong  upon  the  stronger  side  ! 
Thou  fortune's  champion,  thou  dost  never  fight 
But  when  her  humorous  ladyship  is  by, 
To  teach  thee  safety  !  thou  art  perjured  too, 
And  sooihest  up  greatness.  What  a  fool  art  thou, 
A  ramping  fool;  to  brag,  to  stamp,  and  swear, 
Upon  my  party  !  Thou  cold-blooded  slave  ! 
Hast  thou  not  spoke  like  thunder  on  my  side, 
Been  sworn  my  soldier  ?  bidding  me  depend, 
Upon  thy  stars,  thy  fortune,  and  thy  strength? 
And  dost  thou  now  fall  over  to  my  foes? 
Thou  wear  a  lion's  hide  ;  doff  it,  for  shame, 
And  hang  a  calf's  skin  on  those  recreant  limbs. 
Debasing  tendency  of  Anger.     What 
a  wretched  thing  is  anger,  and  the  commotion  of 
the   soul.     If  anything  interposes  itself  between 
ine  and  the  object  of  my  pursuits,  what  is  incum- 


bent upon  me  is,  that  I  should  put  forth  my  powers, 
and  remove  it.  How  shall  I  do  this?  By  the  ex- 
ercise of  my  understanding.  To  the  employment 
of  this  power,  a  cool  and  exact  observation  is  ne- 
cessary ;  but  the  moment  I  am  the  slave  of  pas- 
sion, my  power  is  lost;  I  am  turned  into  a  beast, 
or  rather  into  a  drunkard;  I  can  neither  preserve 
my  footing,  nor  ■watch  my  advantage,  nor  strike 
an  effectual  blow.  Did  you  never  see  a  passion- 
ate and  a  temperate  man — pitched  against  each 
other?  How  like  a  fool  did  the  former  appear! 
how  did  his  adversary  turn  and  wind  him  as  he 
pleased,  like  some  god — controling  an  inferior  na- 
ture! It  is  by  this  single  implement,  his  reason, 
that  man  tames  horses,  camels,  and  elephants,  to 
his  hand  ;  that  lie  tames  the  lion  of  the  desert,  and 
shuts  up  the  hyena  with  bars. 

Anecdote.  Servile  Imitation.  The  Chi- 
nese tailors  do  not  measure  their  customers, 
but  make  clothes  according  to  the  pattern 
given  them.  An  American  captain,  being  at 
Canton,  and  wanting  a  new  coat  made,  sent 
the  proper  quantity  of  cloth,  and  an  old  one 
for  a  pattern:  but,  unluckily,  the  old  coat 
had  a  patch  at  the  elbow,  which  the  tailor 
copied,  to  the  no  small  mortification  of  his 
employer. 

Varieties.  1.  Whatever  tends  to  dissolve 
the  Union,  or  lessen  the  sovereign  authority, 
is  hostile  to  our  liberty  and  independence.  2. 
As  the  true  christian  religion,  which  is  to  be- 
come universal,  had  one  local  origin,  so, 
have  all  genuine  and  specific  creations  had 
their  origin,  or  local  centre,  whence  they  have 
been  diffused.  3.  Let  an  unbeliever  in  this 
religion,  write  down,  fairly  and  truly,  all  the 
abswdities  he  believes  instead  of  it,  and  he 
will  find  that  it  requires  more  faith  to  reject 
it,  than  it  does  to  embrace  it.  4.  Reverence 
paid  to  man,  on  account  of  what  is  good  and 
true;  as  divine  in  them,  and  as  their  own, 
is  the  worship  of  the  creature,  instead  of  the 
Creator,  and  is  idolatry.  5.  Man  is  the  end 
of  the  whole  creation;  and  all  particulars 
of  it  conspire,  that  conjunction  of  him  with 
God  may  be  attained,  and  that  the  end  may 
be  brought  to  pass. 
False  views,  like  that  horizon's  fair  deceit, 
AVhere  earth  and  heaven  but  seem,  alas,  to  meet. 
Deceit — is  ihe  false  road  to  happiness; 
And  all  the  joys  we  travel  to  through  vice, 
Like  fairy  banquets,  vanish  when  we  touch  them. 

Oh  !  colder  than  the  wind,  that  freezes 
Founts,  that  but  now  in  sunshine  play'd, 

Is  that  congealing  pang,  which  seizes 
The  trusting  bosom,  when  betrayed. 

In  vain  my  lyre  would  lightly  breathe 
The  smile,  thai  sorrow  fain  would  wear, 

But  mocks  the  woe,  that  lurks  beneath, 
Like  roses — o'er  a  sepulchre. 

As  the  ivy — climbs  the  tallest  tree, 
So — round  the  loftiest  souls  his  toils  he  wound, 
And,  with  his  spells,  subdu'd  thefierce  and  free. 
An  honest  man's  the  noblest  work  of  God. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


183 


Vs-. 


TERROR,  OR  FRIGHT. 

475.  When 
violent  and 
sudden,  it 
opens  very 
wide  the, 
mouth,  short- 
ens  the  nose,  5 
draws  down 
the  eye- 
brows, gives 
the  c  o  u  n  t  e- 
nance  an  air 
of  wildness, 
covers  it  with 
deadly  pale- 
ness, draws 
back  the  el- 
bows parallel,, 
with      the 

sides,  lifts  up  the  open  hands— with  the  fingers 
spread  to  the  height  of  the  breast,  at  some  distance 
before  it,  so  as  to  shield  it  from  the  dreadful  object. 
One  fool  is  drawn  back  behind  the  other,  so  that 
the  body  seems  shrinking  from  the  danger,  and 
putting  itself  in  a  posture  for  flight.  The  heart 
beats  violently,  the  breath  is  quick  and  short,  and 
the  whole  body  is  thrown  into  a  general  tremor. 
The  voice  is  weak  and  trembling,  the  sentences 
short,  and  the  meaning  confused  and  incoherent. 
Imminent  danger  produces  violent  shrieks,  with- 
out any  articulate  sounds:  sometimes  confuses 
the  thoughts,  produces  faintness,  which  is  some- 
times followed  by  death. 

Ah!  mercy  on  my  soul!  What  is  that! 
My  old  friend's  ghost?  They  say  none  but 
wicked  folks  walk ;  I  wish  I  were  at  the  bot- 
tom of  a  coal-pit.  See !  how  long  and  pale 
his  face  has  grown  since  his  death :  he  never 
was  handsome  ;  and  death  has  improved  him 
very  much  the  wrong  way.  Pray  do  not  come 
near  me !  I  wisKd  you  very  well  when  you 
were  alive ;  but  I  could  never  abide  a  dead 
man,  cheek  by  Joivl  with  me.  Ah,  ah,  mercy 
on  us !  No  nearer,  pray ;  if  it  be  only  to  take 
leave  of  me  that  you  are  come  back,  I  could 
have  excused  you  the  ceremony  with  all  my 
heart;  or  if  you — mercy  on  us!  no  nearer, 
pray,  or,  if  you  have  wronged  anybody,  as 
you  always  loved  money  a  little,  I  give  you 
the  word  of  frightened  christian  ,•  I  will  pray 
as  long  as  you  please  for  the  deliverance,  or 
repose  of  your  departed  soul.  My  good, 
worthy,  noble  friend,  do,  pray  disappear,  as 
ever  you  would  wish  your  old  friend  to  come 
to  his  senses  again. 

Passion,  when  deep,  is  still — the  glaring  eye, 
That  reads  its  enemy  with  glance  of  fire ; 
The  lip,  that  curls  and  writhes  in  bitterness ; 
The  brow  contracted,  till  its  wrinkles  hide 
The  keen  fixed  orbs  that  burn  and  flash  below; 
The  hand  firm  clench'd  and  quivering,  and  the  foot 
Planted  in  attitude  to  spring  and  dart 
Its  vengeance,  are  the  language  it  employs. 
While  passions  glow,  the  heart,  like  heated  steel, 
Takes  each  impression,  and  is  work'd  at  pleasure. 
Anecdote.    Printing.    It  is  related  that 
Faust,  of  Mentz,  one  of  the  many  to  whom 
the  honor  of  having  invented  the  invaluable 
art  of  printing  is  ascribed,  having  carried 
some  of  his  Bibles  to  Paris,  and  offered  tliem 


for  sale  as  MSS.,  the  French,  after  consider- 
ing the  number  of  the  books,  anil  their  exact 
conformity  to  each  other,  and  that  the  best 
book  writers  could  not  be  so  exact,  concluded 
there  was  witchcraft  in  the  case;  and,  by 
either  actually  indicting  him  as  a  conjuror, 
or  threatening  to  do  so,  they  extorted  the 
secret ;  hence,  the  origin  of  the  popular  story 
of  the  Devil  and  Dr.  Faustus. 

Their  breath  is  agitation,  and  their  life 
A  storm  whereon  they  ride,  to  sink  at  last, 
And  yet  so  nurs'd  and  bigoted  to  strife, 
That  should  their  days,  surviving  perils  past, 
Melt  to  calm  twilight,  they  feel  overcast 
With  sorrow  and  supineness,  and  so  die; 
Even  as  a  flame  unfed,  which  runs  to  waste 
With  its  own  flickering,  or  a  sword  laid  by 
Which  eats  into  itself,  and  rusts  ingloriously. 

Friendship.  The  water,  that  flows  from  a 
spring,  does  not  congeal  in  the  winter.  And  those 
sentiments  of  friendship,  which  flow  from  the 
heart,  cannot  be  frozen  in  adversity. 

"Varieties.  1.  As  in  agriculture,  he,  who 
can  produce  the  greatest  crop,  is  not  the  best 
farmer,  but  he,  who  can  effect  it  with  tlie 
least  labor  and  expense ;  so,  in  society,  he  is 
not  the  best  member,  who  can  bring  about 
the  most  apparent  good,  but  he,  who  can  ac- 
complish it  with  the  least  admixture  of  con- 
comitant evil.  2.  Cicero  says,  that  Roscius, 
the  Roman  comedian,  could  express  a  sen- 
tence in  as  many  ways  by  his  gestiD'es,  as  he 
himself  could  by  his  ivords.  3.  The  eye  of 
a  cultivated  person  is  full  of  meaning ;  if  you 
read  it  attentively, it  will  seem  like  a  mirror, 
revealing  the  inner  world  of  thought  and 
feeling ;  as  the  bosom  of  the  smooth  lake  re- 
flects the  image  of  the  earth  around,  and  the 
heavens  above.  4.  A  good  reader  and  a  bad 
singer,  and  a  bad  reader  and  a  good  singer, 
is  without  excuse,-  for  the  same  strength, 
purity,  distinctness,  flexibility  and  smooth- 
ness of  voice,  that  either  requires,  and  pro- 
motes, are  subservient  to  each  other. 

Should/a(€ — command  me  to  the  farthest  verge 
Of  the  green  earth,  to  distant,  barbarbous  climes, 
Rivers — unknown  to  song ;  where  first  the  sun- 
Gilds  Indian  mountains,  or  his  setting  beams 
Flame   on  the  Atlantic  Isles ;  'tis  nought  to  me ; 
Since  God — is  ever  present,  ever  felt, 
In  the  void  ivaste — as  in  the  city  full; 
And  where  He — vital  breathes,  there  must  be  joy. 
When  e'en,  at  last,  the  solemn  hour  shall  come, 
And  wing  my  mystic  fight — to  future  worlds, 
I  cheerful,  will  obey;  thee,  with  new  powers, 
Will  rising  wonders  sing;  I  cannot  go — 
Where  universal  love — smiles  not  around, 
Sustaining  all  yon  orbs,  and  all  their  sons: 
From  seeming  evil, — still  educing'  good, 
And  better —Xhvnce  again,  and  belter — still — 
In  infinite  progression.     But  I  lose 
Myself  in  Him — in  light  ineffable: 
Come  then,  expressive  Silence— muse  his  praise. 


184 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


GRIEF  AND  REMORSE, 
Are 


476. 

closely  allied 
to  sorrow  and 
remorse  ;  or  a 
pai  n  fu  1  r  e- 
menibrance  of 
criminal  ac- 
tions and  pur- 
suits ;  casts 
down  the 
counten  a  nee, 
clouds  it  with 
anxiety:  hangs 
down  the 
head,  shakes  it 
with  regret, 
just  raises  the 
eyes  as  if  to 
look  up,  and 
suddenly  casts 
them  down  again  with  sighs  ;  the  right  hand 
sometimes  beats  the  heart  or  head,  and  the  whole 
body  writhes  as  if  in  self-aversion.  The  voice 
has  a  harshness,  as  in  hatred,  and  inclines  to  a 
low  and  reproachful  tone  :  weeps,  stamps,  hur- 
ries to  and  fro,  runs  distracted,  or  faints  away. 
When  it  is  violent,  grovels  on  the  ground  ;  tears 
the  clothes,  hair  or  flesh  ;  screams  ;  sometimes 
it  produces  torpid  sullen  silence,  resembling  to- 
tal apathy. 

477.  Remorse  for  Drunkenness.  I 
remember  a  mass  of  things,  but  nothing  dis- 
tinctly ;  a  quarrel,  nothing  wherefore.  0  that 
men  should  put  an  enemy  in  their  mouths  to 
steal  away  their  brains ;  that  we  should  with 
joy,  pleasure,  revel,  applause,  transform  our- 
selves into  beasts:  I  will  ask  him  for  my 
place  again;  he  shall  tell  me — I  am  a  drunk- 
ard :  had  I  as  many  mouths  as  Hydra,  such 
an  answer  would  stop  them  all.  To  be  now 
a  sensible  man,  by  and  by  a  fool — and  pres- 
ently— a  beast!  O  strange!  every  inordi- 
nate cup  is  unbless'd,  and  the  ingredient  is 
a  devil. 

GRIEF   DEPLORING  LOSS   OF    HAPPINESS. 

I  had  been  happy,  if  the  general  camp, 

Pioneers  and  all,  had  wrong'd  my  love, 

So  had  I  nothing  known :  O  now,  forever, 

Fareivelllhe  tranquil  mind  ;  farewell,  content; 

Farewell  the  plumed  troop  and  the  big  war 

That  make  ambition — virtue!  O  farewell : 

Farewell  the  neighing  steed,  and  the  shrill  trump, 

The  spirit-stirring  drum,  the  ear-piercing,/[/e, 

The  royal  banner,  and  all  quality, 

Pride,  pomp,  and  circumstances  of  glorious  war! 

Farewell  !  Othello's  occupation's  gone. 

On,  when  the  last  account  'twixt  heaven  and  earth 

Is  to  be  made,  then,  shall  this  hand  and  seal 

Witness  against  us  to  damnation  ! 

How  oft  the  sight  of  means  to  do  ill  deeds 

Makes  ill  deeds  done  !     Hadst  not  thou  been  by, 

A  fellow  by  the  hand  of  Nature  marked, 

Quoted  and  signed,  to  do  a  deed  of  shame, 

This  murder  had  not  come  into  my  mind  ; 

Hut,  taking  note  of  thy  abhorred  aspect, 

Finding  ihcefd  for  bloody  villany, 

Apt,  liable  to  be  employed  in  danger, 

I  faintly  broke  with  thee  of  Arthur's  death  ; 

And  thou,  to  be  endeared  to  a  king, 

Madest  it  no  conscience  to  destroy  a.  prince. 


Freedom  of  the  Press.  The  liberty  of  the 
press — is  the  true  measure  of  the  liberty  of  the  peo- 
ple.  The  one  cannot  be  attacked,  without  injury 
to  the  other.  Our  thoughts  ought  to  be  perfectly 
free  ;  to  bridle  them,  or  stifle  them  in  their  sanctu- 
ary, is  the  crime  of  perverted  humanity.  What 
can  I  call  my  own,  if  my  thoughts  are  not  mine. 

Anecdote.  Prize  of  Immortality.  On 
its  being  remarked  to  Zeuxis,  a  celebrated 
painter,  that  he  was  very  long  in  finishing 
his  works,  he  replied,  "  I  am,  indeed,  a  long 
time  in  finishing  my  works;  but  what  I 
paint — is  for  eternity." 

Varieties.  1  Many  projects,  wluch,  at 
the  first,  appear  plausible  and  inviting,  in 
the  end — prove  to  be  very  injurious.  2.  Sci- 
ence, philosophy  and  religion,  are  our  food  in 
youth,  and  our  delight  in  more  advanced 
life ;  they  are  ornaments  to  prosperity,  and 
a  comfort  and  refuge,  in  adversity  ;  armor  at 
home,  and  abroad,  they  pass  their  days  and 
nights  with  us,  accompany  us  in  our  travels, 
and  in  rural  retirements.  3.  Wliich  is  more 
to  be  dreaded,  a  false  friend  or  an  open  ene- 
my ?  4.  Guard  against  being  led  into  impru- 
dence, by  yielding  to  an  impetuous  temper. 
5.  There  is  no  virtuous  person,  who  has  not 
some  tueakness  or  vice  /  nor  is  there  a  vi- 
cious one,  who  cannot  be  said  to  possess 
some  virtue.  6.  What  a  difficult  thing  it  is, 
not  to  betray  guilt  in  the  countenance,  when 
it  exists  in  the  mind  !  7.  The  strength  of 
one  vital  faculty  is  sometimes  the  occasion  of 
a  weakness  in  another  ,•  but,  that  it  may  not 
exist,  exercise  no  faculty  or  principle  beyond 
its  strength  or  bounds.  8.  Science — relates  to 
whatevever  addresses  us  thro'  the  five  se7ises  ; 
which  are  the  ultimates — upon  which  the 
interiors  of  the  mind,  and  the  inmost  of  the 
soul — rest. 

Wlierefore  rejoice  ?  What  conquest  brings  he  home ! 
What  tributaries  follow  him  to  Rome, 
To  grace,  in  captive  bonds,  his  chariot-wheels  ? 
You  blocks,  you  stones,  you  worse  than  senseless 
O,  you  hard  hearts,  you  cruel  men  of  Rome,  [things! 
Knew  ye  not  Pompey  ?  Many  a  time  and  oft 
Have  you  climb'd  up  to  ivalls  and  battlements, 
To  toivers  and  windows,  yea,  to  chim.ney-t.ops, 
Your  infants  in  your  arms,  and  there  have  sat 
The  live-long  day,  with  patient  expectation, 
To  see  great  Pompey  pass  the  streets  of  Rome  : 
And  when  you  saw  his  chariot  but  appear, 
Have  you  not  made  an  universal  shout, 
That  Tyber  trembled  underneath  his  banks, 
To  hear  the  replication  of  your  sounds, 
Made  in  his  concave  shores  ? 
And  do  you  now  put  on  your  best  attire? 
And  do  you  now  cull  out  a  holiday? 
And  do  you  now  strew  flowers  in  his  way, 
That  comes  in  triumph  over  Pompey's  blood? 
Begone  ; 

Run  to  your  houses  ;  fall  upon  your  k?iees, 
Pray  to  the  gods  to  intermit  the  plague, 
That  needs  must  light  on  this  ingratitude. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


185 


DESPAIR. 


t4fjgjjj^ 


477.    As  a 

condemned 
criminal,  or 
one  who  has 
lost  all  hope  of 
salvation, 
bends  the  eye- 
brows down- 
ward, clouds 
the  forehead, 
rolls  the  eyes 
around  fretful- 
ly, eyeballs  red 
t_  n  d  inflamed 
like  a  rabid  i 
dog ;  opens  the 
mouth  horizon- 
tally, bites  the 
lips,  widens  the 
nostrils,  and  gnashes  the  teeth ;  the  head  is  press- 
ed down  upon  the  breast ;  heart  too  hard  to  permit 
tears  to  flow :  arms  are  sometimes  bent  at  the  el- 
bows; the  fists  cleneh'd  hard;  the  veins  and  mus- 
cles swollen ;  the  skin  livid ;  the  whole  body 
strained  and  violently  agitated  ;  while  groans  of 
inward  torture  are  more  frequently  uttered  than 
words.  If  any  words  are  spoken,  they  are  few, 
and  expressed  with  a  sullen  eager  bitterness;  the 
tones  of  the  voice  often  loud  and  furious,  and 
sometimes  in  the  same  pitch  for  a  considerable 
time.  This  state  of  human  nature  is  too  terrible, 
loo  frightful  to  look,  or  dwell  upon,  and  almost 
improper  for  representation  :  for  if  death  cannot 
be  counterfeited  without  too  much  shocking  our 
humanity,  despair,  which  exhibits  a  state  ten 
thousand  times  more  terrible  than  death,  ought  to 
be  viewed  with  a  kind  of  reverence  to  the  great 
Author  of  Nature,  who  seems  sometimes  to  permit 
this  agony  of  mind,  as  a  warning  to  avoid  that 
wickedness,  which  produces  it:  it  can  hardly  be 
over-acted. 

Bring  me  to  my  trial  when  you  will. 

Died  he  not  in  his  bed?  where  should  he  die? 

Can  I  make  men  live,  whether  they  will  or  no? 

Oh  !  torture  me  no  more,  I  will  confess. 

Alive  again  ?  then  show  me  where  he  is, 
I'll  give  a  thousand  pounds  to  look  upon  him. — 
He  hath  no  eyes,  the  dust  hath  blinded  them — 
Comb  down  his  hair;  look !  look!  it  stands  upright, 
Like  lime-twigs,  set  to  catch  my  winged  soul.' 
Give  me  some  drink,  and  bid  the  apothecary 
Bring  the  strong  poison  that  I  bought  of  him. 

Ay,  but  to  die,  and  go  we  know  not  where  ; 

To  lie  in  cold  obstruction,  and  to  rot; 

This  sensible  warm  motion  to  become 

A  kneaded  clod  ;  and  the  delighted  spirit 

To  bathe  in  fiery  floods,  or  to  reside 

In  thrilling  regions  of  thick-ribbed  ice ; 

To  be  imprison'd  in  the  viewless  winds, 

And  blown  with  restless  violence  about 

The  pendant  world ;  or  to  be  worse  than  worst 

Of  those,  that  lawless  and  uncertain  thoughts 

Imagine  howling! — 'tis  too  horrible ! 

The  weariest  and  most  loathed  worldly  life, 

That  age,  ache,  penury,  and  imprisonment 

Can  lay  on  nature,  is  a  paradise 

To  what  we  fear  of  death. 

Critics  are  like  a  kind  of  flies,  that  breed 
In  wild  fig-trees,  and,  when  they're  grown  up,  feed 
Upon  the  raw  fruit  of  the  nobler  kind, 
And  by  their  nibbling  on  the  outward  rind, 
Open  the  pores,  and  make  way  for  the  sun 
To  ripen  it  sooner  than  he  would  have  done. 
24 


A'irtue  and  Vice.  Every  man  has  actually 
within  him,  the  seeds  of  every  virtue  and  every 
vice;  and  the  proportion,  in  which  they  thrive  and 
ripen,  depends,  in  general,  upon  the  situations  in 
which  he  has  been,  and  is  placed,  and  his  life. 

Anecdote.  Filial  Piety.  Valerius  Max- 
imum relates,  that  a  woman  of  distinction, 
having  been  condemned  to  be  strangled,  was 
carried  to  prison,  in  order  to  be  put  to  death  ,- 
but  the  jailor  was  so  struck  with  compunc- 
tion, that,  resolving  not  to  kill  her,  he  chose 
to  let  her  die  with  hunger,-  meanwhile,  he 
permitted  her  daughter  to  visit  her  in  prison, 
taking  care  that  she  brought  nothing  to  eat. 
Many  days  passing  by,  and  the  prisoner  still 
living,  the  jailor  at  lengthen  sped  in  g  some- 
thing, watched  the  daughter,  and  discovered 
that  she  nourished  her  mother  with  her  own 
milk.  He  informed  the  authorities,  and  they 
the  people  ,-  when  the  criminal  was  pardoned, 
and  the  mother  and  daughter  maintained  at 
the  public  expense,-  while  a  temple  was  erect- 
ed— SACRED  TO  FILIAL  PIETX. 

Varieties.  1.  The  mind  should  shine 
through  the  casket,  that  contains  it ;  its  elo- 
quence must  speak  in  the  clieek  ;  and  so  dis- 
tinctly should  it  be  wrought  in  the  whole 
countenance,  that  one  might  say,  the  body 
thinks,  as  well  as  feels,-  such  oratory  will 
never  cloy ,-  it  is  always  enchanting,  never  the 
same.  2.  A  gentleman,  lecturing  before  a 
lyceum,  remarked :  a  lady,  when  she  married, 
lost  her  personal  identity — her  distinctive 
character — and  was  like  a  dew-droj),  swallow- 
ed by  a  sunbeam.  3.  Let  ignorance  talk, 
learning  hath  its  value.  4.  Where  mystery 
is  practiced,  there  is  generally  something  bad 
to  conceal,  or  something  incompatible  with 
candor,  or  ingenuousness,  which  form  the 
chief  characteristic  of  genuine  innocence.  5. 
The  worst  man  is  often  he,  who  thinks  him- 
self the  best.  6.  A  benefit  is  a  good  office,  done 
with  intention  and  judgment.  7.  He,  who 
punishes  an  enemy,  has  a  momentary  de- 
light; but  he  who  forgives  him,  has  an  abid- 
ing satisfaction. 

Despair  shall  round  their  souls  be  twin'd, 
And  drink  the  vigor  of  their  mind : 
As  round  the  oak  rank  ivy  cleaves, 
Steals  its  sap,  and  blasts  its  leaves. 
Like  yonder  blasted  boughs,  by  lightning  riven, 
Perfection,  beauty,  life,  they  never  know, 
But  froivn  on  all,  that  pass,  a  monument  of  woe. 

I  saw,  on  the  top  of  a  mountain  high 

A  gem,  that  shone  Yikefire  by  night; 
It  seem'd  a  star,  that  had  left  the  sky, 

And  dropp'd  to  sleep  on  the  lonely  height. 
I  clomb  the  peak,  and  found  it  soon 

A  lump  of  ice,  in  the  clear  cold  moon — 
Can  you  its  hidden  sense  impart? 

'Twas  a  cheerful  look,  and  a  broken  heart. 

Favors — to  none,  to  all,  she  smiles  extends, 
Oft  she  rejects. — but  never  once — offends. 
Q2 


186 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


SORROW  AND  SADNESS. 


478.  In  sor- 
row, when 
moderate,  the 

countenance 
is  dejected, 
the  eyes  are 
cast  down, the 
arms  hang  / 
lax,  some-  | 
times  a  little  / 
raised,  sud-  U- 
denly  to  fill  v 
again; the 
hands  open, 
the  fingers 
spread,  the 
voice  plain- 
tive, and  fre- 
quently inter- 
rupted with  sighs.  But  when  immoderate","  it 
distorts  the  countenance,  as  if  in  agonies  of  pain; 
raises  the  voice  to  the  loudest  complainings,  and 
sometimes  even  to  cries  and  shrieks ;  wrings 
the  hands,  heats  the  head  and  hreast,  tears  the 
hair,  and  throws  itself  on  the  ground  ;  like  some 
other  passions  in  excess,  it  borders  on  phrenzy. 

Say  that  again  ;  the  shadow  of  my  sorrow ! 
Ha  !  let's  see  : 

'Tis  very  true,  my  grief  lies  all  within  ; 
And  these  external  manners  of  lament, 
Are  merely  shadows  to  the  unseen  grief, 
That  swells,  with  silence,  in  my  tortured  soul ; 
There — lies  the  substance; 
And  I  thank  thee,  king, 
For  the  great  bounty,  that  not  only  giv'st 
Me  cause  to  wail,  but  teaches  me  the  way, 
How  to  lament  the  cause.    I'll  beg  one  boon, 
And  then  be  gone,  and  trouble  you  no  more. 
Pelayo — stood  confused  :  he  had  not  seen 
Count  Julian's  dau'ter,  since  in  Roderick's  court, 
Glittering  in  beauty  and  in  innocence, 
A  radiant  vision,  in  her  joy,  she  moved  : 
More  like  a  poet's  dream,  in  form  divine, 
Heaven's  prototype  of  perfect  womanhood, 
So  lovely  was  the  presence, — than  a  thing 
Of  earth  and  perishable  elements. 
Note,  had  he  seen  her  in  her  icinding-sheet, 
Less  painful  would  that  spectacle  have  proved  ; 
For  peace  is  with  the  dead,  and  piety 
Bringeth  a  patient  hope  to  those,  who  mourn 
O'er  the  departed;  but  this  alter'd  face, 
Bearing  its  deadly  sorrow  character'd, 
Came  like  a  ghost,  which  in  the  grave, 
Could  find  no  rest.     He,  taking  her  cold  hand, 
Rais'd  her,  and  would  have  spok'n ;  but  his  tung, 
Fail'd  in  its  office  ;  and  could  only  speak 
In  under-lone,  compassionate,  her  name. 

The  voice  of  pity — sooth'd,  and  melted  her, 
And,  when  the  prince  bade  her  be  comforted, 
Proffering  his  zealous  aid  in  whatsoe'er 
Might  phase  her  to  appoint,  a  feeble  smile 
Past  slowly  over  her  pale  countenance, 
Like  moonlight — on  a  marble  statue. 

For  forms  of  government,  let  fools  contest ; 
Whafc'er  is  best  administered — is  best: 
For  modes  of  faith— let  priceless  zealots  fieht ; 
His — can't  be  wrong,  whose  life — is  in  the  right 
Those  hearts,  that  start  at  once  into  a  blaze, 
And  openall  their  ra<c,  like  summer  storms, 
At  once  discharged,  grow  cool  again,  and  calm. 


liove  of  Justice.  A  sense  of  justice  should 
be  the  foundation  of  all  our  social  qualities.  In 
our  most  early  intercourse  with  the  world,  and 
even  in  our  most  youthful  amusements,  no  un- 
fairness should  be  found.  That  sacred  rule,  of 
doing  all  things  to  others,  according  as  we  wish 
they  would  do  unto  us,  should  be  engraved  on 
our  minds.  For  this  end,  we  should  impress  our- 
selves with  a  deep  sense  of  the  original  and 
natural  equality  of  man. 

Anecdote.  When  king  Agrippa  was  in  a 
private  station,  he  was  accused,  by  one  of  his 
servants,  of  speaking  ill  of  Tiberius,  and  was 
condemned  by  the  emperor  to  be  exposed  in 
chains  before  the  palace  gate.  The  weather 
being  hot,  he  was  thirsty,  and  called  to  Ca- 
ligula's servant,  Thaumastus,  who  was  pass- 
ing with  a  pitcher  of  water,  to  give  him  some 
drink ,-  assuring  him,  if  he  got  out  of  his 
captivity,  he  would  pay  him  well.  Tiberius 
dying,  Caligula  succeeded  him,  and  set  Agrip- 
pa at  liberty,  making  him  Icing  of  Judea;  in 
which  situation,  he  remembered  the  glass  of 
water,  sent  for  Thaumastus,  and  made  him 
controller  of  his  household. 

Varieties.  1.  The/bZfourc'ng-isthetitleof  a 
book,  published  in  England,  in  Cromwell's 
time :  "  Curious  custards,  carefully  conserved 
for  the  chickens  of  the  covenant,  and  spar- 
rows of  the  spirit,  and  the  sweet  swallows  of 
salvation."      2.    Superabundant  prosperity, 
tends  to  involve  the  human  mind  in  dark- 
ness :  it  takes  away  the  greatest  stimulus  to 
exertion,  represses  activity,  renders  us  idle, 
and  inclines  us  to  vice.    3.  Venture  not  on 
the  precipice  of  temptation ;  the  ground  may 
be  firm  as  a  rock  under  your  feet,  but  a  false 
step,  or  a  sudden  blast,  may  be  your  destruc- 
tion.   4.  Discretion  has  been  termed  the  bet- 
ter part  of  valor  ;  and  diffidence,  the  better 
part  of  knowledge.    5.  To  combine  profun- 
dity with  perspicuity,  wit  with  judgment, 
sobriety  with  vivacity,  truth  with  novelty, 
and  all  of  them  with  liberality,  are  six  very 
difficult  things.   6.  Disguise  it  as  we  will,  tyr- 
anny is  a  bitter  thing.     7.  What  accident 
gains,  accident  may  take  away. 
Seems,  madam!  nay,  it  is:  I  know  not  seems. 
'Tis  not  alone  my  inky  cloak,  good  mother, 
Nor  customary  suits  of  solemn  black, 
Nor  windy  suspiration  of  forced  breath  ; 
No,  nor  the  fruitful  river  in  the  eye, 
Nor  the  dejected  'havior  of  the  visage, 
Together  with  all  forms,  modes,  shows  of  grief. 
That  can  denote  me  truly:  these,  indeed  seem, 
For  they  are  actions  that  a  man  might  play; 
But  I  have  that — within,  which  passeth  show, 
These — but  the  trappings  and  the  suits  of  wo. 
Sorrow  preys  upon 
Its  solitude,  and  nothing  more  diverts  it 
From  its  sad  visions  of  the  other  world, 
Than  calling  it,  at  moments,  back  to  this. 
The  busy — have  no  time  for  tears. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


187 


ATTENTION,  LISTENING,  &c, 
497.    A  t- 

T  E  N  T I O  N — to 

an     esteemed 
or  superior  IM 


same  aspect 
as  Inquiry, 
and  requires 
silence:  the 
eyes  are  often 
cast  upon  t 
ground,  some- 
times fixed  up- 
on the  speak- 
er ;  but  not  too 
pertly,  or  fami- 
liarly ;  when 
looking  at  ob- 
jects at  a  distance,  and  listening  to  sounds,  its 
manifestations  are  different.  Inquiry  into  some 
difficult  subject  fixes  the  body  in  nearly  one  posi- 
tion, the  head  somewhat  stooping,  the  eyes  poring, 
and  the  eye-brows  contracted. 

Pray  you,  once  more — 
Is  not  your  father  grown  incapable 
Of  reasonable  affairs?  is  he  not  stupid  [hear, 

With  age,  and  altering  rheums  ?    Can  he  speak, 
Know  man  from  man,  dispute  his  own  estate  ? 
Lies  he  not  bed-rid,  and  again  does  nothing, 
But  what  he  did  being  childish. 

Angelo — 
There  is  a  kind  of  character  in  thy  life — 
That,  to  the  observer,  doth  thy  history — 
Fully  unfold:  thyself  and  thy  belongings, 
Are  not  thine  own  so  proper  as  to  waste 
Thyself  upon  thy  virtue,  then  on  thee. 
Heaven  doth  with  us  as  we  with  torches  do, 
Not  light  them  for  themselves :  for  if  our  virtues 
Did  not  go  forth  of  us,  'twere  all  as  if 
We  had  them  not:  spirits  are  not  finely  touch'd — 
But  to  fine  issues;  nature  never  lends — 
The  smallest  scruple  of  her  excellence  ; 
But  like  a  thrifty  goddess,  she  determines 
Herself  the  glory  of  a  creditor, 
Both  thanks  and  praise. 

While  Chaos,  hush'd,  stands  listening  to  the  noise, 

And  wonders  at  confusion  not  his  own. 

I  look'd,  I  listen'd,  dreadful  sounds  I  hear, 

And  the  dire  form  of  hostile  gods  appear. 

Yet  hear  what  an  unskillful  friend  may  say: 

As  if  a  blind  man  should  direct  your  way  : 

So  I  myself,  tho'  wanting  to  be  taught, 

May  yet  impart  a  hint,  that's  worth  your  thought. 

What  can  the  fondest  mother  wish  for  more, 

Ev'n  for  her  darling  sons,  than  solid  sense, 

Perceptions  clear,  and  flowing  eloquence? 

Mourners.  Men  are  often  ingenious,  in 
making  themselves  miserable,  by  aggravat- 
ing, beyond  bounds,  the  evils,  which  they  are 
compelled  to  endure.  "I  will  restore  thy 
daughter  again  to  life"  said  an  eastern  sage 
to  a  prince,  who  grieved  immoderately  for  the 
loss  of  a  beloved  child;  "  provided,  thou  art 
able  to  engrave  on  her  tomb,  the  names  of 
three  persons,  who  have  never  mourned.'" 
The  prince  made  inquiry  after  such  persons; 
but  found  the  inquiry  rain,  and  was  silent. 


Maxims.  1.  We  shall  never  be  free  from 
debt,  till  we  learn  not  to  be  ashamed  of  industry 
and  economy.  2.  All  should  be  taught  how  to 
earn,  sane  and  enjoy  money,  3.  Teach  children  to 
savi  everything;  not  for  their  own  use  exclusively, 
for  this  would  make  them  sdfish;  teach  them  to 
share  everything  with  their  associates,  and  never 
to  destroy  anything.  4.  True  economy  can  be  as 
comfortable  with  a  little,  as  extravagance  can  with 
much.  5.  Never  lessen  good  actions,  nor  aggra- 
vate evil  ones.  6.  Good  works  are  a  rock;  ill  ones 
a  sandy  foundation.  7.  Some  receive  praise,  who 
do  not  deserve  it.  8.  It  is  safer  to  learn,  tlian  to 
teach.  9.  He,  who  conceals  his  opinion,  has  nothing 
to  answer  for.  10.  Reason,  like  the  sun,  is  com- 
mon to  all. 

Anecdote.  The  late  king  of  England, 
being  very  fond  of  Mr.  Whiston,  celebrated 
for  his  various  strictures  on  religion,  happen- 
ed to  be  walking  with  him  one  day,  in  Hamp- 
ton Court  gardens,  during  the  heat  of  his  per- 
secution. As  they  were  talking  upon  this 
subject,  his  majesty  observed, "  That  however 
right  he  might  be  in  his  opinions,  it  would  be 
better,  if  he  kept  them  to  himself."  "  Is  your 
majesty  really  serious  in  your  advice  V  an- 
swered the  old  man.  "  I  really  am,"  replied  the 
king.  "  Why,  then,''  says  \V  liiston, "  had  Mar- 
tin Luther  been  of  this  way  of  thinking,  where 
would  your  majesty  have  been  at  this  time?" 
"Varieties.  1 .  What  are  the  three  learned 
professions'!  2.  Great  minds  can  attend  to 
little  things ;  but  little  minds  cannot  attend 
to  great  tilings.  3.  To  marry  a  rake,  in 
hopes  of  reforming  him,  and  to  hire  a  high- 
loayman,  in  hopes  of  reclaiming  him,  are 
two  very  dangerous  experiments.  4.  A  clear 
idea,  produces  a  stronger  effect  on  the  mind, 
than  one  that  is  obscure  and  indistinct.  5. 
Those  that  are  teaching  the  people  to  read, 
are  doing  aU  they  can  to  increase  the  power, 
and  extend  the  influence  of  those  that  write : 
for  the  child — will  read  to  please  his  teachers, 
but  the  man — to  please  himself.  6.  A  faith- 
ful friend,  that  reproveth  of  errors,  is  prefer- 
able to  a  deceitful  parasite.  7.  He  that  follows 
nature,  is  never  out  of  the  ivay.  8.  Time, 
patience,  and  industry,  are  the  three  grand 
masters  of  the  world. 

\f  music  be  the  food  of  love,  play  on; 

Give  me  excess  of  it ;  that,  surfeiting, 

The  appetite  may  sicken,  and  so  die. 

That  strain  again ; — it  had  a  dying  fall ; 

O,  it  came  o'er  my  ear,  like  the  sweet  south, 

That  breathes  upon  a  bank  of  violets, 

Stealing  and  giving  odor.    Enough,  no  more ; 

'Tis  not  so  sweet  noiv  as  it  was  before. 

O  spirit  of  love,  how  quick  a.n&  fresh  art  thou ! 

That,  notwithstanding  thy  capacity 

Receiveth  as  the  sea,  nought  enters  there, 

Of  what  validity  and  pitch  soever, 

But  falls  into  abatement  and  lowyriw, 

Even  in  a  minute!  sofutt  of  shapes  is  fancy, 

That  it  alone  is  high  fantastical. 


188 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


SURPRISE.  WONDER:  AMAZEMENT. 

480.  An  un- 
common object 
produces  won- 
der ;  if  it  appears 
suddenly,  it  be- 
gets  surprise, 
which  continued, 
produces  amaze- 
ment, and  if  the 
object  of  wonder 
comes  gently  to 
the  mind,  and  a- 
verts  the  atten- 
tion by  its  beauty 
and  grandeur,  it 
excites  admira- 
tion, which  is 
a  mixture  of  ap- 
probation a  n  d 
wonder;  so  sure  is  the  observation  of  the  poet; 
I/ate  time  shall  wonder,  that  my  joys  shall  raise  ; 
For  wonder  is  involuntary  praise. 

Wonder  or  Amazement — opens  the  eyes  and 
makes  them  appear  very  prominent :  sometimes 
it  raises  them  to  the  skies ;  but  more  frequently 
fixes  them  upon  the  object,  if  it  be  present,  with 
a  fearful  look  :  the  mouth  is  open  and  the  hands 
held  up  nearly  in  the  attitude  ot'fear;  and  if  they 
hold  anything,  they  drop  it  immediately,  and  un- 
consciously ;  the  voice  is  at  first  low,  but  so  em- 
phatical  that  every  word  is  pronounced  slowly 
and  with  energy,  though  the  first  access  of  this 
passion  often  stops  all  utterance  ;  when,  by  the 
discovery  of  something  excellent  in  the  object  of 
wonder,  the  emotion  may  be  called  admiration, 
the  eyes  are  raised,  the  hands  are  lifted  up,  and 
clapp'd  together,  and  the  voice  elevated  with  ex- 
pressions of  rapture. 

Thou  art,  O  God  '.  the  life  and  light 

Of  all  this  wondrous  world  we  see  ; 
Its  glow  by  day,  its  smile  by  night, 

Are  but  reflections  caught  from  thee. 
Where'er  we  turn,  thy  glories  shine, 
And  all  things  fair  and  bright  are  Thine ! 
When  Day,  with  farewell  beam,  delays 

Among  the  opening  clouds  of  even, 
And  we  can  almost  think  we  gaze 

Through  golden  vistas  into  Heaven, 
Those  hues,  that  make  the  sun's  decline 
So  soft,  so  radiant,  Lord !  are  Thine. 
When  Night,  with  wings  of  starry  gloom, 

O'ershadows  all  the  earth  and  skies, 
Like  some  dark,  beauteous  bird,  whose  plume 

Is  sparkling  with  unnumber'd  eyes, — 
That  sacred  gloom,  those  fires  divine, 
So  grand,  so  countless,  Lord  !  are  Thine. 
When  youthful  Spring  around  us  breathes, 

Thy  spirit  warms  her  fragrant  sigh  ; 
And  every  flower  the  Summer  wreathes, 

Is  born  beneath  that  kindling  eye. 
Where'er  we  turn,  thy  glories  shine, 
And  all  things  fair  and  bright  are  Thine  ! 
How  inexpressibly  curious  are  the  charac- 
teristics impressed  by  the  Creator  on  all  hu- 
man beings  !    How  has  he  stamped  on  each 
its  legible  and   peculiar  properties.'    How 
My  visible  in  this  the  lowest  class  of  an- 
imal life !    The  world  of  insects,  is  a  world 
of  itself:  how  great  the  distance  between  it 
and  man!    Through  all  their  farms,  and 
gradations,  how  visible  are  their  powers  of 


destruction,  of  suffering  and  resisting,  of 
sensibility  and  insensibility  ! 
Importance  of  Early  Principles.    If 

men's  actions  are  an  effect  of  their  principles,  that 
is,  of  their  notions,  their  belief,  their  persuasions,  it 
must  be  admitted,  that  principles — early  sown  in  the 
mind,  are  the  seeds,  which  produce./™/*  and  harvest 
in  the  ripe  state  of  manhood.  How  lightly  soever 
some  men  may  speak  of  notions,  yet,  so  long  as 
the  soul  governs  the  body,  mens  notions  must  in- 
fluence their  actions,  more  or  less,  as  they  are 
stronger  or  weaker :  and  to  good  or  evil,  as  they 
are  better  or  worse. 

Anecdote.  Cyrus,  the  great  king  of  Per- 
sia, when  a  boy,  being  at  the  court  of  his 
grandfather  As-fy-a-ges,  engaged  to  perform 
the  office  of  cup-bearer  at  table.  The  duty 
of  this  office  required  him  to  taste  the  liquor, 
before  presenting  it  to  the  king  ,■  but  with- 
out performing  this  duty,  Cyrus  delivered 
the  cup  to  his  grandfather ;  who  observed  the 
omission,  which  he  imputed  to  forgetfulness. 
"  No,"  said  Cyrus,  "  I  purposely  avoided  it: 
because  I  feared  it  contained  poison :  for 
lately,  at  an  entertainment,  I  observed  that 
the  lords  of  your  court,  after  drinking  it,  be- 
came noisy,  quarrelsome  and  frantic." 

Varieties.  1.  In  every  departure  from 
truth,  it  is  the  deceit  and  hypocricy  .we  exert, 
to  compass  our  purpose,  that  docs  the  evil, 
more  than  the  base  falsehood,  of  which  we 
are  guilty.  2.  It  is  a  strong  proof  of  the 
want  of  proper  attention  to  our  duty,  and  of 
a  deficiency  of  energy  and  good  sense,  to  let 
an  opportunity  pass,  of  doing  or  getting 
good,  without  improving  it.  3.  Of  all  the 
passions,  jealousy  is  that  which  exacts  the 
hardest  service,  and  pays  the  bitterest  wages  ,- 
its  service  is  to  watch  the  success  of  a  rival; 
its  wages — to  be  sure  of  it.  4.  Base  envy 
withers  at  another 's  joy,  and  hates  that  excel- 
lence it  cannot  reach.  5.  How  does  the  men- 
tal and  bodily  statures  of  the  ancients,  com- 
pare with  those  of  the  moderns  ?  6.  It 
seems  like  a  law  of  order,  that  no  one  shall 
be  long  remembered  with  affection,  by  a  race 
whom  he  has  never  benefitted.  7.  The  char- 
ity, that  relieves  distressed  minds,  is  far  su- 
perior to  that,  which  relieves  distressed  bodies. 
S.  Think'st  thou — it  is  honorable — for  a  no- 
bleman still  to  remember  wrong  1  9.  This 
is  the  monstrosity  of  love,  that  the  will — is 
infinite,  and  the  execution — confined;  that 
the  desire — is  boundless,  and  the  act — a  slave 
to  limit. 

What's  in  a  name  ;  that  -which  we  call  a  rose, 
By  any  other  name — would  smell  as  sweet. 
Glory — is  like  a  circle  in  the  water, 
Which  never  ceascth  to  enlarge  itself, 
Till,  by  broad  spreading,  it  disperses  to  nought. 
God's  benison  go  with  you  ;  and  with  those, 
That  would  make  good  of  bad,  and  friends — of  foes. 
The  things  we  must  believe — are  few,  and  plain. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


189 


VENERATION,  DEVOTION. 
481.  Ve- 

jteration — 
to  parents, 
te  ac  hers, 
superiors  or 
persons  o  f 
eminent  vir- 
tue and  at- 
tainments j 
is  an  humble 
and  respect- 
ful acknow- 
Iedgment 
of  tlieir  ex- 
cellenc  e, 
and  our  own 
inferiority: 
the  head  and 
body  are  in- 
clined a  little  forward,  and  the  hand,  with  the 
palm  downwards,  just  raised  to  meet  the  inclina- 
tion of  the  body,  and  then  let  fall  again  with  ap- 
parent timidity  and  diffidence ;  the  eye  is  some- 
times lifted  up,  and  then  immediately  cast  down- 
ward, as  if  unworthy  to  behold  the  object  before 
it ;  the  eyebrows  drawn  down  in  the  most  respect- 
ful manner;  the  features,  and  the  whole  body  and 
limbs,  all  composed  to  the  most  profound  gravity; 
one  portion  continuing  without  much  change. 
When  veneration  rises  to  adoration  of  the  Al- 
mighty Creator  and  Redeemer,  it  is  too  sacred  to 
be  imitated,  and  seems  to  demand  that  humble 
annihilation  of  ourselves,  which  must  ever  be  the 
consequence  of  a  just  sense  of  the  Divine  Majesty, 
and  our  own  unworthiness.  This  feeling  is  al- 
ways accompanied  with  more  or  less  of  awe,  ac- 
cording to  the  object,  place,  &c.  Respect — is  but 
a  less  degrees  of  veneration,  and  is  nearly  allied 
to  modesty. 

Aimigtity  God  !  'tis  right,  'tis  just, 
That  earthly  frames — should  turn  to  dust; 
But  O,  the  sweet,  transporting  truth, 
The  soul — shall  bloom  in  endless  youth. 
In  its  sublime  research,  philosophy 
May  measure  out  the  ocean-deep — may  count 
The  sands,  or  the  Sufi's  rays — but,  God!  for  thee 
There  is  no  weight  nor  measure:  none  can  mount 
Up  to  thy  mysteries ;  Reason's  brightest  spark, 
Though  kindled  by  thy  light,  in  vain  would  try 
To  trace  thy  counsels,  infinite  and  dark: 
And  thought  is  lost,  ere  thought  can  soar  so  high, 
Even  like  past  moments — in  eternity. 
This  world — is  all  a  fleeting  show, 

For  man's  illusion  given ; 
The  smiles  of  joy, — the  tears  of  woe, 
Deceitful  sfe'n«,  deceitful  flow — 

There's  nothing  true — but  Heaven'. 
And  false  the  light — on  glory's  plume, 

As  fading  hues  of  even  ; 
And  love,  and  hope,  and  beauty's  bloom, 
Are  blossoms — gather'd  for  the  tomb, — 
There's  nothing  bright — but  Heaven! 
Poor  wanderers — of  a  stormy  day, 

From  wave — to  wave — we  're  driven, 
And  fancy's  flash,  and  reason's  ray, 
Serve  but  to  light — the  troubled  way — 
There's  nothing  calm — but  Heaven! 
He  was  too  good — 
Where  ill  men  were':  and  was  best  of  all — 
Among  the  rarest  of  good  ones. 

When  usefulness,  and  pleasure  join, 
Perfection — crowns  the  grand  design. 


Anecdote.  Pulpit  Flattery.  One  of  the 
first  acts,  performed  by  the  voting  monarch, 
George  the  Third,  after  Lis  accession  to  the 
throne  of  England,  was,  to  issue  an  order, 
prohibiting  any  of  the  clergy,  who  should  be 
called  before  him,  from  paying  him  any  com- 
pliments in  their  discourse.  His  majesty  was 
led  to  this,  from  the  fulsome  adulation  which 
Dr.  Thomas  Wilson,  prebendary  of  Westmin- 
ster, thought  proper  to  deliver,  in  the  royal 
chapel;  and  for  which,  instead  of  thanks,  he 
received  a  pointed  reprimand;  his  majesty 
observing,  "  that  he  came  to  hear  the  praise 
of  God,  and  not  his  own" 

Love.  The  brightest  part  of  love  is  its  confi- 
dence. It  is  that  perfect,  that  unhesitating  reli- 
ance, that  interchange  of  every  idea  and  every 
feeling,  that  perfect  community  of  the  heart's  se- 
crets and  the  mind's  thoughts,  which  binds  two 
beings  together  more  closely,  more  dearly  than 
the  dearest  of  human  ties;  more  than  the  vow  of 
passion,  or  the  oath  of  the  altar.  It  is  that  confi- 
dence which,  did  we  not  deny  its  sway,  would 
give  to  earthly  love  a  permanence  that  we  find 
but  very  seldom  in  this  world. 

Varieties.  1.  Some  misfortunes  seem  to 
be  inevitable  ,•  but  they  generally  proceed  from 
our  want  of  judgment,  and  prudence.  2.  Ig- 
norance of  the  facts,  upon  which  a  science  is 
based,  precludes  much  proficiency  in  that 
science.  3.  Trade,  like  a  restive  horse,  is  not 
easily  managed  ;  where  one  is  carried  to  the 
end  of  a  successful  journey,  many  are  thrown 
off  by  the  way.  4.  No  accident  can  do  harm 
to  virtue ,-  it  helps  to  make  it  manifest.  5. 
True  faith  is  a  practical  principle ;  it  is  doing 
what  we  understand  to  be  true.  6.  It  is  very 
difficult  to  talk  and  act  like  a  madman,  bu* 
not  like  a  fool.  7.  Rely  not  on  the  compan- 
ions of  your  pleasure  ;  trust  not  the  associ- 
ates of  your  health  and  prosperity ,-  it  is  only 
in  the  hour  of  adversity,  that  we  learn  the 
sincerity  of  our  friends.  8.  The  genuine  feel- 
ings of  human  nature,  are  always  the  same  ; 
and  the  language  of  passion  every  where  un- 
derstood. 9.  Demosthenes  said,  that  action, 
or  delivery,  constitutes  the  beginning,  middle 
and  end  of  oratory.  10.  In  proportion  as  a 
truth  is  great,  and  transcending  the  capacity 
of  the  age,  it  is  either  rejected,  or  forgotten. 
Let  me  not  to  the  marriage  of  true  minds 

Admit  impediments.    Love  is  not  love, 
Which  alters  when  it  alteration  finds, 

Or  bends  with  the  remover  to  remove  : 

0  no !  it  is  an  ever-fixed  mark, 

That  looks  on  tempests,  and  is  never  shaken; 
It  is  the  star  to  every  wandering  bark,  [ken. 

Whose  worth's  unknown,  altho'  his  height  be  ta- 
Love's  not  Time's  fool,  tho'  rosy  lips  and  cheeks 

Within  its  bending  sickle's  compass  come; 
Love  alters  not  with  his  brief  hours  and  weeks, 

But  bears  it  out  e'en  to  the  edge  of  doom. 
If  this  be  error,  and  upon  me  prov'd, 

1  never  writ,  nor  no  man  ever  lov'd. 


190 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


SCORN,  CONTEMPT 


482.  Sneer 
is  ironical 
approbation ; 
Willi  a  voice 
and  counte- 
nance  of 
mirth,  some- 
what exagge- 
rated,we  cast 
the  severest 
censure ;  it  is 
li  y  pocr  itical 
mirth  and 
good  humor, 
am!  (1  iffe  rs 
from  the  real 
by  the  sly, 
srch,  satyri- 
cal  tones  of  voice,  look  and  gesture,  that  accom- 
pany it;  the  nose  is  sometimes  turned  up,  to 
manifest  our  contempt,  disdain.  Scorn — is  the 
extreme  of  contempt  ;  that  disdain,  which 
springs  from  a  person's  opinions  of  the  mean- 
ness of  an  object,  and  a  consciousness,  or  belief 
of  his  own  worth  and  superiority. 

Satan  beheld  their  flight, 

And  to  his  mates — thus,  in  derision  call'd  : 

O  friends !  why  come  not  on  those  victors  proud? 

Ere  while,  l\\ey  fierce  were  coming,  and  when  we, 

To  entertain  them  fair,  with  open  front,     [terms 

And  breast,  (what  could  Ave  more  ?)  propounded 

Of  composition — strai't  they  changed  their  minds, 

Flew  off,  and  into  strange  vagaries  fell, 

As  they  would  dance;  yet  for  a  dance,  they  rais'd 

Somewhat  extravagant  and  wild,  perhaps  for 

Joy  of  offer'd  peace  ;  but  I  suppose, 

If  our  proposals  once  again  were  heard, 

We  should  compel  them  to  a  quick  result. 

483.  You  pretend  to  reason?  you  don't 
so  much  as  know  the  first  elements  of  the  art 
of  reasoning  :  you  don't  know  the  difference 
between  a  category  and  a  predicament,  nor 
between  a  major  and  a  minor.    Are  you  a 
doctor,  and  don't  know  that  there  is  a  com- 
munication between  the  brain  and  the  legs? 
2.  Sneer.  He  has  been  an  author  these  twen- 
ty years,  to  his  bookseller's  knowledge,  if  to 
no  one's  else.    3.  Chafe  not  thyself  about  the 
rabble's  censure :  they  blame,  or  praise,  but 
as  one  leads  the  other. 
O  what  a  rogue  and  peasant  slave  am  I ! 
Is  it  not  monstrous,  that  this  player  here, 
But  in  a  fiction,  in  a  dream  of  passion, 
Could  force  his  soul  so  to  his  own  conceit, 
That  from  her  working,  all  his  visage  warm'd, 
Tears  in  his  eyes,  distraction  in  his  aspect, 
A  broken  voice,  and  his  whole  function  suiting, 
With  forms  to  his  conceit!  and  all  for  nothing; 
Ibt  Hecuba  '. 

What's  Hecuba  to  him,  or  he  to  Hecuba, 
That  he  should  weep  for  her  ? 

Thou  look'st  a  very  statue  of  surprise, 
As  if  a  lightnins  blast  had  dried  thee  up, 
And  had  not  left  thee  moisture  for  a  tear. 
How,  like  a  broken  instrument,  beneath 
Tin-  skillful  touch,  my  joyless  heart  lies  dead  ! 

Nor  answers  to  tin.  master's  band  divine. 
What  ran  ennoble  sots,  or  slaves,  or  cowards  ? 


The  Investigation  of  Thought.  While 
investigating  the  natkre  of  thought,  we  forget 
that  we  are  thinking:  we  propose  to  understand 
that,  which,  in  the  very  effort  to  do  so,  necessa- 
rily becomes  the  more  unintelligible;  for  while 
we  think  that  we  appreciate  the  desired  end,  the 
power  that  enables  us  to  do  so,  is  a  part  of  the 
thing  sought,  which  must  remain  inexplicable. 
Since  it  is  impossible  to  understand  the  nature 
of  thought  by  thinking,  it  is  manifest,  that  every 
modification  of  thought,  must  be  quite  obscure  in 
its  nature;  and,  for  the  same  reason,  in  judging 
of  what  we  call  ideas,  we  must  use  ideas  derived 
from  the  same  original,  while  every  judgment  is 
only  a  new  modification.  Therefore,  the  only 
true  philosophy  of  mind,  must,  as  to  its  princi- 
ples, be  revealed.  Has  there  been  such  a  revela- 
tion'! 

Anecdote.  Brotherly  Love.  A  little  boy, 
seeing  two  nestling  birds  peck  at  each  other, 
inquired  of  his  elder  brother,  what  they  were 
doing.  "They  are  quarreling,'"  was  the 
reply.  " No,"  replied  the  other,  "that  can- 
not be,  for  they  are  brothers." 

VARIETIES. 

But  seven  wise  men  the  ancient  world  did  know  ; 
We  scarce  know  sev'n, who  think  thems'lo's  not  so. 
If  a  better  system's  thine, 
Impart  it  freely  ;  or  make  use  of  mine. 
3.  He,  who  knows  the  ivorld,  will  not  be  too 
bashful ,-  and  he,  who  knows  himself,  will 
never  be  impudent.  4.  To  speak  all  that  is 
true,  is  the  part  of  fools ;  to  speak  more  than 
is  true,  is  the  folly  of  too  many.  5.  Does  a 
candle  give  as  much  light  in  the  day  time,  as 
at  night  ?  6.  I  am  not  worthy  of  a  friend, 
if  I  do  not  advise  him  when  he  is  going 
astray.  7.  A  bad  great  man,  is  a  great  bad 
man ;  for  the  greatness  of  an  evil,  makes  a 
man's  evil  greater.  8.  All  public  vices,  are 
not  only  crimes,  but  rules  of  error ;  for  they 
are  precedents  of  evil.  9.  Toyish  airs,  please 
trivial  ears  ;  they  kiss  the  fancy,  and  then  be- 
tray it.  10.  Oh!  what  bitter  pills  men  swal- 
low, to  purchase  one  false  good. 

Aside  the  devil  turn'd, 
For  envy,  yet  with  jealous  leer  malign, 
Ey'd  them  askance,  and  to  himself  thus  plain'd  : 
Sight  hateful,  sight  tormenting !  thus  these  two, 
Ii.iparadis'd  in  one  another's  arms, 
The  happier  Eden  shall  enjoy  their  fill 
Of  bliss  on  bliss  :  while;  I  to  hell  am  thrust, 
Where  neither  joy  nor  love,  but  fierce  desire, 
Among  our  other  torments,  not  the  least, 
Still  unfulfilled,  with  pain  of  longing  pines. 
Learning  is  an  addition  beyond 
Nobility  of  birth  :  honor  of  blood, 
Without  the  ornament  of  knowledge,  is 
A  glorious  ignorance. 
Self-love  never  yet  could  look  on  Truth, 
But  with  blear'd  beams  ;  sleek  Flattery  and  she 
Are  twin-born  sisters,  and  so  mix  their  eyes, 
As  if  you  sever  one,  the  other  dies. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


191 


FEAR,  CAUTION, 

484.  Fear 
is  a  power  ful 
emotion,  excited 
by  expectation  of 
some  evil,  or  ap-' 
prehension  of  im- 
pending danger; 
it  expresses  less 
apprehension 
than  dread,  and 
this  less  than  ter- 
ror or  fright:  it 
excites  us  to  pro- 
vide for  our  secu- 
rity on  the  ap- 
proach of  evil; 
sometimes  settles 
into  deep  anxie- 
ty, or  solicitude : 
it  may  be  either  filial  in  the  good,  or  slavish  in 
the  wicked.  See  the  engraving  for  its  external 
appearance,  and  also  Terror  or  Fright. 

Now,  all  is  7i«sAW — and  still,  as  death! 

How  reverend  is  this  tall  pile, 

Whose  ancient  pillars  rear  their  marble  heads, 

To  bear  aloft  its  arch'd  and  ponderous  roof, 

By  hs  otcn  weight  made  steadfast  and  immovable, 

Looking — tranquillity  !  it  strikes  an  awe, 

And  terror  on  my  aching  sight.  [cold, 

The  to77ibs,  and  monumental  caves  of  death,  look 

And  shooi  a  chillness  to  my  trembling  heart. 

Give  me  thy  hand,  and  let  me  hear  thy  voice; 

Nay,  quickly  speak  to  me,  and  let  me  hear 

Thy  voice — my  own  aff  rights  me  with  its  echoes. 

Tis  night.'  the  season  when  the  happy — take 

Repose,  and  only  witches  are  awake  ; 

Now,  discontented  ghosts  begin  their  rounds, 

Haunt  ruin'd  buildings  and  unwholesome  grounds. 

First,  Fear — his  hand  its  skill  to  try, 

Amid  the  chords  bewilder'd  laid  ; 
And  back  recoil'd,  he  knew  not  why, 

Ev'n  at  the  sound  himself  had  made. 
A  sudden  trembling — seized  on  all  his  limbs, 
His  eyes  distorted  grew,  his  visage— pale; 
His  speech  forsook  him  ! 

Full  fast  he  flies,  and  dares  not  look  behind  him ; 
Till,  out  of  breath,  he  overtakes  his  fellows, 
Who  gather  round,  and  wonder  at  the  lots  of 

horrid  apparitions. 
Come,  old  sir, — here's  the  place — stand  still ; 
How  fearful  'tis  to  cast  one's  eyes  so  low  ! 
The  croivs  and  choughs,  th't  wing  the  midway  air, 
Show  scarce  so  gross  as  beetles.    Halfway  down, 
Hangs  one  that  gathers  samphire,  dreadful  trade  '. 
Methinks  he  seems  no  bigger  than  one's  head; 
The  fishermen  th't  walk  upon  the  beach, 
Appear  like  mice,  and  yon  tall  anchoring  bark, 
Seems  lessen'd  to  a  skiff; — her  skiff  a  buoy, 
Almost  too  small  for  sight.    The  murmuring  surge, 
That  on  unnumber'd  idle  pebbles  chafes, 
Cannot  lie  heard  so  high.    I'll  look  no  more, 
Lest  my  brain  turn,  and  the  disorder  make  me 
Tumble  down  headlong. 

Anecdote.  A  nobleman,  traveling  in 
Scotland,  was  asked  for  alms,  in  Edinburgh, 
by  a  little  ragged  boy.  He  told  him  he  had  no 
change;  upon  which  the  boy  offered  to  pro- 
cure it.    His  lordship  finally  gave  him  a  piece 


of  silver,  which  the  boy  conceiving  was  to  be 
changed,  went  for  that  purpose;  but,  on  his 
return,  not  finding  his  benefactor,  lie  watched 
several  days ;  at  length  the  gentleman  passed 
that  way ;  when  the  boy  accosted  him,  and 
gave  him  all  the  change,  counting  it  with 
great  exactness.  The  nobleman  was  so 
pleased  with  the  boy's  honesty,  that  he  placed 
him  at  school,  with  the  assurance  of  provid- 
ing for  him  afterwards;  which  he  did,  and 
that  boy  became  an  ornament  to  humanity. 

Etiquette  of  Stairs.  In  showing  a  vis- 
itor— up  or  down  stairs,  always  precede  him, 
or  her :  there  is  a  common  error  upon  this 
subject,  which  ought  to  be  corrected.  Some 
persons  will  suffer  you  to  precede  them ;  even 
when  they  hold  the  light.  Gentlemen  should 
always  precede  ladies,  up  and  down  stairs. 

Etiquette  of  Riding.  The  gentleman 
should  keep  the  lady  on  the  right  hand,  that 
she  may  the  more  conveniently  converse  with 
him,  and  he  may  the  more  readily  assist  her, 
in  case  of  accident. 

"Varieties.  1.  When  you  have  bought 
one  fine  thing,  you  must  buy  ten  more ;  so 
that  your  appearance  may  all  be  of  a  piece. 
2.  Miraculous  evidence,  is  inefficacious  for 
producing  any  real,  or  permanent  change  in 
one's  confirmed  religious  sentiments;  and 
this  is  the  reason,  that  no  more  of  the  Scribes 
and  Pharisees  of  old,  embraced  the  christian 
religion.  3.  The  great  secret,  by  which  hap- 
piness is  to  he  realized,  is  to  be  contented 
with  our  lot,  and  yet  strive  to  make  it  better, 
by  abstaining  from  everything  that  is  evil.  4. 
Every  one  is  responsible  for  his  own  acts :  all 
must  be  judged  according  to  their  deeds.  5. 
Is  it  not  much  easier  to  blame,  than  to  avoid 
blame?  6.  What  is  the  difference  between 
good  and  evil?  7.  What  makes  us  so  dis- 
contented with  our  condition,  is  the  false  and 
exaggerated  estimate,  we  form  of  the  happi- 
ness of  others.  8.  It  is  much  easier  to  plunge 
into  extravagance,  than  to  reduce  our  ex- 
penses; this  is  pre-eminently  true  of  nations, 
as  well  as  individuals.  9.  Be  decisive,  or 
mild,  according  to  circumstances.  10.  Suit 
your  conduct  to  the  occasion. 

As  flame  ascends, 
As  bodies  to  their  proper  centre  move, 
As  the  pois'd  ocean  to  the  attracting  moon 
Obedient  swells,  and  every  headlong  stream 
Devolves  its  winding  waters  to  the  main, 
So  all  things  which  have  life  aspire  to  God, 
The  sun  of  being,  boundless,  unimpair'd, 
Centre  of  souls. 

Nature 
Never  did  bring  forth  a  man  without  a  man; 
Nor  could  the  first  man,  being  but 
The  passive  subject,  not  the  active  mover, 
Be  the  maker  of  himself;  so  of  necessity, 
There  must  be  a  power  superior  to  nature. 
Spare  not,  nor  spend  too  much ;  be  this  your  care — 
Spare— but  to  spend,  and  only  spend  to  spare. 


192 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


SIMPLE  LAUGHTER. 

Rail- 


485. 
ery — may  sig- 
nify a  banter- 
ing, a  prompt- 
ing to  the  use 
of  jesting  lan- 
guage; good 
humored  pleas- 
antry, or  slight 
satire;  satirical 
■merriment,  wit, 
irony,  bur- 
lesque. It  is 
very  difficult 
indeed,  to  mark 
the  precise 
boundaries  of 
the  different 
passions,  as 
some  of  them 
are  so  slightly  touch'd,  and  often  melt  into  each 
other ;  but  because  we  cannot  perfectly  delineate 
every  shade  of  sound  and  passion,  is  no  reason 
why  we  should  not  attempt  approaches  to  it. 

486.  Raillery,  without  animosity,  puts  on  the 
aspect  of  cheerfulness  ;  the  countenance  smiling, 
and  the  tone  of  voice  sprightly. 

Let  me  play  the  fool 
Whhmirlh  and  laughter  ;  so  let  the  wrinkles  come. 
And  let  my  liver  rather  heat  with  wine, 
Than  my  heart  cool  with  mortifying  groans. 
Why  should  a  man,  whose  blood  is  warm  within, 
Sit  like  his  grands  ire  cut  in  alabaster? 
Sleep  when  he  wakes,  and  creep  into  the  jaundice, 
By  being  peevish  ?  I  tell  thee  what,  Antonio, 
(I  love  thee,  and  it  is  my  love  that  speaks,) 
There  are  a  sort  of  men,  whose  visages 
Do  cream  and  mantle  like  a  standing  pond, 
And  do  a  willful  stillness  entertain, 
With  purpose  to  be  drest  in  opinion 
Of  wisdom,  gravity,  profound  conceit, 
As,  who  should  say,  I  am  Sir  Oracle, 
And  when  I  ope  my  lips,  let  no  dog  bark  I 
I'll  tell  thee  more  of  this  another  time ; 
But  fish  not  with  this  melancholy  bait, 
For  this  fool's  gudgeon,  this  opinion. 
Come,  good  Lorenzo,  fare-ye-well  a  while, 
I'll  end  my  exhortation  after  dinner. 

487.  Miscellaneous.  1.  It  is  impossi- 
ble, to  estimate,  even  an  inconsiderable 
effort  to  promote  right  education.  2.  It  is 
said,  that  a  stone,  thrown  into  the  sea,  agi- 
tates every  drop  of  water  in  that  vast  ex- 
panse ;  so  it  may  be,  in  regard  to  the  influ- 
ence we  exert  on  the  minds  of  the  young.  3. 
Who  can  tell,  what  may  be  the  effect  of  a  sin- 
gle good  principle,  deeply  fixed  in  the  mind; 
a  single  pure  and  virtuous  association  strong- 
ly riveted,  or  a  single  happy  turn  given  to  the 
thoughts  and  affections  of  youth?  It  may 
spread  a  salutary  and  sacred  influence  over 
the  whole  life,  and  thro'  the  whole  mass  of  the 
child's  character.  Nay  more  ;  as  the  charac- 
ter of  others,  who  arc  to  come  after  him,  may, 
and  probably  will  depend  much  on  his,  the  im- 
pulse we  give  cannot  cease  in  him,  who  first 
received,  it,  it  will  go  down  front  one  generation 
to  another,  widening  and  deepening,  and 
reaching  forth  with  various  modifications,  till 


the  track  of  its  agency  shall  exceed  human 
sight  and  calculation. 

Anecdote.  The  duke  of  Orleans,  on  be- 
ing appointed  regent  of  France,  insisted  on 
the  power  of  pardoning:  "  I  have  no  objec- 
tion," said  he,  "to  have  my  hands  tied  from 
doing  harm ;  but  I  will  have  them  free  to  do 
good." 

Truth.  Truth  will  ever  be  unpalatable  to 
those,  who  are  determined  not  to  relinquish 
error,  but  can  never  give  offence  to  the  hon- 
est and  well-meaning  :  for  the  plain-dealing 
remonstrances  of  a  friend — differ  as  widely 
from  the  rancor  of  an  enemy,  as  the  friendly 
probe  of  a  surgeon — from  the  dagger  of  an 
assassi?i. 

Varieties.    1.  Envy  is  blind  to  all  good; 
and  the  ruling  passion  of  the  envious  is,  to 
detract  from  the  virtues  of  others.    2.  A  good 
person  will  have  no  desire  to  influence  oth- 
ers, any  farther  than  they  can  see  that  his 
course  is  right.    3.  Good  fortune,  however 
long  continued,  is  no  pledge  of  future  secu- 
rity.   4.  Cases  often  occur,  when  a  prudent 
and  dignified  confession,  or  acknowledgment 
of  error,  gives  to  the  person  making  it,  a  de- 
cided advantage  over  his  adversary.  5.  Agi- 
tation is  to  the  moral  and  mental  world, 
what  storms  are  to  the  physical  world  ;  what 
winds  are  to  the  ocean,  what  exercise  is  to 
the  body.    6.  Truth  can  never  die,-  she  is 
immortal,  like  her  Author.    7.  There  are  a 
great  many  fools  in  the  world:  he  who  would 
avoid  seeing  one,  must  lock  himself  up  alone, 
and  break  his  looking  glass.    8.  What  we 
do  ourselves — is  generally  more  satisfactori- 
ly done,  than  what  is  done  by  others.  9.  Such 
is  the  state  of  the  world,  at  present,  that 
whoever  wishes  to  purchase  anything,  must 
beware.   10.  The  opposite  of  the  heavenly  vir- 
tues and  principles,  are  the  principles  of  hell. 
A  fool,  a.  fool,  I  met  a  fool  i'th'forest, 
A  motley  fool,  a  miserable  varlet; 
As  I  do  live  by  food,  I  met  a  fool, 
Who  laid  him  down,  and  bask'd  him  in  the  sun, 
And  rail'd  on  lady  Fortune  in  good  terms ; 
In  goo&  set  terms,  and  yet  a  motley  fool; 
Good  morrow,  fool,  quoth  I ;  No,  sir,  quoth  he, 
Call  me  not  fool,  till  heav'n  hath  sent  me  fortune; 
And  then  he  drew  a  dial  from  his  poak, 
And  looking  on  it,  with  lack-lustre  eye, 
Says,  very  wisely,  It  is  ten  o'clock  ; 
Thus  may  we  see,  quoth  he,  how  the  world  wags : 
'Tis  but  an  hour  ago  since  it  was  nine, 
And  after  one  hour  more  'twill  be  eleven, 
And  so  from  hour  to  hour  we  ripe  and  ripe, 
And  then  from  hour  to  hour  we  rot  and  rot, 
And  thereby  hangs  a  tale.    When  I  did  hear 
The  motley  fool  thus  moral  on  the  time, 
My  longs  began  to  crow  like  chanticleer, 
That  fools  should  be  so  deep  contemplative: 
And  I  did  laugh  sans  intermission 
An  hour  by  his  dial.     O  noble  fool ! 
A  worthy  fool !  motley's  the  only  wear 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


193 


HORROR. 

488.  Hor- 
ror— is  an  ex- 
cessive degree 

0  f  fear,  o  r  a 
painful  emo- 
tion, wli  i  c  h 
makes  a  per- 
son tremble:  it 
is  generally 
composed  o  f 
fear  and  ha- 
tred, or  disgust; 
the  recital  of  a 
bloody  deed 
fills  one  with 
horror;  there 
are  the  horrors 
of  war,  and  the 
horrors  of  famine,  horrible  places  and  horrible 
dreams;  the  ascension  seems  to  be  as  follows,  the 
fearfnl  and  dreadful,  (affecting  the  mind  more  than 
the  body.)  the  frightful,  the  tremendous,  terrible 
and  horrible:  the  fearful  wave;  the  dreadful  day; 
frightful  convulsions  ;  tremendous  storms;  terrific 
glare  of  the  eyes;  a  horrid  murder. 

Hark  1 — the  death-denouncing  trumpet — sounds 
The  fatal  charge,  and  shouts  proclaim  the  onset. 
Destruction — rushes  dreadful  to  the  field, 
And  bathes  itself  in  blood.    Havoc  let  loose, 
Now  undistinguished — rages  all  around ; 
While  ruin,  seated  on  her  dreary  throne, 
Sees  the  plain  strew'd  with  subjects,  truly  hers, 
Breathless  and  cold! 

489.  Plotting  Cruelty  and  Horror!  Mac- 
beth's  soliloquy  before  murdering  Duncan.  (Start- 
ing.) "Is  this  a  dagger,  which  I  see  before  me?" 
(Courage.)  '-The  handle  toward  my  hand?  Come, 
let  me  clutch  thee  :"  (Wonder.)  "I  have  thee  not; 
and  yet  I  see  thee  still."  (Horror.)  "Art  thou  not, 
fatal  vision,  sensible  to  feeling— as  to  sight?  or  art 
thou  but  a  dagger  of  the  mind?  a  false  creation, 
proceeding  from  the  7j«i!-oppress'd  brain?"  (Eyes 
staring,  and  fixed  to  one  point.)  "I  see  thee  yet, 
in  form  as  palpable  as  thai  which  now  I  draw." 

1  Here  draws  his  own,  and  compares  them.)  "  Thou 
marshaWst  me  the  way  that  I  was  going;  and 
such  an  instrument  I  was  to  use.  Mine  eyes  are 
made  the  fools  of  the  other  senses,  or  else  worth  all 
the  rest:  I  see  thee  still;  and  on  thy  blade  and  dud- 
geon, gouts  of  blood,  which  was  not  so  before.'''' 
(Doubting.)  "There's  no  such  thing."  (Horror.) 
"It  is  the  bloody  business,  which  informs  thus  to 
mine  eyes.  Now,  o'er  one-half  the  world,  nature 
seems  dead,  and  wicked  dreams  abuse  the  cur- 
tain'd  steep;  now  witclxcraft — celebrates  pale  He- 
cate's offerings ;  and  withered  murder,  alarmed  by 
his  sentinel,  the  wolf,  whose  howl's  his  watch,  thus 
with  his  stealthy  pace,  towards  his  design — moves 
like  a  ghost.  Thou  sound  and/ir?tt-sel  earth,  hear 
not  my  steps,  which  ivay  they  walk,  for  fear  the 
very  stones  prate  of  my  whereabout,  and  take  the 
present  horror  from  the  time,  which  now  suits 
with  it.  While  I  threat,  he  lives — I  go,  and  it  is 
done ;  the  bell  invites  me.  (A  bell  rings.)  Hear  it 
not,  Duncan;  for  it  is  a  knell,  that  summons  thee 
to  heaven,  or  to  hell. 

Music!  oh!  how  faint,  how  weak! 

Language — fades  before  thy  spell; 
Why  shou]d  feeling — ever  speak, 

When  thou  canst  breathe  her  soul— so  well. 
25  R 


Woman's  Love.  As  the  dove  will  clasp  its 
wings  to  its  side,  and  cover  and  conceal  the  arrow, 
that  is  preying  on  its  vitals,  v,<  is  the  nature  of  wo- 
man, to  hide  from  the  world  tiie  pangs  of  wounded 
affection. 

Anecdote.  Swearing  nobly  Reproved, 
Prince  Henry,  son  of  James  II.,  had  a  partic- 
ular aversion  to  the  vice  of  swearing,  and 
profanation  of  the  name  of  God.  When  at 
play,  he  was  never  known  to  use  bad  words; 
and  on  being  asked  the  reason,  why  he  did 
not  swear,  as  well  as  others,  answered,  that 
he  knew  no  game  worthy  of  an  oath.  The 
same  answer  he  gave  at  a  hunting  match, 
when  the  almost  spent  stag  was  killed  by  a 
butcher's  dog,  that  was  passing  along  the 
road ;  the  huntsmen  tried  to  irritate  the  prince 
against  the  butcher,  but  without  succeeding* 
His  highness  answered  coolly,  "  True,  the 
dog  killed  the  stag,  but  the  butcher  could  not 
help  it."  They  replied,  that  if  his  fat  her  had 
been  served  so,  he  would  have  sivorn  so,  as 
no  one  could  have  endured  it.  "Away,"  said 
the  prince,  "  all  the  pleasure  in  the  world  is 
not  worth  an  oath." 

"Varieties.  1.  A  selfish  person  is  never 
contented,  unless  he  have  every  thing  his  own 
way,  and  have  the  best  place,  and  be  Y>x\t  first 
in  every  tiling ;  of  course,  he  is  generally  un- 
happy. 2.  The  mind  of  man  is,  of  itself, 
opaque,-  the  Divine  mind  alone, is  luminous* 
He  is  the  light  of  both  worlds,  the  natural  and 
spiritual.  3.  Is  it  not  better  to  remain  in  a 
state  of  error,  than  to  understand  something 
of  a  truth,  and  then  reject  it,  because  we  do 
not  understand  it  fully?  4.  Guilt  was  never 
a  rational  thing ;  it  disturbs  and  perverts  the 
faculties  of  the  mind,  and  leaves  one  no  long- 
er the  use  of  his  reason.  5.  All  evils,  in  their 
very  nature,  are  co?itagious,\ike  the  j)lague ,- 
because  of  the  propensity  to  evil,  into  which 
every  one  is  born,-  therefore,  keep  out  of  the 
infected  sphere  as  much  as  possible.  6.  Is 
the  eye  tired  with  beautiful  objects,  or  the  ear 
with  melodious  sounds  ?  Love  duty,  then, 
and  performance  will  be  delightful.  7.  Seek 
only  good,-  thus,  pleasure  comes  unsought. 
When  twilight  dews  are  falling  fast, 

Upon  the  rosy  sea; 
I  watch  that  star  whose  beam  so  oft 

Has  lighted  me  to  thee ; 
And  thou,  too,  on  that  orb  so  dear, 

Ah !  dost  thou  gaze  at  ev'n, 
And  think,  tho'  lost  forever  here, 

Thou'lt  yet  be  mine  in  heav'n! 
There's  not  a  garden  walk  I  tread, 

There's  not  a  flower  I  see  ; 
But  brings  to  mind  some  hope  that's  fled, 

Some  joy  I've  lost  with  thee ; 
And  still  I  wish  that  hour  was  near, 

When,  friends  and  foes  forgiven. 
The  pains,  the  ills  we've  wept  thro'  here, 

May  turn  to  smiles  in  heaven! 
He  help'd  to  bury,  whom  he  help'd  to  starvs. 


194 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


WEEPING. 


490.  Weep- 
in  g  —  is  the  ex- 
pression, or  mani- 
festation, of  sor- 
row, grief,  an- 
guish or  joy,  by 
out-cry,  or  by 
shedding  tears; 
a  lamentation,  be. 
wailing,  bemoan- 
ing: we  may  weep 
each  other's  woe, 
or  weep  tears  of 
joy ;  so  may  the 
rich  groves  weep 
odorous  gum  and 
balm  ;  there  is 
weeping  amber, 
and  weeping  grounds  :  crying — is  an  audible  ex- 
pression, accompanied,  or  not,  with  tears;  but 
weeping  always  indicates  the  shedding  of  tears; 
and,  when  called  forth  by  the  sorrows  of  others, 
especially,  it  is  an  infirmity  of  which  no  man 
would  be  destitute. 

491.  Whither  shall  I  return?  Wretch 
that  I  am !  to  what  place  shall  I  betake  my- 
self! Shall  I  go  to  the  capital1.  Alas!  it  is 
overflow'd  with  my  brothci^s  blood!  or,  shall 
I  return  to  my  house  ?  yet  there,  I  behold  my 
mother — plunged  in  misery,  weeping  and  de- 
spairing.   2.  I  am  robbed  !  I  am  ruined  ! 

0  my  money!  my  guineas!  my  support! 
my  all  is  gone  !  Oh  !  ivho  has  robbed  me  1 
who  lias  got  my  money?  where  is  the  thief? 
A  thousand  guineas  of  gold  !  hoo,  hoo,  hoo, 
hoo  !  3.  I  cannot  speak — and  I  could  wish 
you  would  not  oblige  me, — it  is  the  only  ser- 
vice I  ever  refused  you :  and  tho'  I  cannot 
give  a  reason  why  I  could  not  speak,  yet  I 
hope  you  will  excuse  me  without  reason. 
Had  it  pleased  heaven 

To  try  me  with  affliction  ;  had  it  rained 
All  kinds  of  sores  and  shames  on  my  bare  head ; 
Steeped  me  in  poverty  to  the  very  lips  ; 
Given  to  captivity,  me  and  my  utmost  hopes; 

1  should  have  found  in  some  patt  of  my  soul 
A  drop  of  patience;  but,  alas  !  to  make  me 
A  fixed  figure,  for  the  hand  of  scorn 

To  point  his  slow  unmoving  finger  at — 

Oh— 

I  am  not  prone  to  weeping,  as  our  sex 

Commonly  are  ;  the  want  of  which  vain  dew, 

Perchance  shall  dry  your  pities  ;  but  I  have 

That  honorable  grief  lodged  here,  which  burns 

Worse  than  tears  drown. 

Why  tell  you  me  of  moderation  ! 

The  grief  is  fine,  full,  perfect,  that  I  taste, 

And  violenteth  in  a  sense  as  strong  [it? 

As  that  which  causeth  it .  How  can  I  moderate 

If  I  could  temporize  with  my  affection, 

Or  brew  it  to  a  weak  and  colder  palate, 

The  like  allayment  could  I  give  my  grief; 

My  love  admits  no  qualifying  dross  : 

No  more  my  grief,  in  such  a  precious  loss. 

When  our  souls  shall  leave  this  dwelling, 

The  glory  of  one  fair  and  virtuous  action 

Is  above  all  the  scutcheons  on  our  tomb, 

Or  silkon  banners  over  us. 


Historians.  We  find  but/cw  historians  of 
all  ages,  who  have  been  dilgent  enough  in  their 
search  for  truth  ;  it  is  their  common  method,  to 
take  on  trust,  what  they  distribute  to  the  public; 
by  which  means,  a  falsehood,  once  received  from 
a  famed  writer,  becomes  traditional  to  posterity. 
Anecdote.  Washington  and  his  Mother. 
Young  George  was  about  to  go  to  sea,  as  a 
midshipman  ;  every  thing  was  arranged,  the 
vessel  lay  out  opposite  his  father's  house,  the 
little  boat  had  come  on  shore  to  take  him  off, 
and  his  whole  heart  was  bent  on  going.  Af- 
ter his  trunk  had  been  carried  down  to  the 
boat,  he  went  to  bid  his  mother  farewell,  and 
he  saw  the  tear  bursting  from  her  eye.  How- 
ever, she  said  nothing  to  him ;  but  lie  saw  that 
his  mother  would  be  distressed  if  he  went, 
and  perhaps  never  be  happy  again.  He  just 
turned  round  to  the  servant  and  said,  "  Go 
and  tell  them  to  fetch  my  trunk  back  ;  I  will 
not  go  away,  to  break  my  mother's  heart." 
His  mother  was  struck  with  his  decision,  and 
she  said  to  him, "George,  God  has  promised 
to  bless  the  children,  that  honor  their  parents, 
and  I  believe  he  will  bless  you. 

Varieties.  1.  Timotheus  —  an  ancient 
teacher  of  oratory,  always  demanded  a  double 
fee  from  those  pupils,  who  had  been  taught 
by  others ;  for,  in  this  case,  he  had  not  only 
to  plant,  but  to  root  out.  2.  He,  that  short- 
ens the  road  to  knowledge,  lengthens  life.  3, 
Never  buy,  or  read  bad  books ;  for  they  aw 
the  worst  of  thieves  ;  because  they  rob  you 
of  your  money,  your  time,  and  your  princi- 
ples. 4.  Theocracy — is  a  government  by  God 
himself ;  as,  the  government  of  the  Jews; 
democracy — is  a  government  of  the  people. 
5.  Without  the  intenseness  and  passion  of 
study,  trothing  great  ever  was,  or  ever  will 
be  accomplished.  6.  Who  can  tell  where 
each  of  the  natural  families  begins,  or  where 
it  ends?  7.  To  overcome  a  bad  habit,  one 
must  be  conscious  of  it ;  as  well  as  know  how 
to  accomplish  the  object.  8.  The  best  defen- 
ders of  liberty  do  not  generally  vociferate 
loudly  in  its  praise.  9.  Domestic  feuds  can 
be  appeased  only  by  mutual  kindness  and 
forbearance.  10.  Volumes  of  arguments 
avail  nothing  against  resolute  determination; 
for  convince  a  man  against  his  will,  and  he  is 
of  the  same  opinion  still. 

When  William  wrote  his  lady,  to  declare, 
That  he  was  wedded  to  a  fairer  fair, 
Poor  Lucy  shrieked,  "  to  life,  to  all  adieu  j" 
She  tore  the  letter, — and  her  raven  hair, 
She  beat  her  bosom,  and  the  post-boy  too; 
Then  wildly — to  the  window  flew, 
And  threw  herself — into  a  chair. 
All  is  silent — 'twas  my  fancy  ! 
Still  as  the  breathless  interval  between 
The  flash  and  thunder. 

Who  never  fasts,  no  banquet  e'er  enjoys. 
Who  never  toils  or  watches,  hever  sleeps. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION 
SIMPLE  BODILY  PAIN. 


402.  Pain 
may  bo  either  bo- 
dily, or  mental ; 
simple,  or  acute. 
Bodil  y  pain,  is 
an  uneasy  sensa- 
tion in  the  body, 
of  any  degree 
from  that  which 
is  slight,  to  ex- 
treme torture  ;  it 
may  p  r  o  c  e  c 
from  pressure, 
tension,  separa- 
tion of  parts  by 
violence,  or  de- 
rangement of  the 
functions:  men- 
tal pain — is  un- 
easiness of  mind;  disquietude;  anxiety;  solici- 
tude for- the  future;  grief  or  sorrow  for  the  past: 
thus  we  suffer  pain,  when  we  fear,  or  expect  evil; 
and  we  feel  pain  at  the  loss  of  friends,  or  proper- 
ty. Pain,  and  the  like  affections,  indicate  a  pres- 
sure or  straining. 

The  play  of  pain 
Shoots  o'er  his  features,  as  the  sudden  gust 
Crisps  the  reluctant  lake,  that  lay  so  calm 
Beneath  the  mountain  shadow;  or  the   blast 
Ruffles  the  autumn  leaves,  that,  drooping,  cling 
Faintly,  and  motionless  to  their  lov'd  boughs. 

What  avails        [pain, 
Valor  or  strength,  though  matchless,  quelled  with 
Which  all  subdues,  and  makes  remiss  the  hands 
Of  mightiest?    Sense  of  pleasure  we  may  ivell 
Spare  out  of  life,  perhaps,  and  not  repine; 
But  live  content,  which  is  the  calmest  life ; 
But  pain  is  perfect  misery,  the  worst 
Of  evils!  and,  excessive,  overturns 
All  patience. 

And  not  a  virtue  in  the  bosom  lives 
That  gives  such  ready  pay  as  patience  gives  ; 
That  pure  submission  to  the  ruling  mind, 
Fixed,  but  not  forced;  obedient,  but  not  blind; 
The  will  of  heaven  to  make  her  own  she  tries, 
Or  makes  her  own  to  heaven  a  sacrifice. 
The  dream  of  the  injured  patient  mind, 

That  smiles  at  the  wrongs  of  men, 
Is  found  in  the  bruised  and  wounded  rind 
Of  the  cinnamon,  sweetest  then! 
Anecdote.    The  Philosopher  Outdone.   A 
learned  philosopher,  being  in  his  study,  a  lit- 
tle girl  came  for  some  fire.    Says  the  doctor, 
"  But  you  have  nothing  to  take  it  in ;"  and  as 
he  was  going  to  fetch  something,  the  girl, 
taking  some  cold  ashes  in  one  hand,  put  the 
live  coals  on  with  the  other.    The  astonished 
sage  threw  down  his  books,  saying,  "With 
all  my  learning,  I  should  never  have  found 
out  that  expedient." 
Soon  shall  thy  arm,  unconquered  steam  '  afar 
Drag  the  slow  barge,  or  drive  the  rapid  car  ; 
Or,  on  wide-waving  tvings  expanded,  bear 
The  flying  chariot— through  the  fields  of  air. 
The  brave—  do  never  shun  the  light; 
Just  are  their  thoughts,  and  open  are  their  tempers; 
Truly,  without  disquiet,  they  love,  or  hate; 
Still  are  they  found — in  the  fair  face  of  day  ; 
And  heaven — and  men — are  judges  of  their  actions. 


195 

Proverbs.  1.  The  true  economy  of  every- 
thing is— to  gather  up  the  fragments  of  time,  as 
well  as  of  materials.  2.  The  earlier  children  are 
taught  to  be  useful,  the  belter ;  not  only  for  them- 
selves, but  for  all  others.  3.  Consider  that  day  aa 
lost,  in  which  something  has  not  been  done  for  the 
benefit  of  others,  as  well  as  for  yourself.  4.  False 
pride,  or  foolish  ambition,  should  never  induce  us 
to  live  beyond  our  income.  5.  To  associate  with 
influential  and  genteel  people,  with  an  appearance 
of  equality,  has  its  advantages  ;  especially,  where 
there  are  sons  or  daughters  just  entering  on  the 
stage  of  action;  but,  like  all  other  external  advan- 
tages,  they  have  their  proper  price,  and  may 
be  bought  too  dearly;  "never  pay  too  much  for 
the  whistle.'''1  C.  Never  let  the  cheapness  of  an  ar- 
ticle tempt  you  to  purchase  it,  if  you  do  not  really 
need  it;  for  nothing  is  c/ieap,  that  we  do  not  want. 
7.  Vanity  and  pride  must  yield  to  the  dictates  of 
honesty  and  prudence. 

Miscellaneous.  Great  Britain — has  dot- 
ted over  the  surface  of  the  globe,  with  her 
possessions  and  military  posts ;  and  her  morn- 
ing drum-beat,  following  the  sun,  and  keep- 
ing company  with  the  hours,  circle  the  earth 
daily,  with  one  unbroken  strain  of  the  mar- 
tial airs  of England.  The  steam-engine  is  on 
the  rivers,  and  the  boatman  may  rest  upon 
his  oars ;  it  is  in  the  highways,  and  begins 
to  exert  itself  along  the  courses  of  land-con- 
veyances; it  is  at  the  bottom  of  mines,  a 
thousand  feet  below  the  surface  of  the  earth ; 
it  is  in  the  mill  and  in  the  workshop  of  the 
traders;  it  rows,  it  pumps,  it  excavates,  it 
ploughs,  it  carries,  it  draws,  it  lifts,  it  ham- 
mers,\t  spins,  it  weaves,  it  prints ;  and  seems 
to  say  to  artisans,  Leave  your  manual  labor, 
give  over  your  bodily  toil,  use  your  skill  and 
reason  to  direct  my  power,  and  I  will  bear 
toil,  witli  no  muscle  to  grow  weary, no  nerve 
to  relax,  no  breast  to  feelfaintness. 

VARIETIES. 

Cease,  mourners ;  cease  complaint  and  weep  no 

Your  friends  are  not  dead,  but  gone  before;    [more  ; 

Advanced  a  stage  or  two — upon  the  road, 

Which  you  must  travel  in  the  steps  they  trade. 

True  valor,  friends,  on  virtue  founded  strong, 

Meets  all  events  alike. 

Preach  patience  to  the  sea,  when  jarring  winds, 

Throw  up  the  swelling  billow  to  the  sky; 

And  if  your  reason  mitigate  her  fury, 

My  soul  will  be  as  calm. 

Contention,  like  a  horse, 

Full  o{  high  feeding,  madly  hath  broken  loose, 

And  bears  down  all  before  him. 

The  day  shall  come,  that  great  avenging  da}', 

When  Troy's  proud  glories  in  the  dust  shall  lay 

Send  thy  arrows  forth, 

Strike  !  strike  the  tyrants,  and  avenge  my  tears. 

Slander,  that  worst  of  poisons,  ever  finds 

An  easy  entrance  to  ignoble  minds. 

Other  sins — only  speak, — murder — shrieks  out. 

The  element  of  water — moistens  the  earth; 

But  blood — flies  upward,  and  beuews  the  heavens 


196 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


ACUTE  PAIN, 
493.  Bodily,  or 
mental,  signifies  a 
high  degree  of  pain, 
■which  may  appro- 
priately  be    called 

AGONY,  Or  ANGUISH ; 

the  agony  is  a  se- 
vere and  perma- 
nent pain ;  the  an- 
guish an  over- 
whelming pain:  a 
pang — is  a  sharp 
pain,  and  generally 
of  short  contin- 
uance :  the  pangs 
of  conscience  fre- 
quently trouble  the 
person  who  is  not 
hardened  in  guilt; 
and  the  pangs  o  disappointed  love  are  among 
the  severest  to  be  borne :  "  What  pangs  the  ten- 
der breast  of  Dido  tear  !"  Complaining — (  as 
when  one  is  under  violent  pain,)  distorts  the  fea- 
tures, almost  closes  the  eyes ;  sometimes  raises 
them  wistfully ;  opens  the  mouth,  gnashes  the 
teeth,  draws  up  the  upper  lip,  draws  down  the 
head  upon  the  breast,  and  contracts  the  whole 
body  :  the  arms  are  violently  bent  at  the  elbows, 
and  the  fists  clenched,  the  voice  is  uttered  in 
groans,  lamentations,  and  sometimes  in  violent 
screams  :  extreme  torture  producing  fainting  and 
death. 

Oh,  rid  me  of  this  torture,  quickly  there, 
My  madam,  with  thy  everlasting  voice. 
The  bells,  in  time  of  pestilence,  ne'er  made 
Like  noise,  or  were  in  that  perpetual  motion. 
All  my  house,  [breath  : 

But  now,  streamed  like  a  bath,  with  her  thick 
A  lawyer  could  not  have  been  heard,  nor  scarce, 
Another  woman,  such  hail  of  words  she  let  fall. 
2.  What!  the  rogue  who  robVd  me?  do 
hang  him,  drown  him,  burn  him,  flay  him 
alive.  3.  Hold  your  tongue,  we  don*t  want 
to  hear  your  nonsense  about  eating;  hold 
your  tongue,  and  answer  the  questions,  which 
the  Justice  is  going  put  to  you,  about  the  mo- 
ney I  lost,  and  which  I  suppose  you  have 
taken. 

Hide  not  thy  tears :  weep  boldly — and  be  proud 
To  give  the  flowing  virtue  manly  way. 
Tis  nature's  mark,  to  know  an  honest  heart  by. 
Shame  on  those  breasts  of  stone,  that  cannot  melt, 
In  soft  adoption  of  another's  sorrow ! 
O,  who  can  hold  a  fire  in  his  hand, 
By  thinking  on  the  frosty  Caucasus? 
Or  cloy  the  hungry  edge  of  appetite, 
By  a  bare  imagination  of  a  feast? 
Or  wallow  naked  in  December  snow, 
By  thinking  on  fantastic  summer's  heat 
O,  no  !  the  apprehension  of  the  good, 
Gives  but  the  greater  feeling  to  the  worse  : 
Fell  sorrow's  tooth  doth  never  rankle  more, 
Than  when  it  bites,  but  lanceth  not  the  sore. 
Anecdote.    A  rich  Companion  lady,  fond 
of  pomp  and  show,  being  on  a  visit  to  Corne- 
lia, the  illustrious  mother  of  the  Gracchii, 
displayed  her  jewels  and  diamonds  ostenta- 
tiously, and  requested  that  Cornelia  should 
show  her  jewels.    Cornelia  turned  the  convcr- 
aation  to  another  subject,  till  her  sons  should 


return  from  the  public  schools ,-  and  when 
they  had  entered  their  mother's  apartment, 
she,  pointing  to  them,  said  to  the  lady, 
"  These  are  my  jewels ;  the  only  ornaments 
I  admire." 

Laconics.  1.  If  we  complained  less,  and 
tried  to  encourage  and  help  each  other  more,  we 
should  find  all  our  duties  more  easily  performed. 
2.  Happiness — consists  in  the  delight  of  perform 
ing  uses  for  the  sake  of  uses :  that  is,  doing  good 
for  the  sake  of  good,  instead  of  the  love  of  reward, 
which  is  a  selfish,  feeling  :  all  selfish  feelings  pro 
duce  unhappiness  in  the  degree  they  are  enter- 
tained. 3.  If  we  would  be  happy,  we  must  put 
away,  as  far  as  we  can,  those  thoughts  and  feel- 
ings, that  have  reference  to  self  alone,  and  culti- 
vate the  higher  ones,  that  have  reference  to  the 
good  of  others,  as  well  as  ourselves.  4.  To  do 
good,  for  the  sake  of  delight  in  doing  good,  is  a 
selfish  motive ;  but  to  do  good  to  others,  for  the 
sake  of  making  them  happy,  and,  in  doing  it,  for- 
get ourselves,  is  a  heavenly  motive.  5.  If  we 
would  act  from  right  motives,  we  must  endeavor 
to  put  away  every  feeling,  that  is  purely  selfish;  in 
doing  which,  every  effort  will  give  us  strength, 
like  the  repeated  efforts  of  a  child,  in  learning  to 
walk.  6.  Parents  should  keep  their  children  from 
every  association  that  may  tend  to  their  injury, 
either  in  precept  or  practice.  7.  Love  is  omnipo- 
tent. 

"Varieties.  1.  That  profusion  of  Ian' 
guage,  and  poverty  of  thought,  which  is  call- 
ed being  spontaneous,  and  original,  is  no 
proof  of  simplicity  of  heart,  or  freedom  of 
understanding ;  there  is  more  paper  than 
gold,  more  tvords  than  ideas,  in  this  "  care- 
less wealth."  2.  Combined  with  goodness 
and  truth,  oratory  is  one  of  the  most  glo- 
rious distinctions  of  man ;  it  is  a  power,  that 
influences  all :  it  elevates  the  affections  and 
thoughts  to  enthusiasm;  and  animates  us 
in  joy,  and  soothes  us  in  sorrow;  instructs, 
guides,  and  persuades  us.  3.  To  resolve  a 
proposition  into  its  simplest  elements,  we 
must  reason  a  posteriori ;  by  observing  the 
relation  of  sequences,  we  are  enabled  to  sup- 
ply antecedents,  involving  the  same  relation; 
thus,  amounting  to  the  simplest  state  of  a 
proposition. 

What  nothing  earthly  gives,  or,  can  destroy, 
The  soul's  calm  sunshine,  and  the  hearfeltjoy, 
Is  virtue's  prize. 
The  friends  thou  hast,  and  their  adoption  tried, 
Grapple  them  to  thy  soul,  with  hooks  of  steel. 
Mind, — can  raise, 
From  its  unseen  conceptions,  where  they  lie, 
Bright  m  their  mine,  forms,  hues,  that  look  Eternity- 
Is  it  the  language  of  some  other  state, 
Born  of  its  memory?  For  ivhal — can  wake 
The  soul's  strong  instinct — of  another  world, 
Like  music? 
Without  good  company,  all  dainties 
Lose  their  true  relish,  and  like  painted  grapes, 
Are  only  seen,  not  tasted. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


197 


ADMIRATION 
494.  A  mix- 
ed passion,  con- 
sisting of  won- 
der, mingled 
with  pleasing 
emotions;  as 
veneration,love,i 
esteem,  takes1 
away  the  famil- 
iar gesture  and 
e  x  pre  s  sion  of 
simple  love  :  it 
is  a  compound 
passion,  excited 
by  some  thing 
novel,  rare, 
great,  or  excel- 
fent,  either  of 
persons  or  their 
works :  thus  we 
view  the  solar  system  with  admiration.  It 
keeps  the  respectful  look  and  attitude  ;  the  eyes 
are  wide  open,  and  now  and  then  raised  to- 
wards heaven  ;  the  mouth  is  open  ;  the  hands 
lifted  up;  the  tone  of  voice  rapturous;  speaks 
copiously  and  in  hyperboles.  Admiration  — 
is  looking  at  any  thing  attentively  witli  appre- 
ciation ;  the  admirer  suspends  his  thoughts,  not 
from  the  vacancy,  but  from  the  fullness  of  his 
mind  :  he  is  riveted  to  an  object,  which  tem- 
porarily absorbs  his  faculties  :  nothing  but  what 
is  good  and  great,  excites  admiration  ;  and  none 
but  cultivated  minds  are  very  susceptible  of  it ; 
an  ignorant  person  cannot  admire  :  because  he 
does  not  appreciate  the  value  of  the  tiling  :  the 
form  and  use  must  be  seen  at  any  rate. 

How  beautiful  the  world  is !  The  green 
earth,  covered  with  flowers — the  trees,  laden 
with  rich  blossoms  —  the  blue  sky  and  the 
bright  icafer,  and  the  golden  sunshine. 
The  world  is,  indeed,  beautiful;  and  He,  who 
made  it,  must  be  beautiful. 

It  is  a  happy  world.  Hark !  how  the  mer- 
ry birds  sing — and  the  young  lambs — see  ! 
how  they  gambol  on  the  hill-side.  Even  the 
trees  wave,  and  the  brooks  ripple,  in  glad- 
ness. Yon  eagle.1 — ah!  how  joyously  he 
soars  up  to  the  glorious  heavens — the  bird  of 
America. 

"  His  throne — is  on  the  mountain-top  ; 

His  fields — the  boundless  air  ; 
And  hoary  peaks,  that  proudly  prop 

The  skies — his  dwellings  are. 
He  rises,  like  a  thing  of  light, 

Amid  the  noontide  blaze  : 
The  midway  sun — is  clear  and  bright ; 
It  cannot  dim  his  gaze." 
It  is  happy — I  see  it,  and  hear  it  all  about 
me — nay,  I  feel  it  here,  in  the  glow,  the  elo- 
quent  glow  of  my  own  heart.    He   who 
made  it,  must  be  happy. 

It  is  a  great  world!  Look  off  to  the  mighty 
ocean,  when  the  storm  is  upon  it ;  to  the 
huge  mountain,  when  the  thunder  and  the 
lightnings  play  over  it ;  to  the  vast  forest, 
the  interminable  waste;  the  sun,  the  moon, 
and  the  myriads  of  fair  stars,  countless  as  the 
sands  upon  the  sea-shore.  It  is  a  great,  a 
magnificent  world, — and  He,  who  made  it, 
oh !  He  is  the  perfection  of  all  loveliness,  all 
goodness,  all  greatness,  all  glory. 


How  this  grace 
Speaks  his  own  standing !  what  a  mental  power 
This  eye  shoots  forth  !  how  big  imagination 
Moves  in  this  lip!  to  the  dumbness  of  the  gesture 
One  might  interpret. 
Old  men  and  beldames,  in  the  streets, 
Do  prophecy  upon  it  dangerously  j 
Young  Arthur's  death  is  common  in  their  mouths; 
And  when  they  talk  ofhim  they  shake  their  he'ds, 
And  whisper  one  another  in  the  ear  ; 
And  he  that  speaks  doth  gripe  the  hearer's  wrist; 
Whilst  he  tiiat  hears,  makes  fearful  action, 
With  wrinkl'dbro ws. with  nods. with  rolling  eyes 
I  saw  a  smith  stand  with  his  hammer  thus, 
The  whilst  his  iron  did  on  the  anvil  cool, 
With  open  mouth,  swallowing  a  tailor's  news  ; 
Who,  with  his  shears  and  measure  in  his  hand, 
Standing  on  slippers,  (which  bis  nimble  haste 
Had  safely  thrust  upon  contrary  feet,) 
Told  of  a  many  thousand  warlike  French, 
That  were  embattled  and  rank'd  in  Kent : 
Another  lean  unwash'd  artificer 
Cuts  off  his  tale,  and  talks  of  Arthur's  death. 

Anecdote.  It  was  so  natural  for  Dr. 
Watts  to  speak  in  rhyme,  that  even  at  the 
very  time  he  wished  to  avoid  it,  he  could  not 
His  father  was  displeased  at  this  propensity, 
and  threatened  to  whip  him,  if  he  did  not 
leave  off  making  verses.  One  day,  when  he 
was  about  to  put  his  threat  in  execution,  the 
child  burst  into  tears,  and  on  his  knees,  said: 
Pray  father,  do,  some  pity  take, 
And  I  will  no  more  verses  make. 

Varieties.  1.  What  is  a  better  security 
against  calumny,  and  reproach,  than  a  good 
conscience  ?  2.  What  we  commence — from 
the  impulse  of  virtue,  we  too  often  continue 
from  the  spur  of  ambition;  avarice,  herself, 
is  the  offspring  of  independence  and  virtue, 

3.  Wealth,  suddenly  acquired,  will  rarely 
abide,-  nothing  but  quiet, consistent  industry, 
can  render  any  people  prosperous  and  happy, 

4.  Did  you  ever  think  seriously  of  the  design, 
and  uses  of  the  thumb?  5.  Music,  in  ]>rac- 
tice,  may  be  called  the  gymnastics  of  the  af- 
fections.   6.  The  difference  between  honor, 

and  honesty — seems  to  be  principally  in  the 
motive;  as  the  honest  man  does  that  from 
lore  and  duty,  which  the  man  of  honor  does, 
for  the  sake  of  character.  7.  If  there  be  any 
tiling,  which  makes  one  ridiculous,  to  beings 
of  superior  faculties,  it  must  be  jwide.  8. 
As  is  the  mother,  so  is  the  daughter ;  think 
of  this  0  ye  mothers,  and  improve. 

The  rich  are  wise  : 
He  that  upon  bis  back  rich  garments  wears, 
Is  wise,  though  on  his  head  grow  Midas'  ears : 
Gold  is  the  strength,  the  sinews  of  the  world  ; 
The  health,  the  soul,  the  beauty  most  divine  ; 
A  mask  of  gold  hides  all  deformities  ; 
Gold  is  heav'n's  physic,  life's  restorative. 

O  credulity, 
Thou  hast  as  many  ears,  as  fame— has  tongues, 
Opened— to  every  sound  of  truth,  as  falsehood. 


198 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


ADMIRATION   AND    ASTONISHMENT, 
495.    Implies 
confusion,  arising 
from  surprise,  &c. 
at  an  extraordina- 
ry, or  unexpected 
event:    astonish- 
ment signifies  to 
strike    with    the 
overpowering 
voice  of  thunder; 
we   are  surprised 
if  that   does,   or 
does  not  happen, 
which  we  did,  or 
did    not    expect  ; 
astonishment  may 
be    awakened   by 
similar  events, j 
which    are    more 
unexpected,   and 
more  unaccountable  :  thus,  we  are  astonished 
to  find  a  friend  at  our  house,  when  we  suppos- 
ed he  was  hundreds  of  miles  distant;  or  to  hear 
that  a  person  has  traveled  a  road,  or  crossed  a 
stream,  that  we  thought  impassable. 
These  are  thy  glorious  works,  Parent  of  good, 
■Almighty!  thine  this  universal  frame,         [then! 
Thus   wondrous  fair  !     Thyself,  how  wondrous, 
Unspeakable!  who  sitt'st  above  these  heavens, 
To  us — invisible,  or  dimly  seen 
In  these  thy  lowest  works  :  yet  these  declare 
Thy  goodness,  beyond  thought,a.nd  power  divine. 
See,  what  a  grace  was  seated  on  this  brow ! 
Hyperion  curls  ;  the  front  of  Jove  himself: 
An  eye  like  Mars,  to  threaten  and  command; 
A  station,  like  the  herald  Mercury, 
New-lighted  on  a  heaven-kissing  hill. 
A  combination,  and  a  form  indeed, 
Where  every  god  did  seem  to  set  his  seal, 
To  give  the  world  assurance  of  a  man. 
What^HfZIhere  ? 

Fair  Portia's  counterfeit?  What  demi-god 
Hath  come  so  near  creation  ?    Move  their  eyes  1 
Or,  whether  riding  on  the  ball  of  mine, 
Seem  they  are  in  motion  1    Here  are  sever'd  lips, 
Parted  with  sugar  breath  :  so  sweet  a  bar  [hairs, 
Should  sunder  such  sweet  friends:  Here,  in  her 
The  painter  plays  the  spider,  and  hath  woven 
A  golden  mesh  to  entrap  the  hearts  of  men, 
Faster  than  gnats  in  cobwebs. — But  her  eyes  I 
now  could  he  see  to  do  them  !  having  made  one, 
Metbinks  it  should  have  power  to  steal  both  his, 
And  leave  itself  unfinished. 

Anecdote.  While  Thucidydes  was  yet  a 
boy,  he  heard  Herodotus  recite  his  histories, 
at  the  Olympic  games,  and  is  said  to  have 
wept  exceedingly.    The  "  Father  of  Histori- 
ans," observing  how  much  the  boy  was  mov- 
ed, congratulated  Ms  father,  on  having  a  child 
of  such  promise,  and  advised  him  to  spare  no 
■pains'  in  his  education.    Thucidydes  became 
one  of  the  best,  historians  of  Greece. 
Wise  legislators  never  yet  could  draw 
A  fox  within  the  reach  of  common  law  ; 
For  posture,  dress,  grimace,  and  affectation, 
Though  foes  to  sense,  are  harmless  to  the  nation ; 
Our  last  redress  is  dint  of  verse  to  try, 
And  satire  is  our  Court  of  Chancery. 


Maxims.  1.  Never  consider  the  opinions  e« 
others  in  a  matter  that  does  not  concern  them. 
2.  It  is  of  but  little  use  to  argue  a  point  with  one, 
whose  mind  is  made  up  on  the  subject.  3.  Beware 
of  objections,  founded  on  wrong  ideas.  4.  A  wo- 
man's conclusions  are  generally  proof  against 
the  most  eloquent  reasonings.  5.  Look  within, 
instead  of  without,  for  the  true  criterion  of  ac- 
tion, and  be  manly  and  independent.  0.  Let  the 
square  and  rule  of  life  be — Is  it  right  ?  7.  Be 
cautious  in  yielding  your  better  judgment  to  tho 
wishes  of  others.  8.  We  generally  err,  in  under- 
taking— what  we  do  not  understand .  9.  They 
will  surely  be  wise,  who  profit  by  experience.  10. 
A  clear  head — makes  sure  work. 

Temperance.  Happy  are  they  that  have 
made  their  escape  from  the  drinking  custom  of 
the  world,  and  enrolled  their  names  amongst  the 
friends  of  Temperance  ;  for,  by  so  doing,  they 
have  most  probably  escaped  from  an  early  death. 
Death,  not  only  of  the  body,  but  of  the  soul,  for 
the  habit  of  intoxication  is  calculated  to  destroy 
both. 

"Varieties.  1.  When  once  you  profess 
yourself  a  friend,  be  always  such.  2.  Blame 
not, before  you  have  examined:  understand, 
then  rebuke.  3.  Some  people  will  never 
learn  anytliing ;  for  this  reason,  they  under- 
stand everything  too  soon.  4.  Who  can  cal- 
culate the  importance  of  learning  to  say,  No. 
5.  By  following  the  order  of  Providence,  and 
obeying  the  laws  of  life  and  being,  we  shall 
not  become  fatigued.  6.  Abstraction,  is  the 
power,  which  the  understanding  has,  of 
separating  the  combinations,  which  are  pre- 
sented to  it ;  it  is  also  called  the  power  of  con- 
sidering qualities,  or  attributes  of  one  object, 
apart  from  the  rest.  7.  There  is  a  Provi- 
dence in  the  least  of  man's  thoughts  and  ac- 
tions ;  yea,  in  all  Ms  common  and  trifling 
concerns. 

Words  are  like  leaves ;  and  where  they  most  a- 
Mueli  fruit  of  «erese  beneath, is  rarely  found. [bourn? 
False  eloquence— like  the  prismatic  glass, 
Its  gaudy  colors  spreads  on  every  place  : 
The  face  of  Nature — we  no  more  survey, 
Ml  glares  alike,  without  distinction  gay : 
But  true  expression,  whate'er  it  shines  upon, 
It  gilds  all  objects,  but  it  alters — none. 
Expression  is  the  dress  of  thought,  and  still 
Appears  more  decent — as  more  suitable. 

A  just  man  cannot  fear ; 

Not,  though  the  malice  of  traducing  tongues 

The  open  vastness  of  a  tyrant's  ear, 

The  senseless  rigor  of  the  wrested  laws, 

Or  the  red  eyes  of  strain'd  authority, 

Should,  in  a  point,  meet  all  to  take  his  life : 

His  innocence  is  armor  'gainst  all  these. 

Music  so  softens  and  disarms  the  mind, 
That  not  an  arrow  does  resistance  find ; 
Thus  the  fair  tyrant  celebrates  the  prize, 
And  acts  herself  the  triumph  of  her  eyes; 
So  Nero  once,  with  harp  in  hand,  survey'd 
His  flaming  Rome,  and  as  it  burn'd,  he  play'd. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


199 


496.  The  Minor,  and  some  of  the  Ma- 
jor Passions.  The  following  common  ex- 
pressions are  full  of  meaning:  such  judg- 
ments are  passed  every  day,  concerning  dif- 
ferent individuals ;  "  You  might  have  seen  it 
in  his  eyes:  the  looks  of  the  man  is  enough; 
he  has  an  honest  countenance:  his  manner 
sets  every  one  at  his  ease ;  I  will  trust  him 
for  his  honest  face ;  should  he  deceive  me,  I 
will  never  trust  any  body  again ;  he  cannot 
look  a  person  in  the  face  ;  his  appearance  is 
against  him;  he  is  better  (or  worse,)  than  I 
took  him  to  be." 

■497.  Admoni- 
tion—  assumes  a 
grave  air  bordering 
on  severity  ;  the 
head  is  sometimes 
shaken  at  the  per- 
son we  admonish, 
as  if  we  felt  for  the 
miseries  he  was 
likely  to  bring  up- 
on h  i  m  s  e  1  f ;  the 
hand  is  directed  to 
the  person  spoken 
to,  and  ihe  fore-fin- 
ger, projected  from 
the  rest,  seems  to 
point  more  particu- 
larly lo  the  danger 
we  give  warning 
of;  the  voice  assumes  a  low  pitch,  bordering  on  a 
monotone,  with  a  mixture  of  severity'  and  sympa- 
thy of  pity,  and  reproach. 

Miscellaneous.    1.  The  habituating  chil- 
dren to  work  for,  and  serve  the  poor,  particu- 
larly poor  children,  with  a  good  will,  may 
justly  be  regarded,  as  tending  to  promote  the 
reception  of  the  highest  order  and  quality  of 
heavenly  virtue.    2.  It  is  not  in  knowing  the 
will  of  God,  but  in  doing  it,  that  we  shall  be 
blessed.    3.  The  noblest  aspect  in  which  the 
divine  majesty  of  the  Lord  can  be  viewed, 
is  that,  in  which  he  jwesented  himself,  when 
he  said,  that  he  "came,  not  to  be  ministered 
unto,  but  to  minister ,-"  and  how  great  a  priv- 
ilege ought  we  to  esteem  it  to  be,  to  follow 
his  example.    4.  What  a  jnfy  it  is,  that  pa- 
rents and  teachers  are  not  more  anxious  to 
mend  the  heart,  than  furnish  the  heads  of 
their    children   and   pupils!    5.  Charity  is 
something  more  than  a  word,  or  wish;  it  is 
the  consistent  practice  of  true  wisdom. 
Tis  one  thing  to  be  tempted,  Escalus, 
Another  thing — Xofall.    I  not  deny — 
The  jury,  passing  on  the  prisoner's  life, 
May.  on  ihe  sworn  twelve,  have  a  thief  or  two, 
Guiltier  than  him  they  try  ;  what's  open  made 
To  justice,  that  it  seizes  on.    What  know    [nant, 
The  laws,  that  thieves  do  pass  on  thieves?  'tis  preg- 
The  jewel  that  we  find,  we  stoop  and  tak;t 
Because  we  see  it;  but  what  we  do  not  see, 
We  tread  upon,  and  never  think  of  it. 
You  may  not  so  extenuate  Ms  offence, 
For  /have  had  such  faults  ;  but  rather  tell  me 
When  /,  thai  censure  him,  do  not  so  offend, 

Let  mine  own  judgment  pattern  out  my  death, 

And  nothing  come  in  partial.     He  must  die. 


Maxims.  1 .  If  a  person  feels  wrong,  he  will 
be  very  sure  to  judge  wrong,  and  thence  do 
wrong.  2.  Passions  strong,  judgment  wrong,  all 
the  world  over.  3.  Always  do  the  very  best  you 
can,  and  then  you'll  be  a  wise  man.  4.  Children 
should  be  encouraged  to  do,  whatever  they  un- 
dertake, in  the  very  best  manner.  5.  He  who 
aims  low,  can  never  hit  exalted  objects ;  and  he 
who  is  accustomed  to  do  the  best  he  can,  in 
things,  will  be  best  prepared  to  attain  excellence 
in  the  highest.  6.  Children  should  never  be  al- 
lowed to  fall  into  habits  of  disorder  in  anything ; 
nor  permitted  to  put  things  out  of  order,  or  make 
work  for  others.  7.  Of  goods,  prefer  the  greatest; 
of  evils  choose  the  least.  8.  Children  are  alwa)  s 
more  attracted  and  interested  by  oral  instruction, 
than  by  book  instruction. 

Anecdote.  A  Quaker — was  waited  on  by 
four  of  his  workmen,  to  make  their  compli- 
ments to  him,  and  ask  for  their  usual  New- 
year's  gifts.  The  Quaker  told  them,  There  are 
your  gifts, — choose  fifteen  francs,  or  the  Bi- 
ble. All  took  the  francs,  but  a  lad,  about 
fourteen,  who  chose  the  Bible,  as  the  Qua- 
ker said  it  was  a  good  book ;  and,  on  open  ing 
it  he  found,  between  the  leaves,  a  gold  piece 
of  forty  francs.  The  others  held  down  their 
heads,  and  the  giver  told  them,  he  was  sorry 
they  had  not  made  a  better  choice. 

Varieties.    1.  We  cannot  be  truly  just, 
without  prudence,  or  truly  prudent,  without 
justice;   because  prudence  leads  us  to  in- 
quire what  is  just ;   and  justice  alone  can 
prevent  that  perversion  of  intellect  taking 
place,  which  often  2)asses  for  prudence,  but  is 
only  cunning,  the  offspring  of  selfishness. 
2.  Temperance  signifies  the  right  use  of  the 
right  things,  furnished  by  nature  for  our  en- 
joyment, so  that  they  may  not  injure,  but 
benefit  us ;  and  instead  of  unfitting  us  for 
our  duties,  dispose  and  fit  us  for  their  per- 
formance.   3.  He,  who  is  not  temperate,  is  a 
slave  to  his  appetites  and  passions ;  the  slave 
of  drinking,  gluttony  and   lust ;   of  pride, 
vanity  and  ambition  ;  because  he  is  not  at 
liberty  to  be,  what  he  was  created  to  be. 
The  prophet  spoke  :  when,  with  a  gloomy  frown, 
The  monarch  started— from  his  shining  throne  ; 
Black  choler  filled  his  breast,  thatboil'd  with  ire, 
And,  from  his  eyeballs,  flashed  the  living  fire. 
Of  beasts,  it  is  confessed  the  ape- 
Comes  nearest  us — in  human  shape  ; 
Like  wan,  he  imitates  each  fashion; 
And  malice — is  his  ruling  passion. 
I  hate,  when  vice  can  holt  her  arguments, 
And  virtue— has  no  tongue,  to  check  her  pride. 
But  not  to  me  return 
Day,  or  the  sweet  approach  of  even  and  mom, 
But  cloud  instead,  and  ever-during  dark 
Surrounds  me. 
If  sweet  content  is  banished  from  my  soul, 
Life  grows  a  burden,  and  a  weight  of  woe. 
INTusic — moves  us,  and  we  know  nolivhy  ; 
We  feel  the  tears,  but  cannot  trace  their  source. 


200 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


498.  Affirming, 
with  a  judicial  oalh,  is 
expressed  by  lifting  up 
the  right  hand  and  eyes 
towards  heaven  ;  if  con- 
science be  applied  to, 
by  laying  the  right  hand 
upon  the  breast  exactly 
upon  the  heart ;  the  voice 
low  and  solemn,  the 
words  slow  and  deliber- 
ate ;  but  when  the  affir- 
mation is  mixed  with 
rage  or  resentment,  the 
voice  is  more  open  and 
loud,  the  words  quicker, 
and  the  countenance  has  all  the  confidence  of  a 
strong  and  peremptory  assertion. 

Notes.  The  Duke  had  reproached  Lord  Thurlow  with  his 
plebeian  extraction  and  his  recent  admission  to  the  peerage.  He 
rose  from  the  woolsack  and  advanced  slowly  to  the  place  from 
winch  the  chancellor  addresses  the  house,  then  fixin?  his  eye  on 
the  Duke  (in  the  words  of  a  spectator,)  "  with  the  look  of  Jove 
when  he  has  grasped  the  thunder,"  spoke  as  follows: 

My  Lords— I  am  amazed  ;  yes  my  Lords,  I  am 
amazed  at  his  grace's  speech.  The  noble  duke 
cannot  look  before  him.  behind  him,  or  on  either 
side  of  him.  without  seeing  some  noble  peer,  who 
owes  his  seat  in  this  house  to  his  successful  ex- 
ertions, in  the  profession  to  which  I  belong.  Does 
he  not  feel  that  it  is  as  honorable,  to  owe  it  to 
these,  as  to  being  the.  accident  of  an  accident?  To 
all  these  noble  lords,  the  language  of  the  noble 
duke  is  as  applicable,  and  as  insulting,  as  it  is  to 
myself.  .But  I  don't  fear  to  meet  it  sing!'-  and 
alone.  No  one  venerates  the  peerage  more  than 
I  do— but.  my  lords,  I  must  say,  that  the  peerage 
solicited  me, — not  I  the  peerage. 

Nay  more. — I  can  say,  and  will  say,  that  as  a 
peer  oi~  parliament, — as  speaker  of  this  right  hon- 
orable house,  as  keeper  of  the  great  seal, — as 
guardian  of  his  majesty's  conscience, — as  lord 
high  chancellor  of  England — nay,  even  in  that 
character  alone,  in  which  the  noble  duke  would 
think  it  an  affront  to  be  considered — but  which 
character  none  can  deny  me — as  a  mam,  I  am,  at 
this  time,  as  much  respected,  as  the  proudest  peer 
I  now  look  down  upon. 

A  man  of  sovereign  parts  he  is  esteem'd ! 
Well  fitted  in  the  arts,  glorious  in  arms  ; 
Nothing  becomes  him  ill,  thai  he  would  well. 
The  only  soil  of  his  fair  virtue's  gloss, 
(If  virtue's  gloss  will  stain  with  any  soil,) 
Is  a  sharp  wit  match'd  with  too  blunt  a  will :  [wills 
Whose  ed<ic  hath  power  to  cut,  whose  will  still 
It  should  none  spare  that  come  within  his  power. 
Anecdote.    Butler,  Bishop  of  Durham, 
and  author  of  the  Analogy,  being  applied  to 
for  a  charitable  subscription,  asked  his  steward 
what  money  he  had  in  his  house ;  the  stew- 
ard informed  him  there  were  five  hundred 
pounds.    "  Five  hundred  pounds .'"  said  the 
bishop ;  "  what  a  shame  for  a  bishop  to  have 
suck,  a  sum  in  his  possession !"    And  he  or- 
dered it  all  to  be  given  to  the  poor  immedi- 
ately. 

Bold  with  joy, 
Forth  from, his  lonely  hiding-place, 
(Portentous  sight!)  the  owlet  Atheism, 
Sailing  on  obscure  wings  athwart  the  noon, 
Drops  his  blue-fringed  lids,  and  holds  them  close, 
And,  hooting  at  the  glorious  sun  in  heaven, 
Cries  out,  "  Where  is  it?" 

The  world  is  still  deceived  by  ornament. 


Laconics.  I  have  seen  the  flower — wither- 
ing on  the  stalk,  and  its  bright  leaves — spread  on 
the  ground.  I  looked  again;  it  sprung  forth 
afresh  ;  its  stem  was  crowed  with  new  buds,  and 
its  sweetness  filled  the  air.  I  have  seen  the  sun 
set  in  the  teest,  and  the  shades  of  night  shut  in 
the  wide  horizon :  there  was  no  color  or  shape, 
nor  beauty,  nor  music  ;  gloom  and  darkness  brooded 
around.  I  looked  !  the  sun  broke  forth  again  upon 
the  east,  and  gilded  the  mountain-lops  ;  the  lark 
rose — to  meet  him  from  her  low  nest,  and  the 
shades  of  darkness  fled  away.  I  have  seen  the 
insect,  being  come  to  its  full  size,  languish,  and  re- 
fuse to  eat :  it  spun  itself  a  tomb,  and  was  shroud- 
ed in  the  silken  cone :  it  lay  without_/cet,  or  shape, 
or  power  to  move.  I  looked  again :  it  had  burst  its 
tomb ;  it  was  full  of  life,  and  sailed  on  colored 
wings  through  the  soft  air ;  it  rejoiced  in  its  new 
being. 

Varieties.    1.  Many  a  young  lady  can 
chatter  in  French  or  Italian,  thrum  the  piano, 
and  paint  a  little,  and  yet  be  ignorant  of 
housekeeping,  and  not  know  how  even  to 
make  a  loaf  of  bread,  roast  a  piece  of  meat, 
or  make  a  palatable  soup.    2.  It  is  a  false 
idea  to  think  of  elevating  woman  to  her  right 
position  of  intelligence  and  influence  in  so- 
ciety, without  making  her  thoroughly  and 
practically  acquainted  with  the  details  of  do- 
mestic life.    3.  It  is  wrong  for  either  men  or 
women,  to  bury  themselves  in  their  every- 
day avocation,  to  the  neglect  of  intellectual 
and  moral  culture,  and  the  social  amenities 
of  fife:  but  it  is  still  worse  to  give  exclusive 
attention  to  the  latter,  and  utterly  neglect  the 
former;  because,  in  the  former  are  involved 
our  first  and  most  important  duties.    4.  Neg- 
lected duties  never  bring  happiness:  even 
the  best  of  society  would  fail  to  delight,  if 
enjoyed  at  the  expense  of  human  duties.    5. 
That  which  is  our  duty  should  always  take 
precedence  :    otherwise,  no  effort  to  obtain 
happiness  can  be  successful. 
Still — let  my  song — a  nobler  note  assume, 
And  sing  the  impressive  force  of  Spring  on  man : 
Then,  heaven— and  earth,  as  if  contending, — vie 
To  raise  his  being, — and  serene — his  soul. 
Can  he  forbear— to  join — the  general  smile 
Of  nature?  Can  fierce  passions — vex  his  breast, 
While  every  gale  is  peace,  and  every  grove 
Is  melody  ? 

The  happiness — of  human  kind, 
Consists — in  rectitude  of  mind, — 
A  will — subdued  to  reason's  sway, 
And  passions — practiced  to  obey : 
An  open — and  a  generous  heart, 
Refined  from  selfishness — and  art; 
Patience,  which  mocks — at  fortune's  power, 
And  "wisdom — neither  sad,  nor  sour. 
Never  forget  our  loves. — but  always  cling 
To  the  fixed  hope — th't  there  will  be  a  time, — 
When  we  can  meet — unfettered — and  be  blest— 
With  ilicfull  happiness — of  certain  love. 
A  villain,  when  he  most  seems  kind, 
Is  most  to  be  suspected. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


201 


499.  Revision. 
Having  gone  thro', 
briefly,  with  the  ma- 
jor passions,  and 
given  illustrations 
of  each,  before  dis- 
missing these  im- 
portant subjects,  it 
may  be  u  s  e  f  u  1  to 
present  the  minor 
ones;  occasionally 
alluding  to  the  prin- 
cipal ones.  The  ac- 
companying engra- 
ving represents 
calm  fortitude,  dis- 
cretion,  benevo- 
lence, goodness.and 
nobility.  Admira- 
tion may  also  be 
combined  with  amazement:  surprise,  (which  sig- 
nifies— taken  on  a  sudden,)  may,  for  a  moment, 
startle:  astonishment  may  stupefy,  and  cause  an 
entire  suspension  of  the  faculties;  but  amazement 
has  also  a  mixture  of  perturbation;  as  the  word 
means  to  be  in  a  maze,  so  as  not  to  be  able  to 
collect  one's  self:  there  is  no  mind  that  may  not, 
at  times,  he  thrown  into  amazement  at  the  awful 
dispensations  of  Providence. 

ADMONITION  TO   ACT   JUSTLY. 

Remember  March,  the  ides  of  March  remember ! 
Did  not  great  Julius — bleed  for  justice'  sake? 
What  villain  touch'd  his  body., — that  did  stab, 
And  not  for  justice  ? 
Wliat!  shall  one  of  us, 

That  struck  the  foremost  man — of  all  this  world, 
But  for  supporting  robbers,  shall  ive — now — 
Contaminate  our  fingers  with  base  bribes? 
And  sell  the  mighty  space  of  our  large  honors, 
For  so  much  trash — as  may  be  grasped  thus? 
I  had  rather  be  a  dog,  and  bay  the  moon, 
Than  such  a  Roman. 

Anecdote.  Ethelwold,  bishop  of  Win- 
chester, in  king  Edgar's  time,  sold  the  gold 
and  silver  vessels  belonging  to  the  church,  to 
relieve  the  poor,  during  a  famine,  saying: 
"  There  is  no  reason,  that  the  senseless  tem- 
ples of  God,  should  abound  in  riches,  while  his 
living  temples  ware  perishing  with  hunger." 

DOMESTIC   LOVE   AND   HAPPINESS. 

O  happy  they !  the  happiest  of  their  kind ! 

Whom  gentle  stars  unite,  and  in  one  fate 

Their  hearts,  their  fortunes,  and  their  beings  blend. 

Tis  not  the  coarser  tie — of  human  laws, 

Unnatural  oft,  and  foreign  to  the  mind, 

That  binds  their  peace,  but  harmony  itself, 

Attuning  all  their  passions  into  love; 

Where  friendship — full,  exerts  her  softest  power, 

Perfect  esteem,  enliven'd  by  desire 

Ineffable,  and  sympathy  of  soul; 

Thought,  meeting  thought,  and  will  preventing  will, 

With  boundless  confidence:  for  nought  but  love 

Can  ansiver  love,  and  render  bliss  secure. 

Merit — seldom  shows 
Itself— bedecked  in  tinsel,  or  fine  clothes; 
But,  hermit-like,  'tis  oft'ner  us'd  to  fly, 
And  hide  its  beauties — in  obscurity. 

For  places  in  the  court,  are  but  like  beds — 
In  the  hospital;  where  this  man's  head — lies 
At  that  man's  foot,  and  so,  lower  and  lower. 


Laconics.  1.  The  idle — often  delay  till  to- 
morrow, what  ought  to  be  done  to-day.  2.  Science 
is  the  scribe,  and  theology  the  interpreter  of  God's 
works.  3.  Regret  is  unavailing,  when  a  debt  is 
contracted;  tho'  a  little  prudence,  might  have  pre- 
vented its  being  incurred.  4.  A  loud,  or  vehement 
mode  of  delivery,  accompanied  by  a  haughty  ac- 
tion, may  render  an  expression  highly  offensive; 
but  which  would  be  perfectly  harmless,  if  pro- 
nounced properly.  5.  Dislionesty  chooses  the  most 
expeditious  route  ;  virtue  the  right  one,  though  it  be 
more  circuitous.  G.  Is  the  soul  a  mere  vapor,  a 
something  without  either  essence  or  form?  7.  Im- 
pressions, firmly  fixed-  in  the  mind,  and  long  cher- 
ished, are  erased  with  great  difficulty  ;  how  impor- 
tant, then,  they  should  be  good  ones. 

Difficulty — is  a  severe  instructor,  set  over 
us  by  the  supreme  ordinance  of  a  parental 
guardian  and  legislator,  who  knows  us  better 
than  we  know  ourselves,  and  he  loves  us  bet- 
ter  too.  He,  that  wrestles  with  us,  strengthens 
our  nerves,  and  sharpens  our  skill.  Our  an- 
tagonist is  our  helper.  This  amicable  conflict 
with  difficulty  obliges  us  to  an  intimate  ac- 
quaintance with  our  object,  and  compels  us 
to  consider  it  in  all  its  relations.  It  will  not 
sutler  us  to  be  superficial. 

VARIETIES. 

Sleep — seldom  visits  sorrow ; 

When  it  does,  it  is  a  comforter. 
Why,  on  that  brow,  dwell  sorrow  and  dismay, 
Where  loves  were  wont  to  sport,  and  smiles  to  play7' 

With  equal  mind,  what  happens,  let  us  bear, 
Nor  joy,  nor  grieve  too  much,  for  things  beyond  our  care. 
Thus,  my  fleeting  days,  at  last, 
Unheeded,  silently  are  passed, 
Calmly — shall  I  resign  my  breath, 
In  life — unknown,— forgot — in  death. 
Love — never  reasons,  but  profusely  gives; 
Gives,  like  a  thoughtless  prodigal,  its  all, 
And  trembles  then,  lest  it  has  done  too  little. 
Tho'  all  seems  lost,  'tis  impious — to  despair; 
The  tracks  of  Providence — like  rivers — wind. 
Why  shrinks  the  soul 
Back  on  herself,  and  startles  at  destruction  ? 
'Tis  the  Divinity — that  stirs  within  us. 
Still  raise — for  good — the  supplicating  voice, 
But  leave  to  Heaven  the  measure,  and  the  choice; 
Safe  in  His  power,  whose  eye  discerns  afar 
The  secret  ambush  of  a  specious  prayer. 
Implore  His  aid;  in  His  decisions  rest; 
Secure — whate'er  He  gives,  he  gives  the  best. 
Yet,  when  the  sense  of  sacred  presence  fires, 
And  strong  devotion — to  the  skies  -aspires, 
Pour  forth  thy  fervors — for  a  healthful  mind, 
Obedient  passions,  and  a  will  resigned ; 
For  love,  which  scarce  collective  man  can  fill ; 
For  patience,  sovereign  o'er  transmuted  ill; 
For  faith,  that,  panting  for  a  happier  seat, 
Counts  death — kind  nature's  signal  of  retreat: 
These  goods — for  man — the  laws  of  heaven  ordain, 
These  goods  He  grants,  who  grants  the  power  to 
With  these  celestial  wisdom  calms  the  mind,  [gain, 
And  makes  the  happiness— she  does  not  find. 

Call  it  diversion,  and  the  pill  goes  down, 
26 


202 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


50©.  Arguing  requires  a  cool,  sedate,  atten- 
tive aspect,  and  a  close,  slow,  and  emphatical 
accent,  with  much  demonstration  by  the  hand  ; 
it  assumes  somewhat  of  authority,  as  if  fully 
convinced  of  what  it  pleads  for;  and  sometimes 
rises  to  great  vehemence  and  energy  of  action  : 
the  voice  clear,  distinct,  and  firm  as  in  confidence. 

REASONING   WITH    DEFERENCE    TO   OTHERS. 

Ay,  but  yet — 

Let  us  be  keen,  and  rather  cut  a  little,      [tleman, 
Than  fall  and  bruise  to  death.    Alas !  this  gen- 
Whom  I  would  save,  had  a  most  noble  father ! 
Let  but  your  honor  know,  (whom  I  believe 
To  be  most  straight  in  virtue)  whether,  in 
The  working  of  your  own  affections,  \}ng. 

Had  time  cohered  with  place,  or  place  with  wish- 
Ox,  that  the  resolute  acting  of  your  blood,   [pose, 
Could  have  attain'd  the  effect  of  your  own  pur- 
Whether  you  had  not  some  time  in  your  life, 
Err'd  in  this  point,  you  censure  now  in  him, 
And  pull'd  the  law  upon  you. 

591*  Affectation — displays  itself  in  a  thou- 
sand different  gestures,  airs,  and  looks,  accord- 
ing to  the  character  which  the  person  affects. 
Affectation  of  learning- — gives  a  stiff  formality  to 
the  whole  person  :  the  words  come  stalking  out 
with  thc!  pace  of  afuneral  procession,  and  every 
sentence  has  the  solemnity  of  an  oracle.  Affec- 
tation—of  pity — turns  up  the  goggling  whites  of 
the  eye  to  heaven,  as  if  the  person  was  in  a 
trance,  and  fixes  them  in  that  posture  so  long, 
that  the  brain  of  the  beholder  grows  giddy  : 
then  comes  up  deep  grumbling,  a  holy  groan 
from  the  lower  part  of  the  thorax,  but  so  tremen- 
dous in  sound,  and  so  long  protracted,  that  you 
expect  to  see  a  goblin  rise,  like  an  exhalation 
from  the  solid  earth  :  thus  he  begins  to  rock, 
from  side  to  side,  or  backward  and  forward,  like 
an  aged  pine  on  the  side  of  a  hill,  when  a  brisk 
wind  blows;  the  hands  are  clasped  together, 
and  often  lifted,  and  the  head  shaken  with  fool- 
ish vehemence  ;  the  tone  of  voice  is  canting,  or 
a  sing-song  lullaby,  not  much  removed  from  an 
Irish  howl,  and  the  words  godly  doggerel.  Af- 
fectation of  Beauty,  and  killing — puts  a  fine 
woman,  by  turns,  into  all  sorts  of  forms,  appear- 
ances and  attitudes,  but  amiable  ones  :  she  un- 
does by  art,  or  rather  awkwardness,  all  that  na- 
ture has  done  for  her  ;  for  nature  formed  her  al- 
most an  angel  :  and  she,  with  infinite  pains, 
makes  herself  a  monkey  :  this  species  of  affec- 
tation is  easily  imitated,  or  taken  off:  in  doing 
which,  make  as  many,  and  as  ugly  grimaces,  mo- 
tions and  gestures,  as  can  be  made  ;  and  take 
care  that  nature  never  peeps  out ;  thus  you  may 
represent  coquettish  affectation  to  the  life. 

Anecdote.  A  nobleman  advised  a  bishop 
to  make  an  addition  to  his  house,  of  a  new 
wing,  in  modern  style.  The  prelate  answer- 
ed him,  "  The  difference  between  your  ad- 
vice and  that  which  the  devil  gave  to  our  Sa- 
viour— is,  that  Satan  advised  Jesus  to  change 
stone.?  into  bread,  that  the  poor  might  be  fed ; 
and  you  desire  me  to  turn  the  bread  of  the 
poor  into  stones. 

A  wise  poor  man, 
Islike  a  sacred  book  that's  never  read  ; 
To  himself  he  lives,  and  to  all  else  seem3  dead  : 
This  age  thinks  better  of  a  gilded  fool, 
Than  of  a  threadbare  saint  in  wisdom's  school. 
Cheerful  looks — make  every  dish — a  feast, 
And  'tis  that— crowns  a  welcome. 


laconics.  1.  To  know — is  one  thing,  to  do, 
is  another.  2.  Consider  what  is  said,  rather  than 
who  said  it :  and  the  consequence  of  the  argu- 
ment, rather  than  the  consequence  of  him,  who 
delivers  it.  3.  These  proverbs,  maxims,  and  lacon- 
ics, are  founded  on  the  facts,  that  mankind  are  the 
same,  and  that  the  passions  are  the  disturbing 
forces  ;  the  greater  or  less  prevalence  of  which, 
give  individuality  to  character.  4.  If  parents 
give  their  children  an  improper  education,  whose 
is  the  misfortune,  and  whose  the  crimes  ?  5.  The 
greater  your  facilities  are  for  acquiring  knowl- 
edge, the  greater  should  be  your  efforts :  and  ge- 
nius— is  the  power — of  jnaking  efforts.  G.  The 
worWs  unfavorable  views  of  conduct  and  cha- 
racter, are  as  floating  clouds,  from  which  the 
brightest  day  is  not  free.  7.  Never  marry — but 
for  love  ;  and  see  that  thou  lovest  only  what  is 
lovely. 

This  "World.  What  is  the  happiness  that 
this  world  can  give  ?  Can  it  defend  us  from  dis- 
asters ?  Can  it  preserve  our  hearts  from  grief, 
our  eyes  from  tears,  or  our  feet  from  falling  ? 
Can  it  prolongour  comforts  ?  Can  it  multiply  our 
days'?  Can  it  redeem  ourselves,  or  our  friends 
from  death  1  Can  it  soothe  the  king  of  terrors, 
or  mitigate  the  agonies  of  the  dying'! 

VARIETIES. 

Three  poets,  in  three  distant  ages  born, 

Greece,  Italy,  and  England  did  adorn. 

The  first  in  loftiness  of  thought  surpassed  ; 

The  next,  in  majesty  ;  in  both,  the  last. 

The  force  of  nature  could  no  further  go; 

To  make  a  third,  she  join'd  the  former  two. 

Under  a  portrait  of  Milton — Dryden. 
The  poetry  of  earth  is  never  dead! — 

When  all  the  birds  are  faint  with  the  hot  sun, 

And  hide  in  cooling  trees,  a  voice  will  run, 
From  hedge  to  hedge  about  the  new-mown  mead; 
That  is  the  grasshopper's  ; — he  takes  the  lead 

In  summer  luxury  ; — he  has  never  done 

With  his  delights  ;  for  when  tired  out  with  fun 
lie  rests  at  ease  beneath  some  pleasant  weed 
The  poetry  of  earth  is  ceasing  never! — 

On  a  lone  winter  evening,  when  the  frost 
Has  wro't  a  silence  from  the  stove,  there  shrills 
The  cricket's  song,  in  warmth  increasing  ever, 

And  seems  to  one,  in  drowsiness  half  lost, 
The  grasshopper's  among  some  grassy  hills. 
Believe  me,  if  all  those  endearing  young  charms, 

Which  I  gaze  on  so  fondly  to-day,  [arms, 

Were  to  change  by  to-morrow,  and  fleet  in  my 

Like  fairy  gifts  fading  away  ;  [thou  art, 

Thou  wouldst  still  be  ador'd,  as  this  moment 

Let  thy  loveliness  fade  as  it  will, 
And  around  the  dear  ruin  each  wish  of  my  heart, 

Would  entwine  itself  verdantly  still. 
It  is  not  while  beauty  and  youth  are  thy  own, 

And  thy  cheeks  unprofan'd  by  a  tear, 
That  the  fervor  and  faith  of  a  soul  can  be  known, 

To  which  time  will  but  make  thee  more  dear. 
Oh  !  the  heait  that  has  truly  lov'd,  never  forgets, 

But  as  truly  loves  on  to  the  close  ; 
As  the  sunflower  turns  on  her  god,  when  he  sets, 

The  same  look  which  she  turn'd  when  he  rose! 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


203 


503.  Authority — opens  the  countenance,  but 
draws  the  eye-brows  a  little,  so  as  to  give  the  look 
an  air  of  gravity. 

AUTHORITY    FORBIDDING  COMBATANTS  TO   FIGHT. 

Let  them  lay  by  their  helmets  and  their  spears, 

And  both  return  back  to  their  chairs  again : — 

Withdraw  from  us, — and  let  the  trumpet  sound; 

Draw  near — 

And  list  what,  with  our  council,  we  have  done. 

For  that  our  kingdom's  earth — should  not  be  soiPd, 

With  that  dear  blood  which  it  hscthfoster'd; 

And  for  our  eyes — doth  hate  the  dire  aspect, 

Of  civil  u'otouAsjplough'd  up  wh\\neighbor,s  swords: 

Therefore,  we  banish  you  our  territories : 

You,  cousin  Hereford,  upon  pain  of  death. 

Till  twice  five  summers  have  enriched  our  fields, 

Shall  not  regTet  our  fair  dominions, 

But  tread  the  stranger  paths  of  banishment. 

504.  Philosophers  say,  that  man  is  a  mi- 
crocosm, or  a  little  world,  resembling  in  mi- 
niature every  part  of  the  great;  and,  in  our 
opinion,  the  body  natural  may  be  compared 
to  the  body  politic ;  and  if  that  be  so,  how 
can  the  Epicurean's  opinion  be  true,  that  the 
universe  was  formed  by  a  fortuitous  concourse 
of  atoms?  which  we  will  no  more  believe, 
than  that  the  accidental  jumbling  of  the  let- 
ters of  the  alphabet  could  fall  by  chance  into 
a  most  ingenious  and  learned  treatise  of  phi- 
losophy. 

On  pain  of  death, — no  person  be  so  bold 
Or  daring  hardy,  as  to  touch  the  lists, 
Except  the  marshal,  and  such  officers 
Appointed  to  direct  these  fair  designs. 

THE  BOOK   OF   NATURE. 

Let  fancy — lead, 
And  be  it  ours — to  follow,  and  admire, 
As  well  we  may,  the  graces  infinite 
Of  nature.    Lay  aside  the  sweet  resource 
That  winter  needs,  and  may  at  will  obtain, 
Of  authors,  chaste  and  good,  and  let  us  read 
The  living  page,  whose  every  character 
Delights,  and  gives  us  ivisdom.    Not  a  tree, 
A  plant,  a  leaf,  a  blossom,  but  contains 
A  folio  volume.    We  may  read,  and  read, 
And  read  again,  and  still  find  something  new, 
Something  to  please,  and  something  to  instruct, 
E'en  in  the  noisome  weed. 

Anecdote.  Eat  Bucon.  Dr.  Watson,  late 
bishop  of  Landaff,  was  enthusiastically  at- 
tached to  the  writings  of  Lord  Bacon ;  and 
considered,  that  no  one,  desirous  of  acquiring 
real  sound  knowledge,  could  read  the  works 
of  that  great  man  too  often,  or  with  too  much 
care  and  attention.  It  was  frequently  re- 
marked by  him — "  If  a  man  wishes  to  become 
wise,  he  should  eat  Bacon.'' 

Making  Resolutions.  Never  form  a  re- 
solution that  is  not  a  good  one ;  and,  when 
once  formed,  never  break  it.  If  you  form  a 
resolution,  and  then  break  it,  you  set  your- 
self a  bad  example,  and  you  are  very  likely 
to  follow  it.  A  person  may  get  the  habit  of 
breaking  his  resolutions;  this  is  as  bad  to 
the  character  and  mind,  as  an  incurable  dis- 
ease to  the  body.     No  person  can  become 


great,\nA  by  keeping  his  resolutions;  no  per- 
son ever  escaped  contempt,  who  could  not 
keep  them. 

Laconics.  1.  Writing  and  printing  serve  as 
clothing  to  our  ideas,  by  which  they  become  visi- 
ble informs,  and  permanent  in  duration;  thus, 
painters  speak  of  embodying  the  fleeting  colors 
of  beautifuly7oi(,ers,  by  fixing  them  in  some  earth- 
ly substance.  L>.  W  hen  the  pupil  of  our  intellectual 
eyes  becomes  adjusted  to  the  darkness  of  error, 
genuine  trutli  dazzles  and  blinds  us.  3.  Habit  can 
only  get  the  better  of  habit;  but  beware  of  chang- 
ing one  bad  habit  for  another.  4.  The  torch  of 
improvement,  is  destined  to  pass  from  hand  to 
hand ;  and  what,  tho'  we  do  not  see  the  order?  5. 
When  nature  is  excited,  she  will  put  forth  her  ef- 
forts; if  not  in  a  right,  in  a  wrong  way.  6.  Con- 
sent— is  the  essence  of  marriage,  the  ceremonies — its 
form,  and  the  duties — its  uses. 

Physiological  Ignorance— is  undoubt- 
edly, the  most  abundant  source  of  our  sufferings: 
every  person,  accustomed  to  the  sick,  must  have 
heard  them  deplore  their  ignorance — of  die  neces- 
sary consequences  of  those  practices,  by  which 
their  health  has  been  destroyed :  and  when  men 
shall  be  deeply  convinced,  that  the  eternal  laws  of 
Nature  have  connected  pain  and  decrepititde  with 
one  mode  of  life,  and  health  and  vigor  with  another, 
they  will  avoid  the  former,  and  adhere  to  the  latter. 
It  is  strange,  however,  to  observe,  that  the  gener- 
ality of  mankind  do  not  seem  to  bestow  a  single 
thought  on  the  preservation  of  their  health,  till  it  is 
too  late  to  reap  any  benefit  from  their  conviction. 
If  knoivledge  of  this  kind  were  generally  diffused, 
people  would  cease  to  imagine,  that  the  human 
constitution  was  so  badly  contrived,  that  a  state 
of  general  health  could  be  overset  by  every  trifle; 
for  instance,  by  a  little  cold;  or  that  the  recovery 
of  it  lay  concealed  in  a  few  drops,  or  a  pill.  Did 
they  better  understand  the  nature  of  chronic  dis- 
eases, and  the  causes  which  produce  thein,  they 
could  not  be  so  unreasonable  as  to  think,  that  they 
might  live  as  they  choose,  with  impunity:  or  did 
they  know  anything  of  medicine,  they  would  soon 
be  convinced,  that  though  fits  of  pain  have  been 
relieved,  and  sickness  cured,  for  a  time,  the  re-es- 
tablishment of  health — depends  on  very  different 
powers  and  principles. 

'Tis  doing  wrong — creates  such  doubts.    These 
Render  us  jealous,  and  destroy  our  peace. 

Though  wisdom— wake, 
Suspicion  sleeps  at  wisdom's  gate,  and  to  simplicity 
Resigns  her  charge ;  while  goodness  thinks  no  ill. 
Where  no  ill  seems. 
'Tis  god-like  magnanimity — to  keep, 
When  most  provoked,  our  reason  calm,  and  clear 
Christianity— depends  on  fact; 
Religion — is  not  theory,  but  act. 
Amid  thy  bowers — the  tyrant's  hand  is  seen, 
And  desolation — reddens  all  thy  green. 
No  ;  there  is  rwne, — no  ruler  of  the  stars ; 
Regardful  of  my  miseries, — saith  despair. 
Calm,  and  serene,  he  sees  approaching  death, 
As  the  safe  port,  the  peaceful,  silent  shore, 
Where  he  may  rest, — life's  tedious  voyage  o'er. 


204 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


505.  Buffoonery—  assumes  a  sly,  arch,  leer- 
ing gravity;  nor  must  il  quit  the  serious  aspect, 
though  all  should  split  their  sides  :  which  com- 
mand of  countenance  is  somewhat  difficult,  but 
not  so  hard  to  acquire,  as  to  restrain  the  contrary 
sympathy — that  of  weeping  when  others  weep. 
Examples  wi  11  suggest  themselves.  Commanding 
requires  a  peremptory  air,  a  severe  and  stern  look: 
the  hand  is  held  out,  and  moved  towards  the 
person  to  whom  the  order  is  given,  with  the  palm 
upwards,  and  sometimes  it  is  accompanied  with 
a  significant  nod  of  the  head  to  the  person  ad- 
dress'd.  If  the  command  be  absolute,  and  to  a 
person  unwilling  to  obey,  the  right  hand  is  extend- 
ed and  projected  forcibly  towards  him. 

We  were  not  born  to  sue,  but  to  command  ; 

Which,  since  we  cannot  do,  to  make  youfriends, 

Be  ready — as  your  lives  shall  answer  it, 

At  Coventry,  upon  St.  Lambert's  day  ; 

There — shall  your  swords — and  lances  arbitrate 

The  swelling  difference  of  your  settled  hate  ; 

Since  we  cannot  stay  you,  you  shall  see 

Justice — decide  the  victor's  chivalry. 

Lord  Marshal — command  our  officers  at  arms, 

Bs  ready — to  direct  these  home  alarms. 

Silence,  ye  winds, 
That  make  outrageous  war  upon  the  ocean  : 
And  thou,  old  ocean  !  lull  thy  boisterous  waves; 
Ye  wavering  elements,  be  hushed  as  death, 
While  I  impose  my  dread  commands  on  hell; 
And  thou,  profoundest  hell :  whose  dreadful  sway 
Is  given  to  me  by  fate  and  demi-gorgon —  [gions; 
Hear,  hear  my  powerful  voice,  thro'  all  thy  re- 
And  from  thy  gloomy  caverns  thunder  the  reply. 
Begone  !  forever  leave  this  happy  sphere : 
For  perjur'd  lovers  have  no  mansions  here. 
Look  round  the  habitable  world,  how  few 
Know  their  own  good,  or,  knowing  it,  pursue. 

Happiness — does  not  consist  so  much  in 
outward  circumstances  and  personal  gratifi- 
cations, as  in  the  inward  feelings.  There 
can  be  no  true  enjoyment  of  that,  which  is 
not  honestly  obtained ;  for  a  sense  of  guilt  in- 
fuses into  it  a  bitter  ingredient,  which  makes 
it  nauseous.  What  pleasure  can  the  drunk- 
ard have  in  his  cups,  when  he  knows,  that 
every  drop  he  swallows,  is  so  much  dishon- 
estly taken  from  his  wife  and  children ;  and, 
that,  to  satisfy  his  brutal  propensity,  they  are 
deprived  of  the  necessaries  of  life? 

Anecdote.    Dr.  Franklin.    The  follow- 
ing epitaph,  was  written  by  himself,  many 
years  previous  to  Ms  death :  "  The  body  of 
Benjamin  Franklin,  Printer,  (like  the  cover 
of  an  old  book,  its  contents  torn  out,  and 
stripp'd  of  its  lettering  and  gilding,)  lies  here 
food  for  worms ;  yet  the  work  itself  shall  not 
be  lost;  for  it  will,  (as  he  believed,)  appear 
once  more  in  a  new  and  more  beautiful  edi- 
tion, corrected  and  amended  by  the  Author." 
He  is  a  parricide  to  his  mothers  name, 
And  with  an  impious  hand  murthers  her  fame, 
That  wrongs  the  praise  of  women;  that  dares  write 
Libels  on  saints,  or  with  foul  ink  requite 
The  milk  they  lent  us. 

None  think  the  great  unhappy,  but  the  great. 


Laconics.  1.  Every  act  of  apparent  disor- 
der and  destruction,  is,  when  contemplated  aright, 
and  taking  in  an  immeasurable  lapse  of  ages,  the 
most  perfect  order,  wisdom,  and  love.  2.  As  it  re- 
spects the  history  of  our  race,  scarcely  the  first 
hour  of  man  has  yet  passed  over  our  heads ;  why 
then  do  we  speak  of  partiality?  3.  In  turning 
our  eyes  to  the  regions  of  darkness,  in  the  history 
of  man,  as  well  as  to  those  of  light,  we  are  in- 
duced to  reflect  upon  our  ignorance,  as  well  as  up 
on  our  knowledge.  4.  The  natural  history  of  man, 
is  of  more  importance  than  that  of  all  animals, 
vegetables,  and  minerals;  and,  in  mastering  the 
former,  we  receive  a  key  to  unlock  the  mysteries 
of  the  latter.  5.  Some  professors  of  religion  boast 
of  their  ignorance  of  science;  and  some  would- 
be  philosophers,  treat  with  contempt,  all  truths,  that 
are  not  mathematical,  and  derived  from  facts  : 
which  show  the  greatest  folly? 

Effects  of  Success.  If  you  would  re- 
venge yourself  on  those  who  have  slighted 
you,  be  successful;  it  is  a  bitter  satire  on 
their  want  of  judgment,  to  show  that  you 
can  do  without  them, — a  galling,  wound — to 
the  self-love — of  proud,  inflated  people ;  but 
you  must  reckon  on  their  hatred,  as  they 
will  never  forgive  you. 

VARIETIES. 

They — never  fail,  who  die 
In  a  good  cause  ;  the  block  may  soak  their  gore; 
Their  heads — may  sodden  in  the  sun,  their  limbs, 
Be  strung  to  «'(i/-gates,  and  castle-walls ; 
But  still,  their  spirits — walk  aboad.    Though  years 
Elapse,  and  others — share  as  dark  a  doom, 
They  but  augment  the  deep  swelling  thought, 
Which  overpowers  all  others,  and  conduct 
The  world  at  last — to  freedom. 

The  ocean, — when  it  rolls  aloud, 
The  tempest — bursting  from  the  cloud, 

In  one  uninterrupted  peal .' 
When  darkness — sits  around  the  sky, 
And  shadowy  forms — go  trooping  by ; 

And  everlasting  mountains  reel, 
All,  all  of  this— is  FREEDOM'S  song— 

'Tis  pealed, — 'tis  pealed — eternally. 
joy  kneels,  at  morning's  rosy  prime, 

In  worship  to  the  rising  sun; 
But  Sorrow  loves  the  calmer  time, 

When  the  day-god  his  course  has  run  : 
When  Night  is  in  her  shadowy  car, 

Pale  Sorrow  wakes  while  Joy  doth  sleep, 
And,  guided  by  the  evening  star, 

She  wanders  forth  to  muse  and  weep. 
Joy  loves  to  cull  the  summer  flower, 

And  wreath  it  round  his  happy  brow ; 
But  when  the  dark  autumnal  hour 

Hath  laid  the  leaf  and  blossom  low  ; 
When  the  frail  bud  hath  lost  its  worth, 

And  Joy  hath  dash'd  it  from  his  crest, 
Then  Sorrow  takes  it  from  the  earth, 
To  wither  on  her  wither'd  breast. 
Oh,  Liberty,  thou  goddess,  heavenly  bright, 
Profuse  of  bliss,  and  pregnant  with  delight ! 
Eternal  pleasures  in  thy  presence  reign, 
And  smiling  plenty  loads  thy  wanton  train. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


205 


500.  CoiMENT)ATiON — is  the  expression  of  the 
approbation  we  have  for  any  object,  in  which 
we  find  any  congruity  to  onr  ideas  of  excellence, 
natural,  or  moral,  so  as  to  communicate  pleasure  : 
as  it  generally  supposes  superiority  in  the  person 
commending,  it  assumes  the  aspect  of  love  (but 
without  desire  and  respect.)  and  expresses  itself 
in  a  mild  tone  of  voice,  with  a  small  degree  of 
confidence  ;  the  arms  are  gently  spread,  the  hands 
open,  with  the  palms  upwards,  directed  toward  the 
person  approved,  and  sometimes  lifted  up  and 
down,  as  if  pronouncing  praise. 

You  have  done  our  pleasures  very  much  grace,  fair 
Set  a  fair  fashion  on  our  entertainment,       [ladies; 
Which  was  not  half  so  beautiful  and  kind; 
Vou*ve  added  worth  unto't,  and  lively  lustre, 
And  entertain'd  me  with  mine  own  device  ;- 
I  am  to  thank  you  for  it. 
O  good  old  man,  how  well  in  thee — appears 
The  constant  service  of  the  antique  world, 
When  service  sweat  for  duty,  not  for  meed! 
Thou  art  not  for  the  fashion  of  these  times, 
Where  none  will  sweat — but  for  promotion  ; 
And  having  that,  do  choke  their  service  up, 
Even  with  the  having:  it  is  not  so  with  thee. 

507.  Observation.  Nothing  appears 
easier  than  to  observe,  yet  few  things  are  more 
uncommon.  By  observe — is  meant  to  consi- 
der a  subject  in  all  its  various  parts ;  first,  each 
part  separately ;  then  to  examine  its  analogy 
with  contiguous,  or  other  possible  subjects ; 
to  conceive  and  retain  the  various  proportions 
which  delineate,  define  and  constitute  the  es- 
sence of  the  thing  under  consideration;  to 
have  clear  ideas  of  these  proportions,  indivi- 
dually and  collectively,  as  contributing  to  form 
a  whole,  so  as  not  to  confound  them  with 
other  properties  or  tilings,  however  great  the 
resemblance.  The  observer  will  often  see 
where  the  unobservant  is  blind.  To  observe, 
is  to  be  attentive,  so  as  to  fix  the  mind  on  a 
particular  object,  which  it  selects  for  consid- 
eration from  a  number  of  surrounding  objects. 
To  be  attentive — is  to  consider  some  one  par- 
ticular object,  exclusively  of  all  others,  and  to 
analyze  and  distinguish  its  peculiarities. 

Anecdote.  During  the  mock  trial  of  Louis 
XVI.,  he  was  asked,  what  he  had  done  with 
a  certain  sum  of  money,  a  few  thousand 
pounds.  His  voice  failed,  him,  and  the  tears 
came  into  his  eyes  at  the  question ;  at  length 
he  replied — "I  loved  to  make  the  people 
happy."  He  had  given  the  money  away  in 
charity. 

Sweet — was  the  sound,  when  oft,  at  evening's  close, 
Up  yonder  hill — the  village  murmur  rose; 
There,  as  I  passed,  with  careless  steps — and  slow, 
The  mingling  notes,  came  softened — from  below: 
The  sivain — responsive,  as  the  milkmaid  sung, 
The  sober  herd,  that  lowed  to  meet  their  young; 
The  noisy  geese,  that  gabbled  o'er  the  pool. 
The  playful  children.]  ust  let  loose  from  school,  [wind, 
The  watch-dog's  voice,  that  bay'd  the  whispering 
And  the  loud  laugh,  that  spoke  the  vacant  mind; 
These  all — in  soft  confusion — sought  the  shade, 
And  filled  each  pause,  the  nightingale  had  made. 

S 


Laconics.  1.  To  devolve  on  science  the  du- 
ties of  religion,  or  on  religion  the  duties  of  science, 
is  to  bind  together  the  living  and  the  dead.  2.  The 
prevailing  error  of  our  times  is,  the  cultivation  of 
the  intellectual  faculties,  to  the  neglect  of  the  mor- 
al faculties  ;  when  the  former  alone  are  develop'd, 
the  child  has  acquired  the  means  of  doing  good  or 
evil — to  himself,  to  society,  to  his  country,  or  to  the 
world ;  but  practical  goodness  alone,  can  preserve 
the  equilibrium.  3.  Many  persons  have  an  unfor- 
tunate passion  for  inventing_/jc«ion.s,  merely  for  the 
purpose  of  exciting  amazement  in  their  hearers. 
4.  Those  who,  without  having  sufficient  know- 
ledge of  us,  form  an  unfavorable  opinion  respect- 
ing us,  do  not  injure  us;  they  reflect  on  a  phan- 
tom of  their  own  imagination. 
The  heart,  like  a  tendril,  accustomed  to  cling, 

Let  it  go  where  it  will,  cannot  flourish  alone; 
But  will  lean  to  the  nearest,  and  loveliest  thing, 

It  can  twine  with  itself  and  make  closely  its  own. 
Honor's  a  sacred  tie,  the  law  of  kings, 
The  noble  mind's  distinguishing  perfection, 
That  aids  and  strengthens  virtue,  where  it  meets  her, 
And  imitates  her  actions,  where  she  is  not. 
False  honor,  like  a  comet — blazes  broad, 
But  blazes  for  extinction.    Real  merit — 
Shines — like  the  eternal  sun — to  shine  forever. 
She  hath  no  head,  and  cannot  think;  she  hath 
No  heart,  and  cannot  feel;  where'er  she  moves, 
It  is  in  wrath;  or  pauses,  'tis  in  ruin: 
Her j  ra/yers — are  curses;  her  communion — death; 
'Eternity  her  vengeance ;  in  the  blood  of  her  victims, 
Her  red  decalogue — is  written (Bigotry.) 

Of  doing  Injuries  to  Others.  Propitious 
conscience,  thou  equitable  and  ready  judge,  bo 
never  absent  from  me !  Tell  me,  constantly, 
that  I  cannot  do  the  least  injury  to  another. 
without  receiving  the  cotm/er-stroke ;  that  I 
must  necessarily  wound  myself,  when  I 
wound  another. 

NATURE   ALWAYS  TRUE. 

Nature — never  did  betray 
The  heart,  that  loved  her!     'Tis  her  privilege, 
Through  all  the  years  of  this  our  life,  to  lead 
From  joy  Xojoy;  for  she  can  so  inform 
The  mind,  that  is  within  us,  so  impress, 
With  quietness  and  beatify,  and  so  feed 
■With  lofty  thoughts,  that  neither  evil  tongues, 
Rash  judgments,  nor  the  sneers  of  selfish  men, 
Nor  greetings,  where  no  kindness  is,  nor  all 
The  dreary  intercourse  of  common  life 
Shall  e'er  prevail  against  us,  or  disturb 
Our  cheerful  faith,  that  all  that  we  behold 
Is  full  of  blessings.    Therefore,  let  the  moon 
Shine  on  thee  in  thy  solitary  walk; 
And  let  the  misty  mountain  winds  be  free 
To  blow  against  thee  ;  and,  in  after  years, 
When  these  wild  ecstasies  shall  be  matured 
Into  a  sober  pleasure ;  when  thy  mind 
Shall  be  a  mansion  for  all  lovely  forms, 
Thy  memory  be  a  dwelling-place 
For  all  sweet  sounds  and  harmonies,  oh  !  then, 
If  solitude,  or  fear,  or  pain,  or  grief 
Should  be  thy  portion,  with  what  healing  thought* 

der  joy  wilt  thou  remember  me, 
And  these  my  benedictions. 


206 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


508.  The  Passions.    Plato  calls  the  passions, 

the  icings  of  the  soul.  According  to  this  meta- 
phor, a  bird  may  be  considered  as  the  type  of  it ; 
and,  in  applying  this  figure  to  the  several  charac- 
ters of  men,  soine  are  eagles,  others  are  bats  and 
oxols;  a  few  are  swans,  sandmany  are  geese;  no  phce- 
nix  among  them  all.  In  another  place,  he  styles 
the  passions  the  c/ian'o«-horses  of  the  soul;  by 
which  is  implied,  that  though  strong  and  Jleet,  they 
should  be  under  command. 

COMPLAINING  OF   EXTREME   PAIN. 

Search,  there;  nay,  probe  me ;  search  my  wounded 
Pull,— draw  it  out, —  [reins, 

Oli !  I  am  shot .'  A  forked  burning  arrow — 
Stitfcs  across  my  shoulders:  the  sad  venom  flies 
Li'ie  ightning  thro'  my  flesh,  my  blood,  my  marrow. 
I  la  !  what  a  change  of  torments  I  endure ! 
A  bolt  of  ice — runs  hissing — thro'  my  body  : 
Tis  sure — the  arm  of  death;  give  me  a  chair; 
Cover  me,  for  I  freeze,  my  teeth  chatter, 
And  my  knees  knock  together. 

Why  turnesl  thou  from  me  ?  I'm  alone 

Already,  and  to  the  seas  complaining. 

What  can  thy  imag'ry  of  sorroio  mean? 

Secluded  from  the  world,  and  all  its  care, 

Hast  thou  to  grieve,  or  joy  ;  to  hope,  or  fear? 

Why  should  we  anticipate  our  sorrows  ? 

'Tis  like  those,  who  die — for  fear  of  death. 

509.  Curiosity — opens  the  eyes  and  mouth, 
lengthens  the  neck,  bends  the  body  forward  and 
fixes  it  in  one  posture,  with  the  hands  nearly  as 
in  admiration  with  astonishment:  when  it  speaks, 
the  voice,  tone  and  gesture  are  nearly  as  in  inqui- 
ry, which  see  ;  also  Desire,  Attention,  Hope  and 
Perplexity. 

CURIOSITY   AT   FIRST  SEEING   A   FINE   OBJECT. 

Pros.  The  fringed  curtains  of  thine  eye  advance, 
And  say  what  thou  seest  yonder. 

Mir.  What!  is't  a  spirit? 
Lo,  how  it  looks  about!  believe,  sir, 
It  carries  a  brave  form.    But  'tis  a  spirit. 

Pros.  No,  wench,  it  eats  and  sleeps,  and  hath 
As  we  have,  such.  [such  senses 

Mir.  I  might  call  him 
A  thing  divine,  for  nothing  natural, 
I  ever  saw  so  noble. 

510.  Denying — what  is  affirmed,  is  but  an  af- 
firmation of  the  contrary,  and  is  expressed  like 
affirmation,  pushing  the  open  right  hand  from  one, 
and  turning  the  face  another  way.  Denying  a 
favor — see  refusing,  denying  an  accusation. 

"  If  I  in  act  consent,  or  sin  of  thought, 
Be  guilty — of  stealing  that  sweet  breath, 
Which  was  embounded  in  that  beauteous  clay, 
Let  hell — want  pains  enough  to  torture  me! 
I  left  him  well. 

Anecdote.  The  Os-ti-ackBoy.  A  Russian 
was  traveling  from  Tobalsk  to  Reresow;  and, 
on  the  road,  stopped  a  night  at  the  hut  of  an 
Ostiack.  In  the  morning, oil  continuing  his 
journey,  he  found  he  had  lost  his  purse.  The 
son  of  the  Ostiack,  aboutfourteen,  had  found 
the  purse ;  but,  instead  of  taking  it  up,  lie 
went  and  told  h is  ftith er  ,•  who  was  equally 
unwilling  to  louch  it,  and  ordered  the  boy  to 
cover  it  with  some  bushes.  On  the  Russian's 
return,  he  stopped  at  the  same  hut}  the  Os- 
tiack |,;  '  no1  recognize  him.    lie  related  the 


story  of  his  loss ,  and  when  he  had  finished, 
"  You  are  welcome,"  said  he,  "  my  son  here 
will  show  you  where  it  is ;  no  hand  has 
touched  it,  but  the  one  that  covered  it,  that 
you  might  receive  what  you  had  to*/." 

Laconics.  1.  Owe  nothing — to  your  ad- 
vancement, save  your  own  unassisted  exertions, 
if  you  would  retain  what  you  acquire.  2.  When 
passion  rules  us,  it  deprives  of  reason,  suspends 
the  faculty  of  reflection,  blinds  the  judgment,  and 
precipitates  us  into  acts  of  violence,  or  excesses; 
the  consequences  of  which  we  may  forever  deplore. 
3.  With  those  who  are  of  a  gloomy  turn  of  mind, 
be  reserved;  with  the  old,  be  serious;  and  with 
the  young,  be  merry.  4.  In  forming  matrimonial 
alliances,  undue  effort  is  made  to  reconcile  every- 
thing relating  to  fortune,  and  family ;  but  very 
little  is  paid  to  congeniality  of  dispositions,  or  ac- 
cordance of  hearts.  5.  Moral  knowledge  is  to  be 
sought  from  the  Word  of  God  ;  scientific  knowl- 
edge from  the  works  of  God.  6.  By  union — the 
most  trifling  beginnings  thrive  and  increase;  by 
disunion — the  most  flourishing — fall  to  the  ground. 
7.  Is  not  the  union  of  capital,  talent  and  la- 
bor, the  salvation  of  the  world,  temporally  and 
spiritually  ? 

Varieties.  1.  Good  neighborhoods  sup- 
ply all  wants ;  which  may  be  thus  illustra- 
ted. Two  neighbors,  one — blind  and  the  oth- 
er— lame,  were  called  to  a  distant  place;  but 
how  could  they  obey  ?  The  blind  man  car- 
ried the  lame  one,  who  directed  the  carrier 
where  to  go.  Is  not  this  a  good  illustration, 
of  faith  and  charity?  Charity — acts,  and 
faith — guides ,-  i.  e.  the  will — impels,  and 
he  understanding  —  directs.  2.  Superficial 
writers,  like  the  mole,  often  fancy  themselves 
deep,  when  they  are  exceeding  near  the 
surface. 

Trifles  make  the  sum  of  human  things, 
And  half  our  misery  from  our  foibles  springs ; 
Since  life's  best  joys — consist  in  peace  and  ease, 
And  few  can  save  or  serve,  but  all  can  please; 
Oh !  let  the  ungentle  spirit  learn  from  hence, 
A  small  unkindness — is  a  great  offence. 
How  beautiful  is  night ! 
A  dewy  freshness  fills  the  silent  air, 
No  mist  obscures,  nor  cloud,  nor  speck,  nor  stain, 
Breaks  the  serene  of  heaven  : 
In  full-orbed  glory  yonder  moon  divine 
Rolls  through  the  dark  blue  depths. 
Beneath  her  steady  ray, 
The  desert  circle  spreads, 
Like  the  round  ocean,  girdled  with  the  sky ; 
How  beautiful  is  night! 
Who,  at  this  untimely  hour, 
Wanders  o'er  the  desert  sands? 
No  station  is  in  view, 
Nor  palm-grove  islanded  amid  the  waste. 
The  mother  and  her  child  ; 
The  widowed  mother  and  the  fatherless  boy, 
They,  at  this  untimely  nour, 
Wander  o'er  the  desert  sands. 
Delay — leads  to  impotent  and  snail  pae'd  beggary. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


207 


511.  Dismissing — with  approbation,  is  done 
with  a  kind  aspect  and  tone  of  voice ;  the  right 
hand  open  and  palm  upward,  gently  raised  to- 
wards the  person:  with  displeasure — besides  the 
look  and  tone  of  voice  that  suit  displeasure,  the 
hand  is  hastily  thrown  out  towards  the  person  dis- 
missed, the  back  part  of  the  hand  towards  him, 
and  the  countenance,  at  the  same  time,  turned 
away  from  him. 

Chatillon  says  to  king  John : 
Then  take  my  king's  defiance  from  my  mouth, 
The  farthest  limit  of  my  embassy. 

K.  J.  Bear  mine  to  him,  and  so  depart  in  peace : 
Be  thou  as  lightning — in  the  eyes  of  France; 
For,  ere  thou  canst  report,  I  will  be  there, 
The  ihundtr  of  my  cannon  shall  be  heard; 
So,  hence .'    Be  thou  as  the  trumpet  of  our  wrath, 
And  sullen  presage  of  your  own  decay. 
An  honorable  conduct  let  him  have; 
Pembroke,  look  to't :  farewell,  Cha-til-fon.' 

512.  Differ- 
ing— in  sentiment, 
may  be  expressed 
nearly  as  Rf  using, 
which  see  ;  and  A- 
greeing  in  opinion, 
or  being  convinc- 
ed, is  expressed 
nearly  as  granting, 
which  also  see. — 
Distract  ion  —  o  - 
pens  the  eyes  to  a 
frightful  wideness, 
rolls  them  hastily 
and  wildly  from  ob- 
ject to  object,  dis- 
torts every  feature ; 

f Hashes  with  the  teeth;  agitates  all  parts  of  the 
ody;  rolls  in  the  dust;  foams  at  the  mouth;  utters 
hideous  bello wings  —  execrations  —  blasphemies. 
and  all  that  is  fierce  and  outrageous;  rushes  furi- 
ously on  all  who  approach,  and,  if  restrained, 
tears  its  own  flesh  and  destroys  itself.  See  the 
engraving,  indicating  dread,  abhorrence,  &c. 
Dotage,  or  infirm  old  age,  shows  itself  by  talka- 
tiveness ;  boasting  of  the  past;  hollowness  of  the 
cheeks;  dimness  of  sight;  deafness;  tremor  of 
voice ;  the  accents,  through  default  of  the  teeth, 
scarcely  intelligible ;  knees  tottering;  hard  wheez- 
ing; laborious  groaning;  the  body  stooping  under 
the  insupportable  weight  of  yearSj  which  will 
soon  crush  it  into  the  dust,  whence  it  had  its  or- 
igin. 

What  folly  can  be  ranker?  like  our  shadows, 
Our  wishes  lengthen,  as  our  sun  declines. 
No  wish  should  loiter,  then,  this  side  the  grave. 
Our  hearts  should  leave  the  world,  before  the  knell 
Calls  for  our  carcasses  to  mend  the  soil. 
Enough  to  live  in  tempest;  die  in  port. 
Age  should  fly  concourse,  cover  in  retreat, 
Defects  of  judgment,  and  the  will  subdue; 
Walk  thoughtful  on  the  silent,  solemn  shore 
Of  that  vast  ocean  it  must  sail  so  soon ! 

Where — should'st  thou  look  for  kindness? 
When  we  are  sick,  where  can  we  turn  for  succor ; 
When  we  are  wretched,  where  can  we  complain ; 
And  when  the  world — looks  cold  and  surly  on  us, 
Where  can  we  go — to  meet  a  warmer  eye, 
With  such  sure  confidence — as  to  a  mother? 
The  world  may  scowl,  acquaintance  may  forsake, 
Friends  may  neglect,  and  lovers  know  a  change ; 
But,  when  a  mother — doth  forsake  her  child, 
Men  lift  their  hands,  and  cry,  "A  prodigy.'" 
Gluttons  are  never  generous. 


Varieties.  1.  The  most  disgusting  vices — are 
often  concealed  under  the  fairest  exterior.  2.  A 
knowledge  of  the  human  heart,  is,  by  no  means, 
detrimental  to  the  love  of  all  mankind.  3.  One 
person  cannot  render  another — indispensable ;  nor 
can  one  supply  the  place  of  another.  4.  The  least 
failing  of  an  individual  often  incites  a  great  out- 
cry; his  character  is  at  once  darkened,  trampled 
on,  destroyed ;  but  treat  that  person  in  the  right 
way,  and  you  will  be  astonished  at  what  he  was 
able  and  willing  to  perform.  5.  He  who  cannot 
listen,  can  perform  nothing,  that  deserves  the  name 
of  wisdom  and  justice.  6.  He  had  respectable 
talents  and  connections ;  but  was  formidable  to  the 
people,  from  his  want  of  principle,  and  his  readi- 
ness to  truckle  to  men  in  power.  7.  Every  vicious 
act,  weakens  a  right  judgment,  and  defiles  the  life. 
These,  and  a  thousand  mixed  emotions  more, 
From  ever  changing  views  of  good  and  ill, 
Formed  infinitely  various,  vex  the  mind 
With  endless  storms. 

For  my  past  crimes — my  forfeit  life  receive : 
No  pity  for  my  sufferings — here  I  crave, 
And  only  hope  forgiveness — in  the  grave. 
For  soon,  the  winter  of  the  year, 
And  age,  life's  winter,  will  appear; 
At  this,  thy  living  bloom — must  fade, 
As  that — will  strip  the  verdant  shade. 
True  love's  the  gift,  that  God  has  given, 
To  man  alone,  beneath  the  heaven  ; 
It  is  the  secret  sympathy, 
The  silver  link,  the  silken  tie, 

Which,  HEART  tO  HEART,  and,  MIND  to  MIND, 

In  body,  and  in  soul  can  bind. 
Anecdote.  Sto?-is-laus,  king  of  Poland, 
was  driven  from  his  dominion  by  Charles  XII. 
of  Sweden ;  he  took  refuge  in  Paris,  where  he 
was  supported  at  the  expense  of  the  court  of 
France.  Some  person  complained  to  the  duke 
of  Orleans,  (then  regent,)  of  the  great  expense 
of  the  exiled  monarch,  and  wished  that  he 
should  be  desired  to  leave.  The  duke  nobly- 
replied:  "Sir,  France  has  ever  been,  and  I 
trust  ever  will  be,  the  refuge  of  unfortunate 
princes;  and  I  shall  not  permit  it  to  be  vio- 
lated, when  so  excellent  a  prince  as  the  king 
of  Poland  comes  to  claim  it." 

The  winds 
And  rolling  waves,  the  sun's  unwearied  course, 
The  elements — and  seasons,  all  declare — 
For  what — the  eternal  Maker — has  ordained 
The  powers  of  man;  we  feel,  within  ourselves, 
His  energy  divine.     He  tells  the  heart, 
He  meant,  he  made  us — to  behold,  and  love, 
What  HE  beholds  and  loves,  the  general  orb 
Of  life — and  being;  to  be  great — like  him, 
Beneficent,  and  active.    Thus,  the  men, 
Whom  nature's  works  can  charm,  with  God  himself 
Hold  converse ;  grow  familiar,  day  by  day, 
With  his  conceptions;  act  upon  his  plan, 
And  form  to  his — the  relish  of  their  souls. 
An  honest  soul — is  like  a  ship  at  sea, 
That  sleeps  at  anchor — upon  the  ocean's  calm; 
But,  when  it  rages,  and  the  wind  blows  high, 
She  cuts  her  way  with  skill— and  majesty. 


208 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


513.  Exhorting,  or  encouraging,  is  earnest 
persuasion,  attended  with  confidence  of  success; 
the  voice  has  the  softness  of  love,  intermixed  with 
the  firmness  of  courage  ;  the  arms  are  sometimes 
spread,  with  the  hands  open,  as  entreating ;  occa- 
sionally the  right  hand  is  lifted  up,   and  struck 
rapidly  down,  as  enforcing  what  is  said.    In  a 
general,  at  the  head  his  army,  it  requires  a  kind, 
complacent  look,  unless  matters  of  offence  have 
passed,  as  neglect  of  duty,  &c. 
But  wherefore  do  you  droop  ?  Why  look  you  sad  ? 
Be  great  in  act,  as  you  have  been  in  thought  : 
Let  not  the  world— see  fear  and  sad  distrust, 
Govern  the  motive  of  a  kingly  eye  ; 
Be  stirring  with  the  time;  be  Jire— with  fire  ; 
Threaten  the  threatener,  outface  the  brow 
Of  bragging  horror ;  so,  shall  inferior  eyes, 
That  borrow  their  behavior  from  the  great, 
Grow  gTeat  by  your  example  ;  and  put  on 
The  dauntless  spirit  of  resolution  ; 
Show  boldness,  and  aspiring  confidence. 
What !  shall  they  seek  the  lion  in  his  den, 
And  fright  him  there,  and  make  himtremble  there  1 
Oh,  let  it  not  be  said !     Forage,  and  run, 
To  meet  displeasure  farther  from  the  doors, 
And  grapple  with  him,  ere  he  come  so  nigh. 

514:.  Fainting — produces  a  sudden  relaxation 
of  all  that  holds  the  human  frame  together — every 
sinew  and  ligament  unstrung  ;  the  color  flies  from 
the  vermillion  cheek,  the  sparkling  eye  grows 
dim ;  down  ihe  body  drops,  as  helpless  and  sense- 
less as  a  mass  of  clay,  to  which  it  seems  hasten- 
ing to  resolve  itself. 

And  lo  1  sad  partner  of  the  genial  care, 

WTeary  and  faint — I  drive  my  goats  afar. 
Weariness — 

Can  snore  upon  lhe  flint,  when  rusty  sloth, 

Finds  the  downy  pillow — hard. 

Anecdote.  A  poor  priest  came  one  day, 
to  Louis  XI.  of  France,  when  this  monarch 
was  at  his  devotions,  in  the  church,  and  told 
him,  the  bailiffs  were  about  to  arrest  him  for 
a  sum,  he  was  unable  to  pay.  The  king  or- 
dered him  the  money;  saying — '-'You  have 
chosen  your  time  to  address  me  very  luckily. 
It  is  but  just  that  I  should  show  some  com- 
passion to  the  distressed, when  I  have  been  en- 
treating God  to  have  compassion  on  myself.'''' 

ABDRESSED   TO   AN    OFFICER   IN    THE   ARMY. 

Oh,  that  the  muse  might  call,  without  offence, 
The  gallant  soldier  back  to  his  good  sense, 
His  temp'ral  field  so  cautious  not  to  lose  ; 
So  careless  quite  of  his  eternal  foes. 
Soldier!  so  tender  of  thy  prince's  fame, 
Why  so  profuse  of  a  superior  name  ? 
For  the  king's  sake,  the  brunt  of  battles  bear, 
But—  for  the  King  of  king's  sake — do  not  swear. 
How  many  bright  [high! 

And  splendent  lamps  shine  in  heaven's  temple 
Day  hath  his  golden  sun,  her  moon  the  night, 

Her  fix'd  and  wand'ring  stars  the  azure  sky; 
Borfram'd  all  by  their  Creator's  might,  [die. 

That  still  they  live  and  shine,  and  ne'er  shall 
There  is  a  lust  in  man — no  power  can  tame, 
Of  loudly  publishing — his  neighbor'1  s  shame  ; 
On  fugWs  wings — immortal  scandals  fly, 
Whilst  virtuous  actions  are  but  born— to  die. 


Extremes.  The  sublime  of  nature  is  the 
sky,  sun,  moon,  stars,  &c.  The  profound  of 
nature,  is,  gold,  pearls,  precious  stones,  and 
the  treasures  of  the  deep,  which  are  inestima- 
ble as  unknown.  But  all  that  lies  between 
these,  as  corn,  flowers,  fruits,  animals,  and 
things  for  the  mere  use  of  man,  are  of  mean 
price,  and  so  common,  as  not  to  be  greatly 
esteemed  by  the  curious;  it  being  certain, 
that  any  thing  of  which  we  know  the  true  use 
cannot  be  invaluable :  which  affords  a  solu- 
tion, why  common  sense  hath  either  been  to- 
tally despised,  or  held  in  small  repute,  by  the 
greatest  modern  critics  and  authors. 

"Varieties.    1.  The  arts  are  divided  into  the 
useful,  and  the  polite,  the  fine,  and  the  elegant ; 
some  are  for  use,  and  others  for  pleasure ;  Elocu- 
tion is  of  a  mixed  nature,  in  which  use  and  beauty 
are  of  nearly  co-equal  influence  ;  manner  being 
as  important  as  matter,  or  more  so.    2.  Our  gov- 
ernment, is  a  government  of  laws,  not  of  men; 
but  it  will  lose  this  character,  if  the  laws  furnish 
no  remedy  for  the  violation  of  vested  rights.    3. 
Nature  has  given  us  two  eyes  and  two  ears,  and 
but  one  tongue ;  that  we  should  see  and  hear  more 
than  we  speak.    4.  The  weariness  of  study  is  re- 
moved by  loving  it,  and  valuing  the  results  for 
their  uses.      5.  The  three   kingdoms  of  nature, 
are  the  Mineral,  the  Vegetable,  and  the  Animal: 
minerals  are  destitute  of  organization  and  life; 
vegetables,  or  plants,  are  endowed  with  organiza- 
tion and  life,  but  are  destitute  of  voluntary  motion 
and  sense  ;  while  animals — possess  them  all. 
As  some  lone  miser,  visiting  his  store,        [it  o'er, 
Bends  o'er  his  treasures,  and  counts  and  recounts 
Hoards  after  hoards — his  rising  raptures  fill, 
Yet  still — he  sighs  ;  for  hoards  are  wanting  still : 
Thus,  to  my  breast,  alternate  passions  rise, 
Pleased  with  each  bliss,  th't  Heaven  to  us  supplies; 
Yet  oft  a  sigh  prevails,  and  tears  will  fall, 
To  see  the  hoard  of  human  bliss — so  small. 
The  flighty  purpose — is  never  undertook, 
Unless  the  deed  go  with  it ;  from  this  moment, 
The  firstlings  of  my  heart,  shall  be 
The  firstlings  of  my  head  ;  and  even  now,   {clone. 
To  crown  my  thoughts  with  acts,  be  it  thought  and 
It  is  jealousy's  peculiar  nature, 
To  swell  small  things  to  great ;  nay.  out  of  nought 
To  conjure  much  ;  and  then  to  lose  its  reason, 
Amid  the  hideous  phantoms — it  has  found. 
If  any  hi^re  chance  to  behold  himself, 
Let  him  not  dare  to  challenge  me  of  wrong; 
For.  if  he  shame  to  have  his  follies  known, 
First  he  should  shame  to  act  'em :  my  strict  hand 
Was  made  to  seize  on  vice,  and  with  a  gripe, 
Squeeze  out  the  humor  of  such  spongy  souls, 
As  lick  up  every  idle  vanity. 
The  crow  doth  sing  as  sweetly  as  the  lark, 
When  neither  is  attended ;  and,  I  think, 
The  nightingale,  if  she  should  sing  by  day, 
When  every  goose  is  cackling,  would  be  thought 
No  better  a  musician  than  the  wren. 
How  many  things  by  season,  season'd  are 
To  their  right  praise  and  true  perfection ! 
How  vain  all  outward  effort  to  supply 
The  soul  with  joy!  the  noontide  sun  is  dark, 
And  music — discord,  when  the  heart  is  low. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


209 


515.  Fatigue — from  severe  or  hard  labor, 
gives  a  general  languor  to  the  body ;  the  counte- 
nance is  dejected,  the  arms  hang  listless;  the 
body,  (if  not  sitting,  or  lying  along,)  stoops  as  in 
old  age;  the  legs,  if  walking,  drag  heavily  along, 
an  1  seem,  at  every  step,  to  bend  under  the  weight 
Of  the  body;  the  voice  is  weak,  and  hardly  arti- 
culate enough  to  be  understood. 

1  see  a  man's  life  is  a  tedious  one : 
I've  tir'd  myself,  and  for  two  nights,  together — 
Have  made  the  ground  my  bed.    I  should  be  sick, 
But  that  my  resolution  helps  me.    Milford — 
When  from  the  mo unta in-top  Pisanio  show'd  thee, 
Thou  wast  within  my  ken.    Ah  me!  I  think 
Foundations — fly  the  vjretched  ;  such,  I  mean, 
Where  they  should  be  relieved. 

516.  Ok.-vvitv. — seriousness,  as  when  the  mind 
is  fixed,  or  deliberating  on  some  important  subject, 

.  the  countenance,  and  gives  it  an  air  of 
melancholy;  the  eye-brows  are  lowered,  the  eyes 
cast  downwards,  and  partially  closed,  or  raised  to 
heaven  :  the  mouth  shut,  the   lips  composed,  and 
sometimes  a  little  contracted  :  the  postures  of  the 
bodv  and  limbs  composed,  and  without  much  mo- 
tion ;  the  speech,  if  any,  slow  and  solemn,  and  the 
voice  without  much  variety. 
Fathers!  we  once  again  are  met  in  council: 
Cesar's  approach  hath  summoned  us  together, 
And  Rome — attends  her  fate — from  our  resolves. 
How  shall  we  treat  this  bold,  aspiring  man'! 
Success — still  follows  him,  and  backs  his  crimes  : 
Pharsalia — gave  him  Rome.   Egypt — has  since 
Received  his  yoke,  and  the  whole  Kile  is  Cesar's. 
Why  should  I  mention  Jitba's  overthrow, 
Or  Scipio's  death?     Kumidia's  burning  sands 
Still  smoke  with  blood; — 'tis  time  we  should  decree 
What  course  to  take;  our  foe  advances  on  us, 
And  envies  us  even  Lybia's  sultry  deserts.       [fLx'd 
Fathers,  pronounce  your  thoughts;   are  they  still 
To  hold  it  out,  anOi  fight  it  to  the  last? 
Or.  are  your  hearts  subdued  at  length,  and  wrought, 
By  lime  and  ill  success,  to  a  submission  ?    Sempro- 
nious — speak. 

Anecdote.  How  to  prize  good  Fortune. 
In  the  year  preceding  the  French  revolution, 
a  servant  girl,  in  Paris,  drew  a  prize  of 'fifteen 
hundred  pounds.  She  immediately  called  on 
the  parish  priest,  and  generously  put  two 
hundred  louisd'ors  into  his  hands,  for  the 
relief  of  the  most  indigent  and  industrious 
poor  in  the  district;  accompanying  the  dona- 
tion with  this  admirable  and  just  observation, 
'•  Fortune  could  only  have  been  kind  to  me, 
in  order  that  /might  be  kind  to  others." 

True  Eloquence,  is  good  sense,  deliver- 
ed in  a  natural  and  unaffected  way,  without 
the  artificial  ornament  of  tropes  and  figures. 
Our  common  eloquence  is  usually  a  cheat 
upon  the  understanding ;  it  deceives  us  with 
appearances,  instead  of  things,  and  makes 
us  think  we  see  reason,  whilst  it  is  only  tick- 
ling our  sense. 
Essential  honor  must  be  in  a  friend, 

Not  such  as  every  breath  fans  to  and  fro; 
But  born  within,  is  its  own  judge  and  end,  [know. 

And  dares  not  sin.  though  sure  that  none  should 
Where  friendship's  spoke,  honesty's  understood; 
For  none  can  be  a  friend  that  is  not  good. 

27  s2 


Laconics.  1.  We  too  often  form  hasty  opin- 
ions, from  external  appearances,  assumed  merely 
for  deception,  by  the  wolf  in  sheep,s  clothing.  2. 
While  prosperity  gilds  your  days,  you  may  reckon 
many  friends ;  but,  if  the  clouds  of  adversity  de- 
scend upon  you,  behold,  they  fee  away.  3.  Coiv- 
ards  boast  of  their  fancied  prowess,  and  assume 
an  appearance  of  courage,  which  they  do  not  pos- 
sess. 4.  The  life  of  the  true  christian,  is  not  one 
of  melancholy,  and  gloominess  ;  for  he  only  resigns 
the  pleasure  of  sin,  to  enjoy  the  pleasure  of  holi- 
ness. 5.  The  blessings  of  peace  cannot  be  too 
highly  prized,  nor  the  horrors  of  war  too  earnestly 
deprecated  ;  unless  the  former  is  obtained,  and  the 
latter — averted,  by  a  sacrifice  of  principle.  6.  The 
conqueror  is  regarded  with  awe,  and  the  learned 
man  commands  our  esteem;  but  the  good  man  alone 
is  beloved. 
Thy  words — had  such  a  melting  flow, 

And  spoke  of  truth,  so  sweetly  well, 
They  dropp'd — like  heaven's  serenest  snow, 

And  all  was  brightness — where  they  fell. 
Can  gold — gain  friendship  1    Impudence  of  hope  ! 
As  well  mere,  man — an  angel  might  beget ; 
Love,  and  love  only,  is  the  loan  for  love. 
Lorenzo  !  pride  repress  ;  nor  hope  to  find 
A  friend,  hut  who  has  found  a  friend  in  thee. 
All — like  the  purchase  ;  feiv — the  price  will  pay ; 
And  this — makes  friends — such  miracles  below. 

Honor  and  Virtue.  Honor  is  unstable, 
and  seldom  the  same;  for  she  feeds  upon 
opinion,  and  is  as  fickle  as  her  food.  She 
builds  a  lofty  structure  on  the  sandy  founda- 
tion of  the  esteem  of  those  who  are  of  all  be- 
ings the  most  subject  to  change.  But  virtue 
is  uniform  and  fixed,  because  she  looks  for 
approbation  only  from  Him,  who  is  the  same 
yesterday — to-day — and  forever.  Honor  is 
the  most  capricious  in  her  rewards.  She  feeds 
us  with  air,  and  often  pulls  down  our  house, 
to  build  our  monument.  She  is  contracted 
in  her  views,  inasmuch  as  her  hopes  are  root- 
ed in  earth,  bounded  by  time,  and  terminated 
by  death.  But  virtue  is  enlarged  and  infinite 
in  her  hopes,  inasmuch  as  they  extend  be- 
yond present  things,  even  to  eternal ;  this  is 
their  proper  sphere,  and  they  will  cease  only 
in  the  reality  of  deathless  enjoyment.  In  the 
storms,  and  in  the  tempests  of  life,  honor  is 
not  to  be  depended  on,  because  she  herself 
partakes  of  the  tumult ;  she  also  is  buffeted 
by  the  wave,  and  bome  along  by  the  whirl- 
wind. But  virtue  is  above  the  storm,  and  has 
an  anchor  sure  and  steadfast,  because  it  is  cast 
into  heaven.  The  noble  Brutus  worshiped 
honor,  and  in  his  zeal  mistook  Iter  for  virtue. 
In  the  day  of  trial  he  found  her  a  shadow  and 
a  name.  But  no  man  can  purchase  his  virtue 
too  dear;  for  it  is  the  only  thins  whose  value 
must  ever  increase  with  the  price  it  has  cost 
us.  Our  integrity  is  never  worth  so  much  as 
when  we  have  parted  with  our  all  to  keep  it. 
Similitudes — are  like  songs  in  love; 
They  much  describe,  tho'  nothing  prove. 


210 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


517.  Confidence,  Courage,  Boasting  —  is 
hope  elated,  security  of  success  in  obtaining  its 
object;  and  courage  is  the  contempt  of  any  un- 
avoidable danger  in  the  execution  of  what  is  re- 
solved upon :  in  both,  the  head  and  whole  body 
are  erected  rather  gracefully,  the  breast  projec- 
ted, the  countenance  clear  and  open,  the  accents 
strong,  round,  full-mouthed,  and  not  too  rapid ; 
the  voice  firm  and  even.  Boasting,  —  exagger- 
ates these  appearances  by  loudness,  blustering 
and  railing,  what  is  appropriately  called  swag- 
gering; the  eye-brows  drawn  down,  the  face 
red  and  bloated,  mouth  pouts,  arms  placed  a- 
kimbo,  foot  stamped  on  the  ground,  large  strides 
in  walking,  voice  hollow,  thundering,  swelling 
into  bombast;  head  often  menacingly,  right  fists 
clenched,  and  sometimes  brandished  at  the  per- 
son threatened. 

Base  men,  that  use  them,  to  so  base  effect  : 
But  truer  stars — did  govern  Proteus'  birth : 
His  u<ords — are  bonds;  his  oaths — are  oracles; 
His  love — sincere;  his  thoughts — immaculate: 
His  tears — pure  messengers — sent  from  his  heart, 
His  heart — as  far  from  fraud  as  heaven  from  earth. 

518.  Giving  or  Granting, — when  done  with 
an  unreserved  good  will,  is  accompanied  with  a 
benevolent  aspect,  and  kind  tone  of  voice :  the 
right  hand  open,  with  the  palm  upward,  extend- 
ing toward  the  person  favored,  as  if  giving 
what  he  asks ;  the  head  at  the  same  time  inclin- 
ing forward,  as  indicating  a  benevolent  dispo- 
sition and  entire  consent:  all  indicative  of  how 
heartily  the  favor  is  granted,  and  the  benefac- 
tors joy  in  conferring  it. 

giving  a  daughter  in  marriage. 
If  I  have  too  severely  punished  you, 
Your  compensation  makes  amends;  for  I 
Have  given  you  here  a  thread  of  mine  own  life, 
Ox  that  for  whichlKue,  whom  once  again 
I  tender  to  thy  hand  ;  all  thy  vexations 
Were  but  my  trials  of  thy  love,  and  thou 
Hast  strangely  stood  the  test.     Here,  afore  heav'n, 
I  ratify  this  my  rich  gift:  Ferdinand, 
Do  not  smile  at  me,  that  I  boast  her  off; 
For  thou  wilt  find  she  will  outstrip  all  praise, 
And  make  it  halt  behind  her. 
Then — as  my  gift — and  thine  own  acquisition — 
Worthily  purchas'd — take — my  daughter. 

Impatience.  In  those  evils  which  are  al- 
lotted to  us  by  Providence,  such  as  deformity, 
privation  of  the  senses,  or  old  age,  it  is  al- 
ways to  be  remembered,  that  impatience  can 
have  no  present  effect,  but  to  deprive  us  of 
the  consolations  which  our  condition  admits, 
by  driving  away  from  us  those  by  whose  con- 
versation or  advice  we  might  be  amused  or 
helped ;  and  that,  with  regard  to  futurity,  it 
is  yet  less  to  be  justified,  since,  without  les- 
sening the  pain,  it  cuts  off  the  hope  of  that 
reward,  which  He,  by  whom  it  is  inflicted, 
will  confer  upon  those  who  bear  it  well. 

Anecdote.  Clemency.  A!pho?isus,  king 
of  Naples  and  Sicily,  so  celebrated  in  history 
for  his  clemency,  was  once  asked,  why  he 
was  so  favorable  to  all  men;  even  to  those 
most  notoriously  wicked?  He  replied,  "  Be- 
cause good  men  are  won  by  Justice;  the  bad, 
by  cleme/icy."  Some  of  his  ministers  corn- 
plained  to  him,  on  another  occasion,  of  this 
clemency  ;  when  he  exclaimed, "  Would  you 


have  lions  and  tigers  to  rule  over  you] 
Know  you  not  that  cruelty — is  the  attribute 
of  wild  beasts  ;  clemency — that  of  man  ? 

"Varieties.  1.  There  is  no  person  so  lit- 
tle, but  the  greatest  may  sometimes  need  his 
assistance :  hence,  we  should  all  exercise 
clemency,  when  there  is  an  opportunity,  to- 
wards those  in  our  power.  This  is  illustra- 
ted by  the  fable  of  the  mouse  and  the  lion: 
when  the  lion  became  entangled  in  the  toils 
of  the  hunter,  he  was  released  by  the  mouse, 
which  gnawed  asunder  the  cords  of  the  net 
in  consideration  of  having  been  spared  his 
own  life,  by  the  royal  beast,  on  a  former  oc- 
casion. 2.  It  is  a  universal  principle — that 
an  essence  cannot  exist  out  of  its  form;  nor 
be  perceived  out  of  its  form;  nor  can  the 
quality  of  a  form  be  perceived,  till  the  form 
itself  is  an  object  of  thought :  hence,  if  an 
essence  does  not  present  itself  in  form,  so 
that  its  form  can  be  seen  in  thought,  it  is  to- 
tally impossible  to  know  anything  about,  or 
be  affected  with,  that  essence.  3.  The  truths 
of  religion,  and  the  truths  of  science,  are  of 
different  orders  ;  though  sometimes  blended, 
yet  never  actually  confounded :  theology — is 
the  sun,  and  science — the  moon — to  reflect 
its  light  and  glory. 

My  Mother.  Alas,  how  little  do  we  ap- 
preciate a  mother's  tenderness  while  living  ! 
How  heedless,  are  we,  in  youth,  of  all  her 
anxieties  and  kindness!  But  when  she  is 
dead  and  gone;  when  the  cares  and  coldness 
of  the  world  come  withering  to  our  hearts  ; 
when  we  experience  how  hard  it  is  to  find 
true  sympathy,  how  few  love  us  for  ourselves, 
how  few  will  befriend  us  in  our  misfortunes; 
then  it  is,  that  we  think  of  the  mother  we 
have  lost. 

The  love  of  praise,  howe'er  conceal'd  by  art, 
Reigns — more  or  less,  and  glows — in  every  heart: 
The  proud — to  gain  it,  toils  on  toils  endure, 
The  modest — shun  it — but  to  make  it  sure. 

Think  not  the  good, 
The  gentle  deeds  of  mercy — thou  hast  done, 
Shall  die  forgotten  all;  the  poor,  the  prisoner, 
The  fatherless,  the  friendless,  and  the  widow, 
Who  daily — own  the  bounty  of  thy  hand, 
Shall  cry  to  heaven,  and  pull  a  blessing  on  thee. 
Tir'd  Nature's  sweet  restorer,  balmy  Sleep ! 
He,  like  the  world,  his  ready  visits  pays 
Where  Fortune  smiles  ;  the  wretched  he  forsakes; 
Sipift  on  his  downy  pinions,  flies  from  grief. 
In  Nature  there's  no  blemish,  but  the  mind  ; 
None  can  be  call'd  deformed,  but  the  unkind: 
Virtue  is  beauty ;  but  the  beauteous-evil 
Are  empty  trunks,  o'erflourish'd  by  the  devil. 
Can  chance  of  seeing  first,  thy  title  prove  ? 
And  knovv'st  thou  not,  no  law  is  made  for  love? 
Law  is  io  things,  which  to  free  choice  relate; 
Love  is  not  in  our  choice,  but  in  our  fate : 
Laws  are  but  positive;  love's  power,  we  see, 
Is  Nature's  sanction,  and  her  first  degree. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


211 


520.  Grati- 
tude— puts  on  ail 
aspect  full  of  com- 
plaoem 

Love;}  il  thi  ob- 
jectofii  b 

n  ally   su- 
perior. 1 1 

es  much  submis- 
sion: the  right 
tiand  is  open  with 
the  finget 

and  press', I  upon 
tiie  breast  just  o- 
ver  the  hi 
pn —  3,  very  ap- 
propriately, a  sin- 
cere ami  hearty  sensibility  of  obligation.  The 
engraving  represents  the  deep-felt  emotions  of  a 
noble  mind. 

O  gTeat  Sciolto !  O  my  more  than  father! 
Let  me  no1  live,  but  at  thy  very  name, 
My  eag,r  heart  springs  up.  and  leaps  with  joy. 
When  I   : >:  :-  l  the  vast,  vast  debt  I  owe  thee, 
(Forget — 1   ii  '■  s  impossible,)  then  let  me 
Forget  the  use  and  privilege  of  reason — 
Be  banish'//  from  the  commerce  of  mankind, 
To  wander  ftl  the  desert,  among  brutes, 
To  bear  the  various  fury  of  the  seasons, 
The  midnight  cold,  and  the  noontide  scorching  heat, 
To  be  the  scorn — of  earth,  and  curse  of  henven. 

531 .  A  man  is  never  the  less  an  artist,  for 
not  having  his  tools  about  him ;  or  a  musician, 
because  he  wants  his  fiddle :  nor  is  he  the  less 
brave,  because  his  hands  are  bound,  or  the 
worse  pilot,  for  being  upon  dry  ground.  If  I 
only  have  will  to  be  grateful,  I  am  so.  As 
gratitude  is  a  necessary,  and  a  glorious,  so 
also  is  it  an  obvious,  a  cheap,  and  an  easy  vir- 
tue :  so  obvious,  that  wherever  there  is  life, 
there  is  place  for  it :  so  cheap,  that  the  covetous 
man  may  be  gratified  without  expense :  and 
so  easy,  that  the  sluggard  may  be  so  likewise 
without  labor. 

To  the  generous  mind, 
The  heaviest  debt — is  that  of  gratitude, 
When  ;tis  not  in  our  power  to  repay  it. 
Tis  the  Creator's  primary  great  law, 
That  links  the  chain  of  beings  to  each  other, 
Joining  the  greater  to  the  lesser  nature. 
When  gratitude — o'erflows  the  swelling  heart, 
And  breathes  in  free  and  uncorrupted  praise 
For  benefits  received,  propitious  heaven 
Takes  such  acknowledgments  as  fragrant  incense, 
And  doubles  all  its  blessings. 

Anecdote.  The  bill  of  indictment,  pre- 
ferred against  John  Bunyan,  author  of  Pil- 
grim's Progress,  &c,  was  as  follows:  "John 
Bunyan  hath  devilishly  and  perniciously  ab- 
stained from  coming  to  church,to  hear  divine 
service,  and  is  a  common  upholder  of  several 
unlawful  meetings  and  conventicles,  to  the 
disturbance  and  distraction  of  the  good  sub- 
jects of  this  kingdom,  contrary  to  the  laws  of 
our  sovereign  lord  the  king,"  &c,  was  con- 
victed, and  imprisoned  twelve  years  and  six 
months. 

And  loo  fond  of  the  right,  to  pursue  the  expedient. 


Views  of  Truth.  We  see  truths  through 
the  medium  of  our  own  minds,  us  we  see  objects 
around  us  thro'  the  atmosphere ;  and,  of  course, 
we  see  them  not  as  they  are  in  themselves,  but  as 
they  are  modified  by  the  quality  of  the  m 
thro'  which  we  view  them ;  and,  as  the  minds  of 
all  are  different,  we  must  all  have  different  views 
of  any  particular  truth;  which  is  the  reason,  that 
differences  of  opinion  exist,  and  always  will  exist: 
hence,  it  is  no  argument  against  truth,  thai  men 
have  different  vieivs  of  it;  and  because  they  must 
have  different  views,  it  is  no  reason  why  they 
should  quarrel  about  their  opinions ;  for  goo 
and  not  matters  of  opinion,  are  the  foi/c//-stone  of 
fellowship.  Thus  it  is.  that  the  all  of  religion  re- 
lates to  life,  and  the  life  of  religion  is  to  do  good, 
from  a  love  of  doing  good.  While  we  ag 
are  united  in  doing  good,  we  should  not  fight 
among  ourselves,  about  mere  matters  of  opinion; 
still,  we  must  not  be  indifferent  about  them;  for 
truth  is  necessary  to  give  form  to  goodness:  and 
every  good  person  will  naturally  desire  to  know 
the  truth,  that  he  may  regulate  his  conduct  by  it; 
and  thus,  acquire  the  greatest  and  highest  degree  of 
goodness. 

Varieties.    1.  The  young — are  slaves  to 
novelty  ;  the  old — to  custom.    2.  The  volume 
of  nature,  is  the  book  of  knowledge,  and  he 
becomes  the  ivisest,  who  makes  the  best  se- 
lections, and  uses  them  properly.    The  great- 
est friend  of  truth — is  time  ,•  her  greatest  ene- 
my— prejudice  ,•  and  her  constant  companion 
is  humility.    4.  The  best  means  of  establish- 
ing a  high  reputation  is — to  speak  well,  and 
act  better.    5.  Be  studious,  and  you  will  be 
learned;  be  industrious  and  frugal,  and  you 
will  be  rich;  be  sober  and  temperate,  and  you 
will  be  healthy  ;  be  virtuous,  and  you  will  be 
happy.    6.  He,  who  governs  his  passions, 
does  more  than  he,  who  commands  arm  ies. 
Socrates,  being  one  day  offended  with  his  ser- 
vant, said,  "  I  would  beat  you,  if  I  were  not 
angry.    7.  The  best  mode  of  gaining  a  high 
reputation,  is — to  be — what  you  appear  to  be. 
Like  birds,  whose  beauties  languish,  half  conceal' d, 
Till,  mounted  on  the  wing,  their  glossy  plumes, 
Expanded,  shine  with  azure,  green,  and  gold ; 
How  blessings  brighten — as  they  take  their  flight! 
Veep — as  the  murmurs  of  the  falling  floods  ; 
Sweet — as  the  warbles  of  the  vocal  woods: 
The  list'ning  passions  hear,  and  sink,  and  rise, 
As  the  rich  harmony,  or  svjells,  or  dies  ! 
The  pulse  of  avarice— forgets  to  move ; 
A  purer  rapture — fills  the  breast  of  love; 
Devotion — lifts  to  heav'n  a  holier  eye, 
And  bleeding  pity— heaves  a  softer  sigh. 
I,  solitary,  court 
The  inspiring  breeze,  and  meditate  upon  the  book 
Of  nature,  ever  open;  aiming  thence, 
Warm  from  the  heart,  to  learn  the  moral  song. 
A  dark,  cold  calm,  which  nothing  now  can  break, 
Or  warm,  or  brighten ;— like  that  Syrian  lake, 
Upon  whose  surface,  mom  and  summer  shed 
Their  smiles  in  vain;  for  all  beneath  is  dead! 
All  is  silent — 'twas  my  fancy! 
Still— S3  the  breathless  interval— between  (he  flash  and  thunder. 


212 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


532.  To  act  a  Passion  properly,  we  must 
never  attempt  it,  until  the  imagination  has 
conceived  clearly  and  distinctly,  a  strong  and 
vivid  idea  of  it,  and  we  feel  its  influence  in  our 
inmost  soul ;  then,  the  form,  or  image  of  that 
idea,  will  be  impressed  on  the  appropriate 
muscles  of  the  face,  and  communicate,  in- 
stantly, the  same  impressions  to  the  muscles 
of  the  body ,-  which,  whether  braced,  or  re- 
laxed, (the  idea  being  either  active  or  passive,) 
by  impelling,  or  retarding  the  flow  of  the 
affection,  will  transmit  their  own  sensation  to 
the  voice,  and  rightly  dispose  the  proper  ges- 
ture. 

COURAGE,  DISTRACTION. 

A  generous/*?/?,  the  vet'ran  hardy  gleanings 

Of  many  a  hapless  fight,  with 

Heroic  fire,  inspirited  each  other, 

Resolved  on  death ;  disdaining  to  survive 

Their  dearest  country.     "If  we  fall,"  I  cried, 

"Let  us  not  tamely  fall,  like  passive  cowards ; 

JVo  ;  let  us  live,  or  let  us  die  like  men  ; 

Come  on,  my  friends,  to  Alfred  we  will  cut 

Our  glorious  way  ;  or,  as  we  nobly  perish, 

Will  offer,  to  the  genius  of  our  country, 

Whole  hecatombs  of  Danes." 

As  if  one  soul  had  moved  them  all, 

Around  their  heads,  they  flashed  [Danes  ! 

Their    flaming  falchions — "  Lead   us    to    those 

Our  country!  Vengeance  !"  was  the  gen'ral  cry ! 

523.  Passions.  1.  The  passions  and  desires, 
like  the  two  twists  of  a  rope,  mutually  mix 
one  with  the  other,  and  twine  inextricably 
round  the  heart;  producing  good,  if  mode- 
rately indulged ;  but  certain  destruction,  if 
suffered  to  become  inordinate.  2.  Passion — 
is  the  great  mover  and  spring  of  the  soul : 
when  men's  passions  are  strongest,  they  may 
have  great  and  noble  effects;  but  they  are 
then  also,  apt  to  lead  to  the  greatest  evils. 

Anecdote.    Pungent  Preaching.    An  old 
man  being  asked  his  opinion  of  a  certain  ser- 
mon, replied,  "  I  liked  it  very  well,  except 
that  there  was  no  pinch  to  it.    I  always  like 
to  have  a  pinch  to  every  sermon." 
Want  is  a  bitter  and  a  hateful  good, 
Because  its  virtues  are  not  understood. 
Yet  many  things,  impossible  to  thought, 
Have  been,  by  need,  to  full  perfection  brought. 
The  daring  of  the  soul  proceeds  from  thence, 
Sharpness  of  wit,  and  active  diligence  ; 
Prudence  at  once,  and  fortitude  it  gives, 
And,  if  in  patience  taken,  mends  our  lives  ; 
For  even  that  indigence  which  brings  me  low, 
Makes  me  myself,  and  him  above,  to  know; 
A  good  which  none  would  challenge,  few  would 
A  fair  possession, which  mankind  refuse,  [choose, 
If  we  from  wealth  to  poverty  descend, 
Want  gives  to  know  the  flatterer  from  the  friend. 
The  darts  oflove,  like  lightning,  wound  within, 
And,  tho'  they  pierce  it,  never  hurt  the  skin  ; 
Theyleave  no  marks  behind  them  where  they  fly, 
Tho'  thro'  the  tend'rest  part  of  all,  the  eye. 
Darkness — the  curtain  drops  on  lift's  dull  scene. 


Laconics.    1.  When  we  behold  a  fall  grown 
man,  in  the  perfection  of  vigor  and  health,  and 
the   splendor  of  reason  and  intelligence,  and  are 
informed   that   "  God   created  man   in    his  own 
image,  after  his  own  likeness  ;"  we  are  attracted 
with  tenfold  interest  to  the   examination  of  the 
object,  that  is  placed  before  us,  and  the  structure 
of  his  mind  and  body,  and  the  succinct  develop- 
ments of  the  parts  and  proportions  of  each.     2.  A 
workingman  without  tools,  tho'  he  has  the  best 
designs  and  most  perfect  practical  skill,  can  do 
nothing  useful ;  without  skill,  his   design  could 
do  nothing  with  the  best  of  tools;  and  without 
design,  his  skill  and  tools  would  be  both  inopera- 
tive :  thus   again,  three   distinct  essentials  are 
seen  to  be  necessary  in  every  thing. 
Mercy !  I  know  it  not, — for  I  am  miserable  ; 
I'll  give  thee  misery,  for  here  she  dicells, 
This  is  her  home,  where  the  sun  never  dawns, 
The  bird  of night — sits  screaming  o'er  the  roof; 
Grim  spectres — sweep  along  the  horrid  gloom ; 
And  naught  is  heard,  but  wailing  and  lamenting. 
Hark!  something  crac&s above!  it  shakesl  ittottersl 
And  the  nodding  ruin  falls  to  crush  us  ! 
'Tis  fallen  I  'tis  here  !  I  felt  it  on  my  brain  I 
A  waving  flood — of  bluish  fire  swells  o'er  me! 
And  now,  'tis  out ;   and  I  am  drowned  in  blood  ! 
Ha  !  what  art  thou  1  thou  horrid,  headless  trunk  ! 
It  is  my  Hastings : — see  !  he  wafts  me  on ; 
Away  I  I  go  :  lfly:  I  follow  thee  ! 

Varieties.  1.  Can  actions  be  really  good, 
unless  they  proceed  from  good  motives?  2. 
By  doubting,  we  are  led  to  think ;  or,  consider 
whether  it  be  so,  and  to  collect  reasons,  and 
thereby  to  bring  that  truth  rationally  into  our 
minds.  3.  The  effects  of  music — are  pro- 
duced directly  upon  the  affections,  without 
the  intervention  of  thought.  4.  What  shall 
we  do,  to  obtain  justice,  when  we  are  injur- 
ed? Seek  recompense  at  law,  if  at  all.  5. 
Suppose  a  person  insults  us  in  such  a  man- 
ner, that  the  law  cannot  give  us  redress? 
Then  for  give  him.  6.  In  the  Lord,  are  infi- 
nite love,  infinite  wisdom,  and  infinite  power 
or  authority, — which  three  essential  attri- 
butes— constitute  the  only  God  of  heaven 
and  earth.  7.  The  New  Testament  was  di- 
vided into  verses,  in  1551,  by  Robert  Stevens, 
for  the  convenience  of  reference  to  a  Concor- 
dance ,-  and  the  Old  Testament  is  supposed 
to  have  been  divided  into  verses,  about  the 
same  time  ;  those  divisions,  of  course,  are  of 
no  authority  ;  nor  are  the  punctuations. 

All  live  by  seeming. 
The  beggar  begs  with  it,  the  gay  courtier 
Gains  land  and  title,  rank  and  rule,  by  seeming: 
The  clergy  scorn  it  not,  and  the  bold  soldier 
Will  eke  with  it  his  service.     All  admit  it, 
All  practice  it  ;  and  he,  who  is  content 
With  showing  what  he  is,  shall  have  small  credit 
In  church,  or  camp,  or  state.  So  wags  Die  world. 

What  is  this  world1?    Thy  school,  O  misery! 

Our  only  lesson,  is — to  learn  to  suffer; 

And  he  who  knows  not  that,  was  born  for  nothing. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


213 


524.  Despair.    Shakspeare  has  most  exqui- 
sitely depicted  this  passion,  where  he  has  drawn 

cardinal  Beaufort,  after  a  most  ungodly  lii 

in  despair,  and  terrified  vvitli  the  murder  01  duke 
1  [umphrej  .  to  which  he  was  accessory.  The  first 
example  is  Despair,  the  second,  Despair  and  Re- 
morse. 

It' thou  be'st  Death,  I'll  give  thee  England's  treasures, 
Enough  to  purchase  such  anotlier  island, 
Po  thou  wilt  let  me  live,  and  feel  no  pain. 
Bring  me  to  my  trial,  when  you  will; 
Died  he  not  in  his  bed?  where  should  he  die? 
Can  I  make  men  live,  whether  they  will  or  no  ? 
Oh !  torture  me  no  more;  I  will  confess. 
Alive  again?  then  show  me  where  he  is; 
I'll  give  a  thousand  pounds  to  look  upon  him. 
He  hath  no  eyes, — the  dust — hath  blinded  them ; 
Comb  down  his  hair;  look!  look!  it  stands  upright, 
Like  lime-twigs — to  catch  my  winged  soul; 
Give  me  some  drink,  and  bid  the  apothecary 
Bring  in  the  strong  poison,  that  I  bought  of  him. 
Henceforth — let  no  man — trust  theirs*  false  step 
To  guilt.    It  hangs  upon  a  precipice, 
Whose  deep  descent,  in  fast  perdition  ends. 
How  far — am  I  plunged  down,  beyond  all  thought, 
Which  I  this  evening  framed  ! 
Consummate  horror!  guilt — beyond  a  name! 
Dare  not  my  soul  repent.    In  thee,  repentance 
Were  sico.id  guilt,  and 'twere  blaspheming  heaven 
To  hope  for  mercy.    My  pain  can  only  cease 
When  gods  want  power  to  punish.  Ha !  the  da  von .' 
Rise,  never  more,  O '.  sun!  let  night  prevail. 
Eternal  darkness — close  the  world's  wide  scene  : 
And  hidt  me — from  myself. 


525.  Cmef  is  disappointment,  devoid  of  hope; 
but  muse'  :s  1 'raced  instantly,  imply  hope  strongly, 
and  a  spirited  vivacity  in  the  eye,  is  the  effect  of 
pleasure   and   elevation.    They  are  inconsistent 
with  a  passion  that  depresses,  which  grief  mani- 
festly  does ;    because   depression    slackens    the 
nerves,  and  unbraced  nerves  deject  the  looks  and 
air.  necessarily;  therefore,  a  relaxed  mien,  and 
languid  eye,  form   the  truest  picture  of  natural 
sorrow.   The  smaller  engraving  represents  vacant 
grief,  and  the  other  deep  silent  grief. 
I'll  go.  and,  in  the  anguish  of  my  heart, 
Weep  o'er  my  child, — if  he  must  die,  my  life 
Is  wrapt  in  his ;  and  shall  not  long  survive; 
Tis  for  his  sake,  that  I  have  suffered  life, 
Groaned  ,u  captivity,  and  outlived  Hector, 
Yes.  my  A^-Zy-a-nax!  we  will  go  together ; 
Together — to  the  realms — of  night — we'll  go. 

Anecdote.  Lesson  from  a  Spider.  King 
Robert  Bruce,  the  restorer  of  the  Scottish 
monarchy,  being  out  one  day  rcconnoitering 
the  army,  lay  alone  in  a  barn.  In  the  morn- 
ing, still  reclining  on  his  pillow  of  straw,  he 


saw  a  spider  climbing  up  one  of  the  rafters  ; 
the  insect  fell,  but  immediately  made  a  second 
attempt  to  ascend;  and  the  hero  saw,  with 
regret,  the  spider  fall  the  second  time ;  it  then 
made  a  third  unsuccessful  attempt.  With 
much  interest  and  concern  the  monarch  saw 
the  spider  baffled  in  its  aim  twelve  times; 
but  the  thirteenth  essay  was  successful; 
when  the  king, starting  up, exclaimed,  "This 
despicable  insect  has  taught  me  perseverance: 
I  will  follow  its  example.  Have  I  not  been 
twelve  times  defeated  by  the  enemy's  supe- 
rior force'!  On  one  fight  more  hangs  the  in- 
dependence of  my  country.''  In  a  few  days, 
his  anticipations  were  realized,  by  the  glori- 
ous victory  at  the  battle  of  Bannockburn,  and 
the  defeat  of  Edward  the  Second. 

"Varieties.  1.  The  bee — rests  on  natural 
flowers,  never  on  painted  ones,  however  in- 
imitably the  color  may  be  laid  on ;  apply  this 
to  all  tilings.  2.  The  rapidity  with  which 
the  body  may  travel  by  steam,  is  indicative  of 
the  progress  which  the  mind  is  about  to  make; 
and  improvements  in  machinery — represent 
those  which  are  developing  in  the  art  of  teach- 
ing. 3.  Equal  and  exact  justice  to  all,  of 
whatever  state,  or  persuasion,  religious  and 
political.  4.  What  is  matter?  and  what  are 
its  essential  properties,  and  what  its  primeval 
form  ?  5.  How  much  more  do  we  know  of 
the  nature  of  matter,  than  we  do  of  the  essen- 
tial properties  of  spirit  ?  6.  What  is  the  ori- 
gin of  the  earth,  and  in  what  form  did  it 
originally  exist, — in  a  gaseous,  or  igneous 
form?  7.  Everything  that  exists, is  designed 
to  aid  in  developing  and  perfecting  both  body 
and  mind:  the  universe  is  our  school-house. 

DESPAIR  makes  a  despicable  figure,  and  descends  from  a  mean 
original.    'Tis  the  offspring  of  fear,  of  laziness,  and  imyatu  nee ; 
it  argues  a  defect  of  spirit  and  resolutkm,  and  oftentimes  of  hon- 
esty too.    I  would  not  despair,  unless  I  saw  my  misfortune  record- 
ed" in  the  book  of  fate,  and  signed  and  sealed  by  necessity. 
I  am  not  mad  ;  this  hair  I  tear  is  mine; 
My  name  is  Constance;  I  was  Goffrey's  wife; 
Young  Arthur — is  my  son, — and  he  is  lost. 
I  am  not  mad ;  I  would  to  heaven  I  were; 
For  then,  'tis  like  I  should  forget  myself. 
Oh,  if  I  could,  what  grief— I  should  forget ! 
Preach  some  philosophy — to  make  me  mad, 
And,  cardinal,  thou  shalt  be  canonized  ; 
For  being  not  mad,  but  sensible  of  grief, 
My  reasonable  part  produces  reason, 
That  I  may  be  delivered  of  these  woes, 
And  teaches  me  to  kill,  or  hang  myself; 
If  I  were  mad,  I  should  forget  my  son, 
Or  madly  think  a  bale  of  rags  were  he. 
I  an.  not  mad  ;  too  well  I  feel 
The  diffused  plague  of  each  calamity. 
Make  thy  demand  on  those,  who  own  thy  power ; 
Know,  I  am  still  beyond  thee ;  and  tho'  fortune 
Has  stripped  me  of  this  train,  this  pomp  of greatness, 
This  outside  of  a  king,  yet  still — my  soul 
Fixed  high,  and  on  herself  alone  dependent, 
Is  ever/We  and  royal;  and  even  now, 
As  at  the  head  of  battle,  does  defy  thee. 


214 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


526.  Jealousy  is 
doubtful  anger,  strug- 
gling against  faith  and 
pity  :  it  is  a  tenderness 
resisted  by  resentment 
of  suspected  injury; 
the  nerves  braced  strong, 
imply  determination  of 
revenge  and  punishment; 
while,  at  the  same  time, 
a  soft  passive  hesitation 
in  the  eye,  confesses  a 
reluctance  at  the  heart, 
to  part  with,  or  efface  a 
gentle  and  indulged  idea. 
Again,  it  is  rage  at  a  con- 
cluded infidelity ;  and 
then,  the  eye  receives  and  flashes  out  sparklings  of 
inflamed  ideas,  while  the  muscles,  contracting  the 
will's  violence,  from  a  repressive  disposition  of 
the  heart,  grow  slack,  and  lose  their  spring,  and 
so  disarm  and  modify  the  enraged  indignation. 
INow  from  this  unsettled  wavering  in  the  balance 
of  the  purpose,  when  the  heart  and  judgment 
weigh  each  other,  and  both  scales  alternately 
preponderate,  is  induced  a  glowing  picture  of 
jealousy. 

Oh  !  what  dam-ned  minutes  tells  he  o'er, 
Who  doats,  yet  doubts,  suspects,  yet  strongly  fores.' 
O  jealousy .'  thou  bane  of  social  joy ! 
Oh  !  she's  a  monster,  made  of  contradictions  ! 
Let  truth,  in  all  her  native  charms  appear, 
And  with  the  voice  of  harmony  itself 
Plead  the  just  cause  of  innocence  imduc'd  ; 
Deaf  as  the  adder,  blind  as  upstart  greatness, 
She  sets,  nor  hears.    And  yet,  let  slander  whisper, 
Rumor  has  fewer  tongues  than  she  has  ears  ; 
And  Argus'1  hundrd  eyes  are  dim  and  slow, 
To  piercing  jealousy's. 

537.  The  Fruits.  Men.  instead  of  applying 
the  salutary  medicines  of  philosophy  and  religion 
to  abate  the  rage,  and  recover  the  temper  of  their 
vitiated  imaginations,  cherish  the  disease  in  their 
bosoms,  until  their  increasing  appetites,  like  the 
hounds  of  Actaeon,  tear  into  pieces  the  soul  they 
were  intended  to  enliven  and  protect. 

Jealousy — is  like 
Apolish'd  glass,  held  to  the  lips,  when  life's  in  doubt: 
If  there  be  breadth,  'twill  catch  the  damp  and  shoiv  it. 
Jealous  rage — is  but  a  hasty  fame, 
That  blazes  out,  when  love  too  fiercely  burns. 
It  is  jealousy's  peculiar  nature, 
To  swell  small  things  to  great;  nay,  out  of  nought, 
To  conjure  much,  and  then  to  lose  its  reason 
Amid  the  hideous  phantoms  it  has  formed. 
Where  love  reigns,  disturbing  jealousy 
Doth  call  himself  affection's  sentinel; 
Gives  false  alarms,  suggesteth  mutiny, 
And,  in  a  peaceful  hour,  doth  cry,  kill,  kill ; 
Distempering  gentle  fore  with  his  desire, 
As  air  and  water  do  abate  the  ./ire. 

How  blest  am  I 
In  my  just  censure !  in  my  true  opinion ! — 
Alack  for  lesser  knowledge  ! — how  accurs'd 
In  being  so  bless'd !  There  may  be  in  the  cup 
"A  spider  steep'd,  and  one  may  drink,  depart, 
And  yet  partake  no  venom,  for  his  knowledge 
Is  not  infected  ;  but  if  one  present 
The  abhorr'd  ingredient  to  his  eye,  make  known 
Hovvhehath  drunk,  he  cracks  his  gorge,  liis  sides, 
With  violent  hefts. — I  have  drunk,  and  seen  the 
spider ! 


Anecdote.  Lord  Gadsby,  over  the  en- 
trance of  a  beautiful  grotto,  had  caused  this 
inscription  to  be  placed, — "Let  nothing  en- 
ter here  but  what  is  good.:'    Dr.  Rennet,  the 

master  of  the  temple,  who  was  walking  over 
the  ground,  with  much  point  asked — "  Then 
where  does  your  lordship  enter]'' 

Everything  Useful.  The  mineral,  ve- 
getable, and  animal  kingdoms,  are  designed 
for  the  nourishment,  clothing,  habitation,  re- 
creation, delight,  protection  and  preservatior.' 
of  the  human  race ;  abuse  does  not  take 
away  use,  anymore  than  the  falsification  of 
truth  destroys  the  truth ;  except,  with  those 
who  do  it.  Everything  which  is  an  object  of 
the  senses,  is  designed  to  aid  in  developing 
the  most  external  faculties  of  man ;  and 
what  is  of  an  economical  and  civil  nature, 
and  what  is  imbibed  from  parents,  teachers, 
and  others,  and  also  from  books,  and  reflec- 
tions upon  them  all,  is  useful  for  perfecting 
the  rational  faculties  of  the  mind :  and  all 
divine  truths  are  designed  to  perfect  the  hu- 
man mind,  and  prepare  it  for  receiving  a 
spiritual  principle  from  the  Lord,  our  Crea- 
tor and  Redeemer. 

Varieties.  1.  A  fit  Pair.  A  Bandy  is  a 
thing,  in  pantaloons,  with  a  body  and  two 

arms,  head  without  brains,  tight  boots,  a  cane, 
and  white  handkerchief,  two  broaches  and  a 
ring  on  his  little  finger.  A  Coquette  is  a 
young  lady,  with  more  beauty  than  sense, 
more  accomplishments  than  learning,  more 
charms  of  person  than  graces  of  mind, 
more  admirers  than  friends,  and  more  fools 
than  wise  men  for  her  attendants.  2.  The 
sunshine  of  prosperity — has  attractions  for 
all,  who  love  to  bask  in  its  influence,  hoping 
to  share  in  its  pleasures.  3.  The  verdant 
lawn,  the  shady  grove,  the  variegated  land- 
scape, the  beautifid  ocean  and  the  starry  fir- 
mament are  contemplated  with  pleasure,  by 
every  one,  who  has  a  soul.  4.  A  man  should 
not  be  ashamed  to  own,  that  he  has  been  in 
the  wrong ,-  which  is  only  saying,  in  other 
words,  that  he  is  wiser  to-day  than  lie  was 
yesterday.  5.  The  love  of  truth  and  good- 
ness, is  the  best  passion  we  can  indulge.  6. 
A  loomari's  life,  is  the  history  of  the  affec 
tions ;  the  heart  is  her  world ;  it  is  there 
her  ambition  strives  for  empire,  and  there 
she  seeks  for  untold  treasures.  7.  The  best 
and  noblest  conquest,  is  that  of  reason  over 
our  2>assions,  and  follies. 

Those  you  make  friends, 
And  give  your  hearts  to.  when  they  once  perceive 
The  least  rub  in  your  fortunes,  fall  away 
Like  water  from  ye,  nexerfotind  again 
But  where  they  mean  to  sink  ye. 

Oh  jealousy! 
Love's  eclipse '.  thou  art  in  thy  disease 
A  wild,  mad  patient,  wondrous  hard  to  please. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


215 


538.  Judging— demands  a  grave,  steady  look, 
with  deep  attention,  the  countenance  altogether 
clear  from  any  appearance,  either  of  disgust,  or 
favor:  the  pronunciation  Blow,  distinct,  and  em- 
phatical,  accompanied  with  little  action,  and  that 
very  grave. 

JUDGING  ACCORDING   TO   STRICT   LAW. 

If  you  refuse— to  wed  Demetrius — 

Either  must  you  die  the  death,  or  abjure, 

Forever,  the  society  of  men. 

Therefore,  fair  Hermia,  question  your  desires, 

Know  of  your  youth,  examine  well  your  blood, 

Whether,  not  yielding  to  your  father's  choice, 

You  can  endure  the  livery  of  a  nun; 

For  aye — to  be  in  a  shady  cloister  mew'd ; 

Chaunting  faint  hymns  to  the  cold  fruitless  moon. 

Take  time  to  pause,  and,  by  the  next  new  moon, 

(The  sealing  day  betwixt  my  love  and  me, 

For  everlasting  bond  of  fellowship,) 

Upon  that  day,  either  prepare  to  die, 

For  disobedience  to  your  father's  will, 

Or  eke — to  wed  Demetrius,  as  he  would, 

Or  on  Diana's  altar  to  protest — 

For  age — austerity — and  single  life. 

Miscellaneous.  1.  In  opening  a  cause, 
give  a  general  view  of  the  grounds  on  which 
the  charge  is  made,  and  of  the  extent,  magni- 
tude, tendency,  and  effect  of  the  crime  al- 
ledged.  2.  There  is  some  consolation  for  dull 
authors,  that  the  confectioner  may  put  good 
into  their  books,  if  they  fail  to  do  it  themselves. 
3.  Uncle  Toby's  oath:  "The  accusing  spirit, 
which  flew  up  to  heaven's  chancery,  with  the 
oath,  blushed — as  he  gave  it  in ;  and  the  re- 
cording angel — dropped  a  tear  upon  it,  and 
blotted  it  out  forever.  4.  Would  not  many 
persons  be  very  much  surprised,  if  their  ideas 
of  heavenly  joys,  should  be  exhibited  here- 
after, to  show  them  their  falsity  ?  5.  Beauty 
is  given,  to  remind  us,  that  the  soul  should  be 
kept  as  fair  and  perfect  in  its  proportions,  as 
the  temple  in  which  it  dwells ;  the  spirit  of 
beauty  flows  in,  only  where  these  proportions 
are  harmonious.  6.  Can  any  one  be  a  lover 
of  truth,  and  a  searcher  after  it,  and  yet  turn 
his  back  on  it,  when  presented,  and  call  for 
miracles  ?  7.  The  aphorism,  "  Know  thy- 
self,'' is  soon  sjwken,  but  one  is  a  long  time 
in  obeying  it ;  Gracian — was  placed  among 
the  seven  wise  men  of  Greece,  for  having 
been  the  author  of  the  maxim  ;  but  never,  re- 
plied the  sage,  was  any  one  placed  there  for 
having  performed  it. 
Who  painted  Justice  blind,  did  not  declare 
What  magistrates  should  be,  but  what  they  are : 
Not  so  much,  'cause  they  rich  and  poor  should  weigh 
In  their  just  scales  alike;  but,  because  they, 
Now  blind  with  bribes,  are  grown  so  weak  of  sight, 
They'll  sooner  feel  a  cause,  than  see  it  right. 

Justice,  painted  blind, 
Infers,  his  ?ninisters  are  obliged  to  hear 
The  cause  ;  and  truth,  the  judge,  determine  of  it ; 
And  not  sway'd  or  by  favor,  or  affection, 
By  a  false  gloss,  or  corrected  comment,  alter 
The  true  intent  and  letter  of  the  law. 

Man's  rich  with  little,  were  his  judgment  true. 


Anecdote.  In  the  early  period  of  the 
French  revolution,  when  the  throne  and  the 
altar  had  been  overturned,  a  Benedictine 
monastery  was  entered,  by  a  devastating  band, 
its  inmates  treated  with  wanton  and  unpro- 
voked cruelly,  and  the  work  <>i 
and  plunder  going  on, — when  a  large  body 
of  the  inhabit  ants  rallied,  drove  the  spoilers 
away, but  secured  the  ringleaders,  whom  they 
would  have  severely  punished,  had  not  the 
abbot,  who  had  received  the  worst  indignities 
from  these  very  leaders,  rushed  forward  to 
protect  them.  "  I  thank  you,  my  children," 
said  he, "  for  your  seasonable  interference ; 
let  us,  however,  show  the  superiority  of  relir 
gvon,  by  displaying  our  clemency,  and  suffer- 
ing them  to  depart."  The  ruffians  were  over- 
powered by  the  abbot's  humanity,  fell  at  his 
feet,  entreated  his  benediction  andforgiveness. 

But  yonder — comes  the  powerful  king  of  day, 
Rejoicing  in  the  east.    The  less'ning  cloud. 
The  kindling  azure,  and  the  mountain's  brow, 
Illum'd  with  fluid  gold,  his  near  approach 
Betoken  glad.    Lo,  now,  apparent  all 
Aslant  the  dew-bright  earth,  and  color'd  air, 
He  looks — in  boundless  majesty  abroad  ; 
And  sheds  the  shining  day,  that,  burnislrd,  plays 
On  rocks,   and  hills,  and  tow'rs,  and  wand'ring 
High  gleaming  from  afar.  [streams, 

Varieties.  1.  Should  we  be  governed  by 
our  feelings,  or  by  out  judgment  ?  2.  Earths, 
waters,  and  atmospheres — are  the  three  ge- 
neral elements,  of  which  all  natural  things 
are  made.  3.  The  human  body  is  composed 
of  all  the  essential  things  winch  are  in  the 
world  of  nature.  4.  The  three  periods  of  our 
development  are — infancy,  including  the  first 
seven  years;  childhood — the  second  seven, 
and  youth — the  third  seven;  the  close  of 
which, — is  the  beginning  of  manhood.  5. 
Adolescence — is  that  state,  when  man  begins 
to  think,  and  act — for  himself,  and  not  from 
the  instruction,  and  direction  of  others.  6. 
The  cerebellum,  and  consequently,  the  vo- 
luntary principle  of  the  mind,  never  sleeps  ; 
but  the  cerebrum,  and  of  course,  the  reason- 
ing faculty — does.  7.  Beware  of  the  errone- 
ous opinion,  that  you  must  be  remarkably 
original ;  and  that  to  speak,  and  write,  un- 
like anybody  else,  is  a  great  merit. 

'Tis  certain,  greatness,  once  fallen  out  \v\x\\  fortune, 
Must  fall  out  with  men  too  :  what  the  declin'd  is, 
He  shall  as  soon  read — in  the  eyes  of  others, 
As  feel — in  his  own  fall:  for  men,  like  butterflies, 
Show  not  their  mealy  ivings.  but  to  the  summer. 

He  stood  up 
Firm  in  his  belter  strength,  and  like  a  tree 
Rooted  in  Lebanon,  his  frame  bent  not. 
His  thin,  white  hairs— had  yielded  to  the  wind, 
And  left  his  brow  uncovered;  and  his/ace, 
Impressed  with  the  stern  majesty  oi grief , 
Nerved  to  a  solemn  duty,  now  stood  forth 
Like  a  rent  rock,  submissive,  yet  sublime. 


216 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


5*29.  Malice,  or  Spite,  is  a  habitual  malevo- 
lence, long  continued,  and  watching  occasion  to 
exeri  itself  on  the  hated  object ;  this  hateful  dis- 
position sets  the  jaws  and  gnashes  the  teeth, 
sends  blasting  flashes  from  the  eyes,  stretches 
the  month  horizontally,  clinches  the  fists,  and 
bends  the  elbows  in  a  straining  manner  to  the 
body ;  the  tone  of  voice,  and  expression,  are 
much  the  same  as  in  anger,  but  not  so  loud  ; 
which  see.  These  two  engravings  represent,  the 
smaller  one,  revengeful  hatred,  and  the  other, 
abhorrence,  fear,  contempt,  without  power,  or 
courage. 

How  like  a  fawning  publican  he  looks ! 

I  hate  him,  for  he  is  a  christian, 

Rut  more,  for  that,  in  low  simplicity, 

He  lends  out  money  gratis,  and  brings  down 

The  rates  of  usance,  here  with  us  in  Venice. 

If  I  can  catch  him — once  upon  the  hip, 

I  will  feed  fat — the  ancient  grudge  I  bear  him. 

He  hates  our  sacred  nation,  and  he  rails, 

(Even  there  where  merch'nts  most  do  congregate,) 

On  my  bargains,  and  my  well-won  thrift ; 

Which  he  calls  interest.     Cursed  be  my  tribe, 

If  I  forgive  him. 

530.    Melancholy,    or    Fixed  Grief,  is 
gloomy,   sedentary,    and    motionless.     The 
lower  jaw  falls,  the  lips  are  pale,  the  eyes  cast 
down,  half  shut,  the  eyelids  swollen  and  red, 
or  livid  tears  trickling  silently  and  unmixed, 
with  total  inattention  to  anything  that  passes. 
Words,  if  any,  are  few,  and  those  dragged  out 
rather  than  spoken;  the  accents  weak  and 
interrupted,  sighs  breaking  into  the  middle 
of  words  and  sentences. 
There  is  a  stupid  weight — upon  my  senses  ; 
A  dismal  sullen  stillness,  that  succeeds 
The  storm  of  rage  and  grief,  like  silent  death, 
After  the  tumult,  and  the  noise  of  life.      [like  it ; 
Would — it  were  death ;  as  sure,  'tis  wondrous 
For  I  am  sick  of  living.     My  soul  is  peel'd  : 
Bhe  kindles  not  anger,  or  revenge, 
Love — was  the  informing,  active  fire  within  : 
Now  that  is  quenched,  the  mass  forgets  to  move, 
And  longs  to  mingle — with  its  kindred  earth. 

The  glance 
Of  melancholy — is  a  fearful  gift; 
What  is  it.  but  the  telescope  of  truth  ? 
Which  strips  the  distance  of  its  phantasies, 
And  brin«3  life  near — in  utter  nakedness, 
Making  the  cold  reality — too  real ! 

Moody  and  dull  inelancholy , 

Kinsman  to  grief  and  comfortless  despair. 
Worth  makes  the  man,  and  want  of  it  the  fellow. 


Melancholy — discloses  its  symptoms  accord- 
ing to  the  sentiments  and  passions  of  the  minds 
it  affects.  An  ambitious  man  fancies  himself 
a  lord,  statesman,  minister,  king,  emperor,  or 
monarch,  and  pleases  his  mind  with  the  vain 
hopes  of  even  future  preferment.  The  mind  of 
a  covetous  man  sees  nothing  but  his  re  or  spe, 
and  looks  at  the  most  valuable  objects  with  an 
eye  of  hope,  or  with  the  fond  conceit,  that  they 
are  already  his  own.  A  love-sick  brain  adores, 
in  romantic  strains,  the  lovely  idol  of  bis  heart, 
or  sighs  in  real  misery,  at  her  fancied  frowns. 
And  a  scholar's  mind  evaporates  in  the  fumes 
of  imaginary  praise  and  literary  distinction. 

Anecdote.  Routs.  "How  strange  it  is," 
said  a  lady,  "  that  fashionable  parties  should 
be  called  routs  ?  Why,  rout,  formerly  sig- 
nified— the  defeat  of  an  army  ;  and  when 
soldiers  were  all  put  to  flight,  or  to  the  sivord, 
they  were  said  to  be  routed/"  "This  title 
has  some  propriety  too  ,-"  said  an  observer  of 
men  and  things,  "for  at  these  meetings, 
whole  families  are  frequently  routed  out  of 
house  and  home." 

Varieties.  1.  Agriculture  —  is  the  true 
foundation  of  all  trade  and  industry ;  and 
of  course,  the  foundation  of  individual  and 
national  riches.  2.  When  the  moon,  on  a 
clear,  autumnal  evening,  is  moving  through 
the  heavens  in  silent  glory,  the  earth — seems 
like  a  slumbering  bahc,  smiling  in  its  sleep, 
because  it  dreams  of  heaven.  3.  The  truths 
of  science  are  not  only  useful,  in  themselves, 
but  their  influence  is  exceedingly  beneficial 
in  mental  culture.  4.  Let  your  amusements 
be  select  and  temperate,  and  such  as  will  fit 
you  for  the  better  performance  of  your  du- 
ties ;  all  others  are  positively  injurious.  5. 
Raise  the  edifice  of  your  virtue  and  happi- 
ness, on  the  su7-e  foundation  of  true  religion, 
or  love  to  God,  and  love  to  man.  6.  That 
will  be  well  and  speedily  done  in  ^family  or 
community,  when  each  one  does  Ms  part 
faithfully.  7.  Eloquence — is  the  power  of 
seizing  the  attention,  with  irresistable  force, 
and  never  permitting  it  to  elude  the  grasp, 
till  the  hearer  has  received  the  conviction, 
that  the  speaker  intends. 
That  I  must  die,  it  is  my  only  comfort; 
Death — is  the  privilege  of  human  nature, 
And  life,  without  it.  were  not  worth  our  taking; 
Thither — the  poor,  the  prisoner,  and  the  mourner, 
Fly  for  relief,  and  lay  their  burthen's  down. 
Come  then,  and  take  me  into  thy  cold  arms, 
Thou  meagre  shade;  here,  let  me  breathe  my  last. 
Charmed,  with  my  father's  pity  and  forgiveness, 
More  than  if  angels  tuned  their  golden  viols, 
And  sung  a  requiem — to  my  parting  soul. 

On  the  sands  of  life 
Sorrow  treads  heavily,  and  leaves  a  print, 
Time  cannot  wash  away  ;  while  Joy  trips  by 
With  steps  so  light  and  soft,  that  the  next  wave 
Wears  his  faint  foot-falls  out. 
And  coming  events — cast  their  shadows  before. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


217 


531.  Pardoning — differs  from  acquitting,  in 
this — the  latter — means  clearing  a  person,  after 
trial,  of  guilt;  whereas,  the  former — supposes  guilt, 
and  -  gnifiee  merely  delivering  the  guilty  person 
from  punishment;  pardoning  requires  >ome  de- 
gree of  severity  of  aspect,  and  tone  of  voice,  be- 
cause the  pardoned  one  is  not  an  object  of  active, 
unmixed  approbation;  otherwise,  eta  expression 
is  much  the  same  as  granting;  which  see. 

PARDONING   A   CRUKL   PERSECUTION. 

We  pardon  thee ;  live  on,  the  state  hath  need  of 

Humility  and  gratitude  for  this  our  gift,         [men. 

May  make  a  man  of  thee. 

Great  souls — forgive  not  injuries,  till  time 

Has  put  their  enemies  within  their  poiver, 

That  they  may  show— forgiveness — is  their  own. 

That  thou  may'st  see  the  difference  of  our  spirits, 

I  pardon  thee  thy  life,  before  thou  ask  it : 

For  half  thy  wealth,  it  is  Antonio's  ; 

The  other  half— conies  to  the  general  slate; 

Which  humbleness — may  drive  into  a  fine. 

533.  Perplexity,  Irresolution,  Anxiety. 
are  always  attended  with  some  degree  of  fear;  it 
collects  the  body  together,  as  if  for  gathering  up 
the  arms  upon  the  breast,  rubs  the  forehead,  the 
eyebrows  contracted,  the  head  hanging  on  the 
breast,  the  eyes  cast  downward,  the  mouth  shut, 
the  lips  compressed;  suddenly,  the  whole  body  is 
agitated,  alters  its  aspect,  as  having  discovered 
something;  then,  falls  into  contemplation  as  be- 
fore ;  the  motions  of  the  body  are  restless  and  une- 
qual ;  sometimes  moving  quick,  and  sometimes 
slow;  the  pauses,  in  speaking  to  another,  long,  the 
tone  of  voice  uneven,  the  sentences  broken  and 
unfinished;  sometimes  talks  to  himself,  or  makes 
grimaces,  and  keeping  half  of  what  arises  in  the 
mind. 

Yes ; — 'tis  Emilia  :• — by  and  by — she's  dead. 
Tis  like  she  comes  to  speak  of  Cassio's  death; 
The  noise  was  high ; — ha !  no  more  moving? 
Still  as  the  grave.     Shall  she  come  in?  wer't  good? 
I  think  she  stirs  again.    No.    What's  the  best? 
If  she  come  in,  she'll  speak  to  my  loife. 

Anecdote.  Peter  the  Great  made  a  law, 
in  1722,  that  if  any  nobleman  beat,  or  ill- 
treated  his  slaves,  he  should  be  looked  upon 
as  insane,  and  a  guardian  be  appointed,  to 
take  care  of  his  person  and  estate.  The  great 
monarch  once  struck  his  gardener,  who,  be- 
ing a  man  of  great  sensibility,  took  to  his  bed, 
and  died  in  a  few  days.  Peter,  on  hearing  of 
this,  exclaimed,  with  tears  in  his  eyes :  I  have 
civilized  my  subjects  ;  I  have  conquered  other 
nations ,-  yet  I  have  not  been  able  to  civilize 
and  conquer  myself. 
There  is  no  remedy    for  time  misspent, 

No  healing — for  the  waste  of  idleness, 
AVhose  very  languor — is  a  punishment 

Heavier  than  active  souls — can  feel  or  guess. 
O  hours  of  indolence — and  discontent, 

Not  noio — to  be  redeemed !  ye  sting  not  less 
Because  I  know — this  span  of  life  was  lent 

For  lofty  duties,  not  for  selfishness; 
Not  to  be  wliiled  away  in  aimless  dreams, 

But  to  improve  ourselves — and  serve  mankind, 

Life — and  its  choicest  facilities  were  given. 
Man  should  be  ever  better — than  he  seems : 

And  shape  his  acts,  and  discipline  his  mind, 

To  walk  adorning  earth,  with  hope  of  heaven! 
28  T 


Admiration  and  Iiove.  There  is  a  wide 
difference  between  admiration  and  love.  The 
sublime,  which  is  the  cause  of  the  former,  al- 
ways dwells  on  great  objects,  and  terrible; 
the  latter  on  small  ones,  and  pleasing ;  we 
submit  to  what  we  admire,  but  we  love  what 
submits  to  us;  in  one  case  we  are  forced,  in 
the  other  we  are  flattered,  into  compliance. 

Laconics.  1.  Every  one,  who  would  be  an 
orator,  should  study  Longinus  on  the  sublime.  2. 
Many  of  our  books,  containing  pieces  for  decla- 
mation, remind  one  of  a  physician's  leaving  medi- 
cine with  a  patient,  without  directions  how  to  take 
it.  3.  Would  it  not  be  well  for  some  competent 
person  to  compile  a  work,  to  be  called  "Songs  of 
the  People,"  for  all  trades  and  avocations  ?  4.  Let- 
ters and  words  are  like  the  notes  of  a  tune,  rep- 
resentative of  sounds  and  ideas.  5.  Descriptive 
speech  and  writing,  are  like  landscape  painting. 
6.  The  natural  world  is  an  allegory,  the  meaning 
of  which  we  may  find  in  ourselves.  7.  Were  a 
spectator  to  come  from  the  other  world,  into  many 
of  our  congregations,  he  would  regard  the  sing- 
ing, and  perhaps  the  worship,  as  any  thing  but 
devotional. 

Varieties.  1.  He,  who  will  peep  into  a 
drawer,  will  likely  be  tempted  to  take  some- 
thing out  of  it ;  and  he,  who  steals  a  cent  in 
his  youth,  will  be  very  apt  to  steal  a  dollar  in 
manhood.  2.  A  great  change  in  life,  is  like  a 
cold  bath  in  winter ,-  we  all  hesitate  to  make 
the  first 'plunge.  3.  The  farther  you  advance 
in  any  art,  or  science,  the  more  will  you  be 
delighted  with  simplicity  of  manner,  and  less 
attracted  by  superficial  ornament.  4.  One  of 
the  grand  objects  of  education  is — to  collect 
principles  and  apply  them  to  practice,-  and 
when  this  is  generally  done,  mankind  will 
be  brought  nearer  to  equality.  5.  It  is  as  im- 
possible for  us  to  understand  a  thing,  without 
having  the  image  of  it  on  the  retina  of  the 
mind's  eye,  as  it  is  to  see  any  thing,  without 
having  its  image  on  the  retina  of  the  bodily 
eye.  6.  Is  not  the  education  of  children,  for 
time  and  eternity,  the  highest  social,  civil, 
moral  and  religious  duty,  we  are  called  up- 
on to  perform '! 

PLEASURE   OF   PIETY. 

A  Deity — believed,  is  joy  begun; 

A  Deity  adored,  is  joy  advane'd; 

A  Deity  beloved,  is  joy  matured. 

Each  branch  of  piety  delight  inspires  : 

Faith — builds  a  bridge  from  Ms  world  to  the  next, 

O'er  death's  dark  gulf,  and  all  its  horror  hides ; 

Praise,  the  sweet  exhalation  of  our  joy, 

That  joy  exalts,  and  makes  it  sweeter  still; 

Prayer  ardent  opens  heavhi,  lets  down  a  stream 

Of  glory,  on  the  consecrated  hour 

Of  man — in  audience  with  1he  Deity. 

Some — ne'er  advance  a  judgment  of  their  own, 

But  catch  the  spreading  notions  of  the  town; 

They  reason  and  conclude — from  precedent, 

And  own  stale  notions,  which  they  ne'er  invent. 

Some  judge  of  authors'  names,  not  works;  and  then 

Nor  praise,  nor  blame  the  writings,  but  the  men. 


218 


PRINCIPLE  OF  ELOI  i    I  I 


5.t:?.  Modesty — is  a  diffidence  of  ourselves, 
accompanied  with  delicacy  in  oar  ienae  of  what- 
ever is  mean,  indirect,  or  dishonorable,  wa  fear 
them  impated 
I 

inferiority,  and  a  qniel  sorrend  r  of  our  power 
lerior.    Modest]  bends  the  body  forward  j 
has  a  placid,  downcast  countenance,  bends  r i » ♦- 
eyes  to  the  breast,  it"  not  to  the  feet,  of  the  Sa- 
hara) let ;  the  voice  Is  low,  the  tone  sub- 
,  and  the  words  few.    Submission  adds 
to  them  a  lower    bending  of  the  bead,  and  a 
spreading  oni  of  the  arms  and  hands,  down- 
Is  the  person  submitted  to. 

Now,  good  my  lord, 

Let  there  he  some  more  test  of  my  metal, 
Before  so  noble,  and  so  great  a  figure, 
Be  stamped  upon  it. 

O  noble  sir! 

Your  ever  kindness*  doth  wring  tears  from  me  ; 

I  do  embrace  your  offer,  and  dispose, 

From  henceforth,  of  poor  Claudia. 

As  lamps  burn  silent  with  unconscious  light, 

Bo  modest  ease  In  beauty  shines  more  bright; 
.nt'  charms,  with  edge  resistless  fall, 

And  she  who  means  no  mischief,  does  it  all. 

H'.i\.  Pbtox.  When  our  esteem  of  ourselves, 
or  opinion  of  our  own  rank  or  merit  is  so  high, 
as  to  les-  n  the  regard  due  to  the  rank  and 
merit  of  others,  it  is  called  jiriilr  :  when  it  sup- 
poses others  I. flow  our  regard,  it  is  contempt, 
scorn,  or  disdain.     /  tes  a  lofty  look, 

bordering  OH  the  look  and  aspect  at  anger.  The 
eyes  full  and  open,  but  with  the  cye-hrow  con- 
siderably drawn  down,  the  mouth  pouting  out, 
but  mostly  shut,  ami  the  lips  contracted:  the 
words  walk  out  and  strut,  and  are  uttered  with 
a  slow,  stiff,  bombastic  affectation  of  importance; 
the  handl  ometimes  rest  on  the  hips,  with  the 
elbows  brought  forward  in  the  position  (ailed 
a-kimbo  ;  the  feet  at  a  distance  from  each  other, 
and  the  steps  long  and  stately.  Obstinacy — 
adds  to  the  aspect  of  pride. 

Worcester!  get  thee  gone;  for  I  do  see 

Danger  and  disobedience  in  thine  eye  : 

O  sir,  your  presence  is  too  bold  and  peremptory, 

And  majesty  -might  never  yet  endure. 

The  moody  frontier,  of  a  servant's  brOW  ; 

You  have  good  leave  to  leave  us  ;  when  we  need 

Your  use  and  counsel,  we  shall  send  for  you. 

Did'sl  thou  not.  think,. s-hc/i  vengeance  must  await 

The  wretch  that  with  his  crimes  all  fresh  about 

Rushes,  irreverent,  unprepared,  uncalled,  [him, 

Into  his  Maker's  presence,  throwing  hack, 

With  insolent  disdain,  his  choicest  gifts  1 

Anecdote,  One  of  the  emperors  of  China 
mel  a  procession,  conducting  some  malefac- 
tors to  punishment.  <>n  being  informed  of 
the  J  ids,  he  bursl  into  tears;  when  one  of 
his  courtiers  endeavored  to  comfort  him,  say- 
ingi  "in  b  commonwealth,  there  must  be 
punishment;  it  cannol  be  avoided,  as  man- 
kind noware."  llis  majesty  replied,  "  I  weep 
not,  to  we  timse  men  prisoners,  nor  to  see 
tin 'in  chastised,-  i  Know  the  good  must  be 
protected  from  the  bad;  bul  i  weep, because 
my  time  is  nol  so  happy  us  thai  or  old  was, 
when  the  virtues  of  the  princes  were  such, 
th  it  they  served  as  a  bridtt  to  the  people,  and 
their  exampU  was  sufficient  to  restrain  a 
whole  kingdom." 

To  recount  Mmifhty  isorks, 

What      rds,  or  toi  I— can  suffice  t 


Pitnli  hnu  "•«■    1 

.  I.ut   it  were 
mm  h    '""'  '    '"    make    s; 1 1 »  :, 

.  H  might  <■■  put  I 
msd  from  ( 
ally  of  stealing,  ami  >■: 

tea  it 

Villi-  '  • 

•  nt  in  theoi  | 
in  practice  ;  ihun  adt 

■  !   i  o  nipt  in 

I    nt loon    i alutan  in  th. 

ti.al  manifestation,  than  i  ntially 

good  ami  true.     2.   In  on'- 

m  the  learned  ami  unlearned  pr 
scenes  "i  business,  and  in  ti  e  domesi 
the  masterpiece oi  mat 

::.  'i  le'  mora]  sense  of  the  peopli 

anchor,  which    alone  can   hold   llii'  \' 

state,  amidst  the  storms  th  world. 

i   True  religionhaa nothing  to  ft  ir,butnrach 
to  hope,  from  the  pri  ientiflc  truths. 

5.  A    writer    or   speaker    should    aim    n    t/j 

please,  as  to  do  his  hearers   and    readers   the 

greatest  amount  of  good.    6.  It  is  not  the 

part  of  a  lover  of  truth,  either  to  cavil  or  re- 
ject, without  due  examination.    7.  Ill  man- 
ners are  i ■'.  Idem  e  of  low  breeding. 
As  turns  a  flock  of  geese,  and,  on  the  green, 
Poke  out  their  foolish  necks  in  awkward  spleen, 
(Ridiculous  in  rage  1)  to  hiss,  not  bite, 
So  war  their  quills,  when  sons  of  Dullness  write. 

Clear  as  the  glass,  his  spotless  fame. 

And  lasting  diamond  writes  his  name. 
All  jealousy 
Must  still  be  strangled  in  its  birth  :  or  time 
Will  soon  conspire  to  make  it  strong  enough 
To  overcome  the  truth. 

When  satire  flies  abroad  on  falsehood's  wing, 
Short  is  her  life,  and  impotent  her  sting  ; 
But,  when  to  truth  allied,  the  wound  she  gives 
Sinks  deep,  and  to  remotest  ages  lives. 

Every  man  in  this  age  has  not  a  soul 
Of  crystal,  for  all  men  to  read  their  actions  [der, 
Thro':  men's  hearts  and  faces  are  so  far  asun- 
That  they  hold  no  intelligence. 

Something  heavy  on  my  spirit, 
Too  dull  for  wakefulness,  too  quick  for  slumber, 
Sits  on  me  as  a  cloud  along  the  sky, 
Which  will  not  lei  the  sunbeams  through,  nor  yet 
Descend  in  rain  and  end,  but  spreads  itself 
'Twixt  earth    and    heaven,  like  envy 
And  man,  an  everlasting  mist.  [man 

sonnet. 
Like  an  enfranchised  bird,  tint  wildly  springs, 

With  i  keen  sparkle  in  his  glancing  eye, 

And  a  strong  effort  in  his  quivering  wings, 

Up  to  the  tilue  vault  of  the  happy  sky, — 

So  my  enamorM  heart,  so  long  thine  own, 

At  length  from  Love's  imprisonment  set  free. 
Goes  forth  into  the  open  world  alone, 

Glad  and  exulting  in  its  liberty : 
But  like  that  helpless  bird  (ennfin'd  io  long, 

His  weary  wings  have  lost  all  power  to  soar,) 
Who  soon  forgets  to  trill  his  joyous  song, 

And  feebly  fluttering,  sinks  to  earth  once  more — 
So,  from  its  former  bonds  released  in  vain, 
My  heart  still  feels  the  weight  of  that  remember' J  chain. 
Whole  years  of  joy  glide  unperceived  away, 
While  sorrow  counts  the  minutes  as  they  pass. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


219 


535.  rROWSEKG  is  expressed  by  benevolent 
looks,  a  sou  bul  earnest  voice,  anil  sometimes  by 
inclining  the  head,  or  nod  of  consent ;  the  hands 
open  With  palm  upward,  toward  the  person  to 
whom  the  promise  is  maiie  :  sincerity  in  promising 
is  express'd  by  laying  the  hand  gently  on  the 
heart. 

I'll  deliver  all. 
And  promise  you  ca'.m  seas,  auspicious  gales, 
And  sail,  so  expeditious,  it  shall  catch 
Your  royal  fleet  far  off. 
I  will  be  true  to  thee,  preserve  thee  ever, 
The  sad  companion  of  this  faithful  breast; 
While  life,  and  tltought  remain. 
Where'er  I  go.  my  soul  shall  stay  with  thee ; 
Tis  but  my  shadow,  that  I  take  away. 

536.  Refusing.  —  when  accompanied  with 
displeasure,  is  done  nearly  the  same  way  as  dis- 

\    wim  displeasure:  without  it — it  is  done 
with  a  visible  reluctance,  that  occasions  the  bring- 
ing out  the  words  slowly,  with  such  a  shake  of 
the  head,  and  shrug,  as  is  natural   on  hearing 
something  that  gives  us  a  screw  of  the  shoulders, 
and  hesitation  in  the  speech,  as  implies  perplexity 
between  granting  and  refusing:  as  in  the  follow- 
ing example  of  refusing  to  lend  money : 
They  answer — in  a  joint — and  corporate  voice, 
That  now — they  are  at  fait— want  treasure — cannot 
Do — what  they  would ;  are  sorry,  (you  are  honorable) — 
But  yet  they  could  have  wished — (they  know  not) — 
Something  hath  been  amiss — (a  noble  nature 
May  catch  a  wrench) — would  all  were  well — 'tis  pity; 
And  so  intending  other  serious  matter, 
After  distasteful  looks — and  other  hard  fractions — 
With  certain  hoi/ caps,  and  cold-moving  words — 
They  frown  me  into  suence. 

Pride.    The  disesteem  and  contempt  of 
others  is  inseparable  from  pride.    It  is  hardly 
possible  to  overvalue  ourselves,bui  by  undev- 
valning  our  neighbors;  and  we  commonly 
most  undervalue  those,  who  are,  by  other  men, 
thought  to  be  wiser  than  ire  are ;  and  it  is  a 
kind  of  jealousy  in  ourselves  that  they  are  so, 
which  provokes  our  pride. 
They  said,  her  cheek  of  youth  was  beautiful, 
Till  withering  sorrow-  blanch'd  the  white  rose  there; 
But  grief  did  lay  his  icy  finger  on  it. 
And  chilTd  it — to  a  cold  and  joyless  statue. 

Anecdote.  Garrick  and  Hogarth,  sitting 
together  one  day,  mutually  lamented  the 
want  of  a  picture  of  Fielding;  "I  think, "  said 
Garrick,  "  1  could  make  his  face;"  which  he 
did  accordingly.  "  For  heaven's  sake,  hold," 
said  Hosarth, '"'  remain  as  you  are  a  few  min- 
utes;" he  did  so,  while  the  painter  sketched 
the  outlines,  which  were  afterwards. finished 
from  their  mutual  recollection :  and  tliis  draw- 
ins  was  the  original  of  all  the  portraits  we 
have  of  the  admired  Tom  Jones. 

He  that  holds  fast  the  golden  mean, 
And  lives,  contentedly,  between 

The  little — and  the  great, — 
Feels  not  the  wants — that  pinch  the  poor. 
Nor  plagues — that  haunt  the  rich  man's  door, 

Imbittering — all  his  stale. 
The  tallest  pines — feel  most — the  power 
Of  wintry  blast;  the  loftiest  tower — 

Comes  heaviest — to  the  ground. 
The  bolts — that  span  the  mountain  side, 
His  cloud-capt  eminence — divide ; 

And  spread  the  ruin  round. 

Nature — is  frugal,  and  her  wants  axe  few. 


Laconics.     1.  We  must  be  instructed  by  all 
l  ling,  if  we  would  know  that  one 
[ution  of  the  natural 
-.  amounts  to  the  creation  of  a  new  sphere, 
in  the  human  mind.    3.  All  truths,  scientiju 
sophieal  and  theological,  are  in  perfect  harmony 
with  each  other.     4.  The  use.  or  effect,  which  pro- 
duces the  e,id.  must  be  the  first  poju  ot  analytic 
inquiry ;  i.  e.  firs  result,  and  then,  the 

reasoning  upon  it.  5.  When  it  is  impossible,  to 
trace  effects  to  visible  causes,  the  mental  sight  must 
the  operation.  6.  There  is 
a  universal  analogy  between  all  the  spheres  of 
>ital  and  spiritual,  and  be- 
tween nature,  and  all  things  in  human  society.  7. 
Nature — is  simple  and  easy,  it  is  ?nan  that  is  diffi- 
cult and  perplt 
Genius.  They  say  of  poets,  that  they  must 
i  such;  so  must  mathematicians, so 
must  great  generals,  and  so  must  lawyers, 
and  so,  indeed,  must  men  of  all  denomina- 
tions, or  it  is  not  possible  that  they  should 
excel;  but  with  whatever  faculties  we  are 
born,  and  to  whatever  studies  our  gen  ius  may 
direct  us,  studies  they  stiU  must  be.  Nature 
gives  a  mas  to  respective  pursuits;  and  this 
strong  propensity  is  what  we  mean  by  genius. 
Milton  did  not  write  his  Paradise  Lost ;  nor 
Homer  his  Iliad;  nor  Newton  lus  Principia, 
without  immense  labor. 

Light  grief  is  proud  of  state,  and  courts  compassion ; 
But  there's  a  dignity — in  cureless  sorrow, 
A  sullen  grandeur,  which  disdains  complaint; 
Rage  is  for  little  wrongs — despair — is  dumb. 
Let  coward  guilt,  with  pallid  fear, 

To  sheltering  caverns  fly, 
And  justly — dread  the  vengeful  fate, 

That  thunders  through  the  sky. 
Protected  by  that  hand,  whose  law. 

The  threatening  storms  obey, 
Intrepid  virtue — smiles  secure, 
As  in  the  blaze  of  day. 
Varieties.  1.  When  you  can  do  it,  with- 
out injury  to  truth  and  mercy,  always  avoid 
a  quarrel  and  a  lawsuit.  '2.  When  the  foun- 
dation of  our  hope  is  assailed,  ought  we  not 
to  contend,  earnestly,  for  the  faith  once  deliv- 
ered to  the  saints?  3.  When  there  is  a  right 
desire,  and  an  untiring  industry,  there  will, 
eventually,  be  the  reward  of  light.  4.  They, 
who  understand  most  of  a  subject,  will  be  ve- 
ry indulgent  to  those,  who  know  but  little  of 
it.  5.  If  we  are  unwilling  to  do  anything  for 
ourselves,  how  can  we  expect  others  will  do 
much  for  us  1  6.  Every  deceiver,  whether  by 
word,  or  deed,  is  a  liar,-  and  no  one,  that  has 
been  once  deceived  by  him,  will  fail  to  shun, 
if  not  despise  him. 

Whether  present,  or  absent,  you  always  appear, 

A  youth — most  bewiichingly  pleasant, 
For  when  you  are  present,  you're  absent — my  dearj 

And  when  you  are  absent — you're  present. 
How  charming — is  divine  philosophy .' 
Not  harsh  and  crabbed,  as  dull  fools  suppose, 
But  musical  as  is  Apollo's  lute. 
And  a  perpetual  feast — ofnectar'd  sweets, 
Where  no  crude  surfeit  reigns. 
Seeming  devotion  doth  but  gild  the  knave, 
That's  neither/aitf/KZ.  honest,  just  nor  brave; 
But  where  religion  doth — with  virtue  join, 
It  makes  a  hero — like  an  an?:!  shine. 


220 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


537.  Remorse, 
or  a  painful  sense 
of  guilt,  casts  down 
the  countenance, 
and  clouds  it  with 
anxiety ;  hangs 
down  the  head; 
draws  down  the 
eye-b  rows;  the 
right  hand  beats 
the  breast ;  the 
teeth  gnashes  with 
anguish,  and  the 
whole  body  i  s 
strained,  and  vio- 
lently agitated :  if 
strong  remorse  is 
succeeded  by  the 
more  gracious  dis- 
position of  penitence,  or  contrition,  the  eyes  are 
raised,  (tho'  with  great  appearance  of  doubting 
and  fear,)  to  the  throne  of  mercy,  and  immediately 
cast  down  again  to  the  earth;  then  floods  of  tears 
are  seen  to  flow;  the  knees  are  bended,  or  the 
body  prostrated  on  the  ground ;  the  arms  are 
spread  in  a  suppliant  posture,  and  the  voice  of 
deprecation  is  uttered  with  sighs  and  groans, 
timidity,  hesitation,  and  trembling.  The  engra- 
ving indicates  a  noble  mind  in  distress. 

The  heart, 
Pierced  with  a  sharp  remorse  for  guilt, 
Disdains  the  costly  poverty  of  hecatombs, 
And  offers  the  best  sacrifice — itself. 
Blest  tears — of  sou\-fe\\.-penitence  ! 

In  whose  benign,  redeeming  flow — 
Is  felt  Xh^  first, — the  only  sense — 

Of  guiltless  joy — that  guilt  can  know. 
Go,  maiden,  weep — the  tears  of  woe, 

By  beauty — to  repentance  given, 
Though  bitterly— on  earth  they  flow, 

Shall  turn  to  fragrant  balm — in  Heaven! 

538.  Security — diminishes  the  passions;  the 
mind,  when  left  to  itself,  immediately  languishes  ; 
and.  in  order  to  preserve  its  ardor,  must  be  every 
moment  supported  by  a  new  flow  of  passion.  For 
the  same  reason,  despair,  though  contrary  to  secu- 
rity, lias  a  like  influence. 

539.  Raillery,  in  sport,  without  real  animosi- 
ty, puts  on  the  aspect  of  cheerfulness,  and  some- 
times a  kind  of  simple  laughter, — and  the  tone  of 
voice  is  sprightly.  With  contempt  or  disgust,  it 
casts  a  look  as<[iiinl  from  time  to  time,  at  the  ob- 
ject, and  quits  the  cheerful  aspect,  for  one  mixed 
between  an  affected  grin  and  sourness  :  the  upper 
lip  is  drawn  up  with  a  smile  of  disdain :  the 
arms  sometimes  set  a-kimbo  on  the  hips,  and  the 
right  hand  now  and  then  thrown  out  towards  the 
object,  as  if  they  were  going  to  strike  one  a  back- 
handed blow  ;  voice  rather  loud,  arch  and  mean- 
ing; sentences  short,  expressions  satirical,  with 
wioci-praise  occasionally  intermixed. 

You  have  done  that,  which  youshould  be  sorry  for. 

There  is  no  terror,  Cassias,  in  your  threats  ; 

For  I  am  arm'd  so  strong  in  honesty, 

That  they  pass  by  me  as  the  idle  wind, 

Which  I  respect  not.    I  did  send  to  you, 

Fur  certain  sums  of  gold,  which  you  denied  me; 

For  I  can  raise  no  money  by  vile  means. 

No — Cassius,  I  had  rather  coin  my  heart, 

And  drop  my  blood  for  drachmas,  than  to  ivring — 

From  the  hard  hands  of  peasants,  their  vile  trash, 

By  any  indirection.  I  did  send 

To  you  for  gold — to  pay  my  legions; 

Which  you  denied  me;  was  that  done,  like  Cassius? 


Should  J— have  answered  Caius  Cassius  thus? 
When  Marcus  Brutus — grows  so  covetous, 
To  lock  such  rascal-counters  from  his  friends, 
Be  ready — gods,  with  all  your  thunderbolts, 
Dash  him  to  pieces ! 

Anecdote.  A  young  gentleman,  (the  son 
of  his  Majesty's  printer,  who  had  the  patent 
for  publishing  Gibbon's  works,)  made  his  ap- 
pearance, at  an  assembly,  dressed  in  green 
and  gold.  Being  a  new  face,  and  extremely 
elegant,  though  he  was  not  overstocked  with 
sense,  he  attracted  much  attention,  and  a  gen- 
eral murmur  prevailed,  to  know  who  he  was. 
A  lady  replied,  loud  enough  to.be  heard  by  the 
stranger,  "Oh!  don't  you  know  him?  It  is 
young  Gibbon,  bound  in  calf,  and  gilt ;  but 
not  lettered." 

Seeing  Riglit.  He,  only,  sees  well,  who 
sees  the  whole,  in  the  parts,  and  the  jmrfs,  in 
the  ivhole.  I  know  but  three  classes  of  men ; 
those  who  see  the  whole,  those  who  see  but  a 
part,  and  those  who  see  both  together. 

"Varieties.  1 .  He,  who  lives  well,  and  be- 
lieves aright,  will  he  saved ;  but  he,  who  does 
not  live  well,  and  believe  aright,  cannot  be 
saved.  2.  Let  times  be  ever  so  good,  if  you 
are  slothful,  you  will  be  in  want:  but  let 
times  he  ever  so  bad,  if  you  are  diligent  in 
the  performance  of  duty,  you  will  prosper. 
3.  The  reptile,  in  human  form,  should  be 
avoided  with  great  care.  4.  If  the  sun  is  to 
be  seen  by  its  own  light,  must  not  the  truth 
be  seen  in  like  manner  ?  The  soundest  ar- 
gument will  produce  no  more  conviction  in 
an  empty  head,  than  the  most  superficial  dec- 
lamation ;  as  a.  feat  her  and  a  guinea  will  fall 
with  equal  velocity,  in  a  vacuum.  5.  As 
light — has  no  color,  water — no  taste,  and 
air — no  odor,  so,  knowledge  should  be  equal- 
ly pure,  and  without  admixture.  6.  We 
should  have  a  glorious  conflagration,  if  all, 
who  cannot  put  fire  into  their  books,  would 
consent  to  put  their  books  into  the  fire.  7. 
The  union  of  truth  and  goodness — is  like 
that  of  water  and  fire,  which  nothing  can 
resist. 

As  up  the  tower  of  knowledge  slow  we  rise, 
How  wide  and  fair  the  opening  prospect  lies  ! 
But  while  the  view  expands,  the  path  grows  steeper, 
The  steps  more  slippery,  and  the  chasm  's  deeper  : 
Then  why  climb  on?  Not  for  the  prospect's  beaut}', 
Not  for  the  triumph,  but  because  'tis  duty. 
What  thing  is  love,  which  naught  can  countervail? 

Naught  save  itself,  ev'n  such  a  thing  is  love. 
And  worldly  wealth  in  worth  as  far  doth  fail, 
As  lowest  earth  doth  yield  to  heav'n  above. 
Divine  is  love,  and  scorneth  worldly  pelf, 
And  can  be  bought  with  nothing  but  with  self. 
We  see  but  half  the  causes  of  our  deeds, 
Seeking  them  wholly  in  the  outer  life, 
And  heedless  of  the  encircling  spmt-woTld, 
Which,  tho'  unseen,  is  felt,  and  sows  in  us 
All  gems  of  pure,  and  worW-wide  purposes. 
O fortune!  thou  canst  not  divide 
Our  bodies  so,  but  that  our  hearts  are  tied, 
And  we  can  love  by  letters  still,  and  gifts, 
And  dreams. 

It  is  in  vain,  that  we  would  coldly  gaze — 
On  such  as  smile  upon  us  ;  the  heart — must 
Leap  kindly  back — to  kindness. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


221 


540.  Reproving  —  puts  on  a  stern  aspect; 
roughens  the  voice,  and  is  accompanied  with  ges- 
tures, not  differing  much  from  thai  of  threatening, 
but  not  so  lively;  it  is  like  reproach,  (which  see,) 
but  without  the  sourness  and  ill-nature. 

Illustration-.  What  right  have  you,  to 
waste  your  time,  which  is  the  state's ;  your 
health,  which  makes  time  wort  hf til,  and  the 
life  of  goodness  in  you,  which  makes  living 
all  your  acts  ?  Answer  me — what  right  have 
you  to  wrong  yourself,  and  all  the  world? 
How  comes  it,  Cassio,  you  are  thus/orgoi/ 
That  you  unlace  your  reputation  thus, 
And  spend  your  rich  opinion — for  the  name, 
Of  a  night  brawler?    Give  me  answer  to  it. 

RESIGNATION. 

Yet,  yet  endure,  nor  murmur,  O  my  soul ;       [less  ? 
For,  are  not  thy  transgressions  great  and  number- 
Do  they  not  cover  thee — like  rising  foods  ? 
And  press  thee — like  a  weight  of  maters  down  ? 
Does  not  the  hand  of  righteousness — afflict  thee? 
And  who — shall  plead  against  it?  who  shall  say — 
To  Power  Almighty,  thou  hast  done  enough  ; 
Or  bid  his  dreadful  rod  of  vengeance  stay  ? 
Wail  then,  with  patience,  till  the  circling  hours 
Shall  bring  the  time — of  thy  appointed  rest, 
And  lay  thee  down — in  death. 

Duties  of  Society.  Every  right  pro- 
duces a  corresponding  duty :  hence,  may  be 
inferred  the  positive  duty  of  society,  to  give 
eoery  individual,  born  in  its  bosom,  an  ade- 
quate education.  For  if  society  lias  a  right  to 
the  services  of  every  one  of  its  members, — 
this  right  necessarily  involves  some  duties ; 
and  what  can  that  duty  more  directly  be,  than 
that  society  should  give  to  all  its  children, 
such  an  education,  as  will  fit  them  for  the 
services  it  intends  to  exact  from  them  in  after 
life  1  And  if  parents  are  unable  to  give  their 
children  such  an  education,  it  is  the  duty  of 
society  to  assist  them ;  and  if  they  are  un- 
willing, society  ought  to  take  the  place  of 
parents,  and  perform  the  duty  of  the  parents. 
No  one  can  violate  the  laws  of  God,  nor  the 
government  of  the  world,  with  impunity; 
and  the  more  sacred  the  trust,  the  more  ter- 
rible will  be  the  effects  of  a  disregard  of  them. 

Each  substance  of  a  grief — hath  twenty  shadoivs, 
Which  shoiv  like  grief  itself,  but  are  not  so : 
For  sorrow's  eye,  glazed  with  blinding  tears, 
Divides  one  thing  entire — to  many  objects; 
Like  perspectives,  which,  rightly  gazed  upon, 
Show  nothing  but  confusion  ;  eyed  awry, 
Di  stinguish  form. 

Too  Common.  Envy,  hatred,  malice, 
and  wncharitabU  ness.  How  -melancholy  and 
i  nding — to  reflect  upon  the  vast  num- 
ber ofprofessing  christians — of  all  orders,  who 
show,  by  their  deeds,  that  they  are  under  the 
influence  of  those  infernal  passions,-  altho' 
in  their  sabbath  devotions,  they  may  pray 
against  them  with  their  lips,  wad  entreat  their 
Maker  to  enable  them  to  keep  the  law  which 
says,  "Thou  shalt  not  bear  false  witness 
against  thy  neighbor."  Let  a  man  of  one 
branch  of  the  church,  leave  it,  even  from  the 
best  of  motives,  and  join  another,  which  hap- 
pens to  differ  from  It  in  religious  belief,  and 
how  soon  the  air  is  rent  with  the  political  cry, 
"  Shoot  the  deserter."  Nothing  seems  too  bad 
for  the  disaffected  to  say  about  their  marked 

t2 


victim;  whose  departure  from  them  tacitly 
calls  in  question  the  infallibility  of  their  doc- 
trims,  and  thereby  wounds  their  self-love, 
which  makes  them  care  more  for  their  party, 
than  for  the  progress  of  truth.  What  is  the 
character,  business,  peace  and  happiness  of  the 
supposed  offender,  to  them,  when  bent  on  his 
destruction?  Alas!  how  unlike  the  conduct 
of  the  true  christian  !  Thus  is  seen  the  rot- 
tenness of"  profession,  without  principle.'" 

Dead  Languages.  That  man  must  have  a 
strange  value  for  words,  when  he  can  think  it 
worth  while  to  hazard  the  innocence  and  virtue  of 
his  son  for  a  \\U\eGreek  and  Latin ;  whilst  lie  should 
be  laying  the  solid  foundations  of  knowledge  in  his 
mind,  and  furnishing  it  with  just  rules  to  direct  his 
future  progress  in  life. — Locke. 

Anecdote.  Bandies.  As  lady  Montague 
was  walking  through  a  public  garden  with  a 
party,  she  was  very  much  annoyed  by  an 
impertinent  coxcomb,  who  was  continually 
making  some  foolish  observation.  On  ap- 
proaching one  of  the  temples,  over  which 
there  was  a  Latin  inscription,  she  took  ad- 
vantage of  it,  to  expose  his  ignorance,  in  the 
hope  of  putting  him  to  silence.  "  Pray  sir," 
said  sho,  "  be  kind  enough  to  explain  that  in- 
scription to  us."  "Madam,"  said  he,  with  an 
affected  air,  "  I  really  do  not  know  what  it 
means,  for  I  see  it  is  dog  Latin."  "  How 
very  extraordinary  it  is,"  said  lady  Mary, 
"  that  puppies  should  not  understand  their 
own  language." 

IMAGINATION. 

The  lunatic,  the  lover,  and  the  poet, 

Are,  of  imagination,  all  compact: 

One — sees  more  devils,  than  vast  hell  can  hold  ; 

That — is  the  madman:  the  lover,  all  as  frantic, 

Sees  Helen's  beauty — in  a  brow  of  Egypt: 

The  poet's  eye,  in  a  fine ■.  frenzy  rolling,       [heaven; 

Doth  glance  from  heaven  to  earth,  from  earth  to 

And,  as  imagination  bodies  forth 

The  forms  of  things  unknown,  the  poet's  pen 

Turns  them  to  shapes,  and  gives  to  airy  nothing, 

A  local  habitation,  and  a  name. 

Such  tricks  hath  strong  imagination; 

That,  if  it  would  but  apprehend  some  joy, 

It  comprehends  some  bringer  of  that  joy ; 

Or,  in  the  night,  imagining  some  fear, 

How  easy  is  a  bush — supposed  a  bear  ? 

An  honest  soul — is  like  a  ship  at  sea, 

That  sleeps  at  anchor — upon  the  occasion's  calm ; 

But,  when  it  rages,  and  the  wind  blows  high, 

She  cuts  her  way — 'with  skill  and  majesty. 

Varieties.  1.  What  is  the  difference  be- 
tween acute  and  chronic  disease]  2.  It  is 
folly  for  an  eminent  man  to  think  of  escap- 
ing censure,z.nA  a  weakness  to  be  affected  by 
it.  3.  If  we  had  it  in  our  power  to  gratify 
every  wish,  we  should  soon  feel  a  surfeit.  4. 
When  anything  below  God — is  the  s'ujiremc 
object  of  our  love,  at  some  time  or  other,  it 
will  be  an  object  of  sorrow.  5.  Truth — is  its 
own  witness,  and  fears  not  a  free  and  irnpax- 
tial  examination ;  it  seeks  to  be  seen  in  its 
own  resplendent  brightness.  6.  By  confes- 
sing our  faults  to  others,  we  contribute  very 
much  towards  putting  them  away,  and  con- 
firming oxuselvea  against  them.  7.  Which 
is  worse — to  worship  the  irorks  of  our  own 
hands,  or  the  creations  of  our  own  imagina 
lions  ? 


222 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


541.    Scorn-, 

is  negligent  an- 
ger: il  insinuates 
therefore,  by  a 
voluntary  slack- 
ness, or  disarm- 
ing of  the  nerves, 
a  known,  or  con- 
cluded essence 
of  all  power  in 
the  united  ob- 
ject, e  v  e  n  to 
make  t  h  e  de- 
fence seem  necessary  :  and  the  unbraced  muscles 
are  assisted  inthis  show  of  conlemptuousdisregard, 
by  an  affected  smile  upon  the  eye,  because  slack 
aerves,  if  at  the  same  time  the  looks  were  also  lan- 
guid, would  too  much  resemble  sorrow,  or  even 
tear;  whereas,  the  purpose  is  disdain  and  insult: 
and  tho'  in  more  provoking  serious  cases,  where 
scorn  admits  disturbance,  it  assumes  some  sense 
of  anger,  it  must  still  retain  the  slack  unguarded 
languor  of  the  nerves,  lest  it  should  seem  to  have 
conceived  impressions  of  some  estimable  and  im- 
portant weightiness,  where  its  design  is  utter  dis- 
regard and  negligence. 

Age,  thou  art  shamed; 
Rome,  thou  hast  lost  the  breed  of  noble  bloods  ; 
When  went  there  by  an  age,  since  the  sun  shone, 
But  it  was  famed  with  more  than  one  man  ? 
When  could  they  say,  till  now,  who  talked  of  Rome, 
That  her  wide  walls — encompassed  but  one  man  ! 

543.  Language  of  Feeling.  There  is 
an  original  element  in  our  natures,  a  connec- 
tion between  the  senses,  the  mind  and  the 
heart,  implanted  by  the  Creator,  for  pure  and 
noble  -purposes,  which  cannot  be  reasoned 
away.  You  cannot  argue  men  out  of  their 
senses  and  feelings ;  and,  after  having  wea- 
ried yourself  and  others,  by  talking  about 
books  and  history,  set  your  foot  upon  the 
spot,  where  some  great  and  memorable  ex- 
ploit was  achieved,  especially,  with  those 
whom  you  claim  kindred,  and  your  heart 
sivells  within  you.  You  do  not  now  reason ; 
you  feel  the  inspiration  of  the  place.  Your 
cold  philosophy  vanishes,  and  you  are  ready 
to  put  oft'  your  shoes  from  your /erf;  for  the 
place  whereon  you  stand  is  holy.  A  lan- 
guage which  letters  cannot  shape,  which 
a m, > ds  cannot  convey,  speaks,  not  to  the 
head,  but  to  the  hearty  not  to  the  understand- 
ing, but  to  the  affections. 

The  player's  profession, 

Lies  not  in  trick,  or  attitude,  or  start, 
Nature's  true  knowledge  is  the  only  art, 
The  strong-felt  passion  bolts  into  his  face; 
The  mind  unlouch'd,  what  is  it  but  grimace  ! 
To  this  one  standard,  make  your  just  appeal, 
1  Fere  I  es  the  golden  secret,  learn  to  feel: 
Or  fool,  or  monarch,  happy  or  distress'd, 
No  actor  pleases  that  is  not  possessed. 

A  E  .1"'  ■  look  i narks  the  internal  woe, 

Than  all  the  windings  of  the  lengthening  oh  ! 
Up  to  the  face  the  quick  sensation  flics, 
And  darts  its  meaning  from  the  speaking  eyes  ; 
Love,  transport,  madness,  anger,  scorn,  despair, 
And  all  the  passions,  all  the  soul  is  there. 

Thoughts!  what  are  they  ? 

They  are  my  constant  friends; 

Who,  when  harsh  fate  its  dull  brow  bends, 

Uncloud  me  with  a  smiling  ray, 

And,  in  the  depth  of  midnight,  force  a  day. 


Anecdote.  To  a  man  of  exalted  mind, 
the  forgiveness  of  injuries,  is  productive  of 
more  pleasure  and  satisfaction,  than  obtain- 
ing vengeance.  The  Roman  emperor,  Adri- 
an, who  was  skilled  in  all  the  accomplish- 
ments of  body  and  mind,  one  day  seeing  a 
person,  who  had  injured  him.  in  his  former 
station,  thus  addressed  him,  "You  are  safe 
now;  I am  emperor  ." 

Braying.  There  are  braying  me n  in  the 
world  as  well  as  braying  asses  ;  for,  what's 

loud  and  senseless  talking,  huffing,  and 
swearing,  any  other  then  a  more  fashionable 
way  of  braying? 

Varieties.  1.  Idlers  —  should  leave  the 
industrious  to  their  labor,  and  visit  only  those 
who  are  as  idle  as  themselves.  2.  There  are 
some  minds,  which,  like  the  buzzard's  eye, 
can  pass  heedlessly  over  the  beauties  of  na- 
ture, and  see  nothing  but  the  carcase,  rotting 
in  the  corner.  3.  He,  is  well  constituted,  who 
grieves  not  for  what  he  has  not,  and  rejoices 
for  that  he  has.  4.  True  ease  in  writing, 
speaking  and  singing,  comes  from  art,  not 
chance.  6.  When  once  a  man  falls,  all  will 
tread,  on  him.  7.  The  action  should  always 
keep  time  with  the  emphasis  and  the  voice  : 
it  should  be  the  result  of  fee  ling,  not  of 
thought. 

His  words  werejire,  both  light  and  heat !    At  once 
With  zeal  they  warmed  us  and  convine'd  withrea- 
I  had  read  and  heard  of  eloquence  before,       [son. 
How  :t  is  despotic — takes  the  heart  by  storm, 
Where'er  the  ramparts,  prejudice,  or  use, 
Environ  it  withal  ;  how,  'fore  its  march, 
Stony  resolves  have  given  way  like  fax  ; 
How  it  can  raise,  or  lay,  the  mighty  surge 
Of  popular  commotion,  as  the  wind, 
The  tcave  that  frets  the  sea — but,  till  to-day, 
I  never  proved  its  power.    When  he  began, 
A  thousand  hearers  pricked  their  ears  to  list. 
With  each  a  different  heart ;  when  he  left  off, 
Each  man  could  tell  his  neighbor's  by  his  own. 
Rage — is  the  shortest  passion  of  our  souls. 
Like  narrow  brooks,  that  rise  with  sudden  sftotoVj, 
It  swells  in  haste,  and  falls  again  as  soon. 
Still,  as  it  ebbs,  the  softer  thoughts  flow  in, 
And  the  deceiver — love — supplies  its  place. 

VIRTUE   THE   BEST  TREASURE. 

Virtue,  the  strength  and  beauty  of  the  soul, 
Is  the  best  gift  of  Heav'n  :  a  liappiness — 
That,  even  above  the  smiles  and  frowns  of  fate, 
Exalts  great  nature's/aeon'/os  .•  a  wealth 
That  ne'er  encumbers  ;  nor  to  baser  hands 
Can  be  transferr'd.    It  is  the  only  good — 
Man  justly  boasts  of,  or  can  call  his  own. 
Riches — are  oft  by  guilt  and  baseness  earu'd. 
But  for  one.  end,  one  OT!/Wt-ncglected  use, 
Are  riches  worth  our  care;  (for  nature's  wants 
Arefew,  and  without  opulence  supplied;) 
This  noble  end  is — to  produce  the  soul: 
To  show  the  virtues  in  their  fairest  light; 
And  make  humanity — the  minister 
Of  bounteous  Providence. 

I  stand — as  one  upon  a  rock, 
Environ'd — with  a  wilderness  of  sea; 
Who  marks  the  waxing  tide— -grow  wave  hyivave, 
Expecting  ever,  when  some  env'ous  surge 
Will,  in  his  brinish  bowels,  swalfno  him. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


223 


54r3.  Shame — or  a  sense  of  appearing  to  a  dis- 
advantage,  before   one's   fellow-creatures,  turns 
away  the  face  from  the  beholders.  rmiTS  it  with 
blushes,  hangs  the  head,   casta  down   the  eyes, 
draws  down  and  contracts  the  eye  brows;  either 
strikes  the  person  dumb,  or,  if  he  attempts  to  say 
anything,  in  his  own  defence,  causes  his  tongue  to 
falter,  confounds  his  utterance,  and  puts  him  upon 
making  s  thousand  gestures  and  grimaces,  to  keep 
himself  in  countenance :  all  which  only  heightens 
his  confusion  and  embarrassment. 
Oh  my  dread  Lord — 
I  should  be  guiltier— than  my  guiltiness, 
To  think — I  can  live  undiscernibU, 
When  I  perceive  your  grace,  like  power  divine, 
Hath  looked  upon  my  passes  ;  then,  good  prince, 
No  longer  session— hold  upon  my  shame, 
But  let  my  trial — be  my  own  confession; 
Immediate  sentence  then,  and  sequent  death, 
Is  all  the  grace  I  beg. 

Hard  Questions.  In  every  step,  which 
reason  takes  in  demonstrative  knowledge, 
must  there  be  intuitive  certainty  P  Does  the 
power  of  intuition,  imply  that  of  reasoning, 
when  combined  with  the  faculty  of  memory? 
In  examining  those  processes  of  thought, 
which  conduct  the  mind,  by  a  series  of  con- 
sequences, from  premises  to  a  conclusion;  is 
there  any  intellectual  act  whatever,  which 
the  joint  operation  of  memory,  and  what  is 
called  intuition,  does  not  sufficiently  ex- 
plain  ?  What  is  the  distinction  between  the 
elements  of  reasoning,  and  the  principles  of 
reasoning !  If  the  elements  of  reasoning  are 
employed  to  connect  the  concatenations  in 
an  argument ;  and  if  an  argument  could  not 
be  made  without  the  elements  of  reasoning; 
does  it  follow,  that  the  elements  of  reasoning- 
imply  the  principles  of  reasoning]  If,  in 
every  step  which  reason  takes  in  demonstra- 
tive knowledge,  there  must  be  intuitive  cer- 
tainty, does  this  necessarily  imply  anything 
more,  than  that,  without  the  intuitive  power, 
we  could  not  know  when  one  link  in  the 
chain  was  completed  1 

544.  SURrRISE  AT  unexpected  events. 
Gone  to  be  married;  gone  to  swear  a  peace! 
False  blood  to./a&eblood  joined !  Gone  to  befriends! 
Shall  Lewis  have  Blanch?  and  Blanch  these  pro- 
It  is  not  so :  thou  hast  mis-spoke,  mis-heard  ?  [vinces  ? 
Be  well  advised,  tell  o'er  thy  tale  again: 
It  cannot  be  !  thou  dost  but  say  'tis  so ; 
What  dost  thou  mean  by  shaking  of  thy  head? 
What  means  that  hand — upon  that  breast  of  thine? 
Why  holds  thine  eye — that  lamentable  rheum, 
Like  a  proud  river — peering  o'er  his  bounds  ? 
Be  theco  sad  sighs— confirmers  of  thy  words? 
Then  speak  again  ;  not  all  thy  former  tale, 
But  this  one  ivord — whether  thy  tale  be  true? 

Anecdote.  To  Cure  Sore  Eyes.  "  Good- 
morning,  landlord,"  said  a  man  the  other 
day,  as  he  stepp  xl  into  a  tavern  to  get  some- 
thing to  drink.  "  Good-morning,  sir,"  replied 
mine  host ;  "  how  do  you  do  1"  "  Oh,  I  don't 
know,"  said  the  man,  raising  his  goggles,  and 
wiping  away  the  rheum ;  "  I'm  plagued  most 
to  death  with  these  ere  pesky  sore  eyes.  I 
wish  you'd  tell  me  how  to  cure  'em."  "  Wil- 
lingly," said  the  merry  host.  "  Wear  your 
foggles  over  your  mouth,  wash  your  eyes  in 
randy,  and  I'll  warrant  a  cure." 

Vice — oft  is  hid  in  virtue's  fair  disguise, 

And,  in  her  honored  form — escapes  inquiring  eyes. 


Modesty  in  a  man  is  never  to  be  allowed  as 
a  good  quality,  but  a  weakness,  if  it  suppresses  his 
virtue,  and  hides  it  from  the  world,  when  he  has, 
at  the  same  time,  a  mind  to  exert  himself.  A  mod- 
est person  seldom  fails  to  gain  the  good-will  of 
those  he  converses  with,  because  nobody  envies  a 
man,  who  does  not  appear  to  be  pleased  with 
himself. 

Miscellaneous.     1 .  It  is  a  striking  feature 
in  the  present  day,  that  men  are  more  and 
more  inclined  to  bring  old  sayings  and  doings 
to  the  test  of  questions,  as  these — what  do 
they  mean'!  and  what  for '!  and  consequent- 
ly, are  beginning  to  awake  from  a  long  men- 
tal sleep,  and  to  assert  their  right  to  judge  and 
act  for  themselves.    2.  Great  hinderance  to 
good  is  often  found  in  the  want  of  energy  in 
the  character,  arising  from  an  individual  not 
having  accustomed  himself  to  try  and  do  his 
best,  on  all  occasions.    3.  Whoever  would 
become  a  person  of  intelligence  and  prud- 
ence, in  any  of  the  departments  of  life,  must 
early  accustom  himself  and  herself  to  look 
for  the  meaning  of  his  own  and  others'  say- 
ings; and  consider  well  the  end  and  object  of 
his  own,  and  others'  doings. 
For  often  vice — provok'd  to  shame — 
Borrou's  the  color — of  a  virtuous  deed : 
Thus,  libertines — are  chaste,  and  misers — good, 
A  coward — valiant. 
That  holy  Shame,  which  ne'er  forgets 

What  clear  renown — it  used  to  wear; 
Whose  blush  remains,  when  Virtue  sets, 
To  show  her  sunshine — has  been  there. 

A  flush,        [cheek, 
(As  shame,  deep  shame,  had  once  burnt  on  her 
Then  linger'd  there  forever)  look'd  like  health 
Offering  hope,  vain  hope,  to  the  pale  lip; 
Like  the  rich  crimson — of  the  evening  sty, 
Brightest — when  night  is  coming. 
Wise  men — ne'er  sit  and  wail  their  loss, 
But  cheerly  seek  how  to  redress  their  harms, 
What  tho'  the  mast — be  now  blown  over-board, 
The  cable  broke,  the  holding  anchor  lost, 
And  half  our  sailors  swallow'd  inthe^ooiZ' 
Yet  lives  our  pilot  still  :  Is  't  meet,  that  he 
Should  leave  the  helm,  and,  like  a  fearful  lad, 
With  tearful  eyes,  add  water  to  the  sea, 
And  give  more  strength  to  tli  at  which  hath  too  much; 
Whiles,  in  his  moan,  the  ship  splits  on  the  rock, 
Which  industry — and  courage— might  have  sav'd? 
Varieties.    1.  It  is  wrong  to  affront  any- 
body; and  he  who  does  it,  must  expect  to  be 
paid  in  his  own  coin.    2.  Many  persons,  in 
easy  circumstances,  often  ruin  themselves, 
by  attempting  to  vie  with  the  rich.    3.  Do  not 
the  works  of  God,  as  well  as  his  Word — teach 
lessons  of  wisdom?    4.  Everything  tends  to 
produce  its  likeness ;  the  idle  make  their  as- 
sociates idle;  the  libertine — corrupts  the  in- 
nocent,-   the  quarrelsome  —  create    broils; 
gamesters — make  gamesters,  and  thieves, — 
thieves.    5.  Are  thinking  and  motion— all 
the  actions  of  which  we  can  conceive  1  think- 
ing — being  an  act  of  the  mind,  as  motion  is 
of  matter?    6.  Which  invention  is  more  im- 
portant, that  of  the  mariner's  compass,  or  the 
art  of  printing?    7.  When  we  truly  love 
God,  we  shall  also  love  one  another. 

The  real  patriot — bears  his  private  wrongs, 
Rather  than  right  them— at  the  public  cost. 


224 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


545.  Suspicion  :  Jealousy.  Fear  of  another's 
endeavoring  to  prevent  our  attainment  of  the  de- 
sired good,  raises  our  suspicion  ;  and  suspicion  of 
his  having  obtained,  or  likely  to  obtain  it,  raises, 
or  constitutes  jealousy.  Jealousy  between  the 
sexes — is  a  ferment  of  love,  hatred,  hope,  fear, 
shame,  anxiety  grief,  pity,  suspicion,  envy,  pride, 
rage,  cruelty,  vengeance,  sadness,  and  every  oth- 
er tormenting  passion,  which  can  agitate  the 
human  mind.  Therefore,  to  express  it  well, 
one  should  know  how  to  represent  all  these  pas- 
sions by  turns,  and  often  several  of  them  together  : 
it  shows  itself  by  restlessness,  peevishness,  thought- 
fulness,  anxiety,  and  absence  of  mind.  Some- 
times it  bursts  out  into  piteous  complaints  and 
weeping:  then  a  gleam  of  hope,  that  all  is  yet 
well,  lights  up  the  countenance  into  a  momenta- 
ry smile  :  immediately  the  face,  clouded  with  gen- 
eral gloom,  shows  the  mind  over-cast  again  with 
horrid  suspicions,  and  frightful  imaginations  ;  thus 
the  jealous — is  a  prey  to  the  most  tormenting  feel- 
ings, and  is  alternately  tantalized  with  hope,  and 
plunged  into  despair. 

Who  finds  the  heifer  dead,  and  bleeding  fresh, 
And  sees  fast  by  a  butcher  with  an  axe, 
But  will  suspect,  'twas  he  that  made  the  slaughter? 
Who  finds  the  partridge  in  the  puttock's  nest, 
But  may  imagine  how  the  bird  was  dead, 
Although  the  kite  soar  with  unbloodied  beak  ? 

546.  Haxds,  Feet  and  Arms.  Observe 
accurately,  the  different  positions  of  the  feet, 
hands,  arms,  &c.  of  the  oratorical  and  poet- 
ical engravings,  and  that  of  the  passions; 
and  study  out  the  various  causes,  or  subjects, 
and  states  of  thoughts  and  feelings,  prompt- 
ing them:  and,  in  imitating  them,  there 
will  often  be  stiggested  to  you  the  appropri- 
ate feeling  and  thought.  Each  engraving 
should  be  made  a  particular  subject  of  study  ; 
and  there  is  more  matter  on  a  page  of  en- 
gravings, than  on  any  printed  page;  but,  in 
speaking,  never  think  about  making  gestures ; 
let  them  be  the  result  of  unrestrained  feel- 
ing, and  they  will  be  more  likely  to  be  right  : 
guard,  sedulously  against  all  affectation,  and 
do  nothing  you  do  not  feel  and  think.  If 
these  hints  and  suggestions  are  not  of  use  to 
you,  more  would  be  of  but  little  service;  and 
to  illustrate  every  one,  and  many  more,  you 
will  And  an  abundance  of  examples  in  the 
work ,-  which  is  designed  for  those  who 
think. 

Would  he  were  fatter  ;  but  I  fear  him  not : 

Yes,  if  my  name  were  liablelo  fear, 

I  do  not  know  the  man,  I  should  avoid 

So  soon  as  this  spare  Cassius.     He  reads  much; 

He  is  a  great  observer,  and  he  looks 

Quite  through  the  deeds  of  men. 

He  loves  no  plays;  he  hears  no  music  ; 

Seldom  he  smiles  ;  and  smiles  in  such  a  sort, 

As  if  he  mocked  himself,  and  scorned  his  spirit, 

That  could  be  moved  to  smile  at  anything. 

Such  men  as  he,  be  never  at  heart's  ease, 

Whilst  they  behold  a  greater  than  themselves, 

And  therefore,  arc  they  very  dangerous. 

Anecdote.  Queen  Caroline,  having  ob- 
served that  her  daughter,  the  princess,  had 
made  one  of  the  ladies  about  her,  stand  a 
long  time,  while  the  princess  was  talking  to 
her,  on  some  trifling  subject,  was  resolved  to 
give  her  a  suitable  reprimand.  Therefore, 
when  the  princess  came,  in  the  evening,  to 
read  to  her  mother,  as  usual,  and  was  draw- 
ing a  chair  to  sit  down,  the  queen  said  to  her, 


No,  my  dear,  you  must  not  sit;  for  I  intend 
to  make  you  stand,  this  evening,  as  long  as 

you  made  lady  B remain  in  the  same 

position. 

Laconic.  There  is  no  difference  between 
knowledge  and  temperance;  for  he,  who  knows 
what  is  good,  and  embraces  it,  who  knows  what 
is  bad,  and  avoids  it,  is  learned  and  temperate.  But 
they,  who  know  very  well  what  ought  to  be  done, 
and  yet  do  quite  otherwise,  are  ignorant  and  stupid. 

"Varieties.  1.  What  is  the  difference  be- 
tween possessing  the  good  things  of  life,  and 
enjoying  them'!  2.  In  our  intercourse  with 
others,  we  should  ascertain  what  they  wish 
to  hear  ,•  not  what  we  wisli  to  say.  3.  True 
politeness  may  be  cherished  in  the  hovel,  as 
well  as  in  the  palace  ,■  and  the  most  tattered 
clothing,  cannot  conceal  its  charms.  4.  Is 
not  true  religion — eternally  the  same,  what- 
ever may  be  the  conduct  of  its  jyrtfessors? 
5.  Humility — learns  the  lessons  from  itself; 
while  it  never  scorns  the  instructions  of  oth- 
ers. 6.  Beauty — gains  nothing,  and  home- 
liness—  loses  much,  by  gaudy  attire.  7. 
Music — tends  to  harmonize  and  melodize 
the  affections  and  thoughts,  as  well  as  to  an- 
imate, and  lubricate  the  inventive  faculties. 
S.  Everything  that  originates  in  order,  is 
truth,  which  manifests  itself  by  virtue  of  its 
inherent  light.  9.  The  groves  and  the  woods 
are  the  musical  academies  of  the  singing 
birds.  10.  Time  and  space  are  confined  to 
matter. 

As  Nature  and  Garrick  were  talking  one  day, 

It  chanced  they  had  words,  and  fell  out  ; 
Dame  Reason  would  fain  have  prevented  a  fray, 

But  could  not,  for  both  were  so  stout. 
Says  Garrick,  I  honor  you,  madam,  'tis  true, 

And  with  pride,  to  your  laws,  I  submit ; 
But  Shakspeare  paints  sttonger  and  better  than  you, 

All  critics  of  taste  will  admit. 
How .'  Shakspeare  paint  better  and  stronger  than  i, 

(Cries  Nature,  quite  touch'd  to  the  soul ;) 
Not  a  word  in  his  volumes  I  ever  could  see, 

But  what  from  my  records  he  stole. 
And  thou,  wicked  thief, — nay,  the  story  I'll  hll, 

Whenever  I  paint,  or  I  draw, 
My  pencils  you  filch,  and  my  colors  you  steal, 

For  which  thou  shah  suffer  the  law ; 
And  when  on  the  stage,  in  full  lustre  you  shine, 

To  me  all  the  praise  shall  be  given : 
The  toil  shall  be  yours,  and  the  honor  be  mine, 

So  Nature  and  Garrick  are  even. 
Foul  jealousy,  that  turnest  love  divine 

To  joyless  dread,  and  mak'st  the  loving  heart 
With  hateful  thoughts  to  languish  and  to  pine, 

And  feed  itself  with  self-consuming  smart, 

Of  all  the  passions  in  the  mind,  thou  vilest  art. 
O,  let  him  far  be  banished  away, 

And  in  his  stead  let  love  forever  dwell ; 
Sweet  love,  that  doth  his  golden  wings  embay 

In  blessed  nectar,  and  pure  pleasure's  well, 

Untroubled  of  vile  fear  or  bitter  fell. 

The  soul  of  man — 
Createlh  its  own  destiny  of  power ; 
And,  as  the  trial, — is  intense  here, 
His  being — hath  a  nobler  strength  in  heaven. 
O  marriage  !  marriage!  what  a  curse — is  thine, 
Where  hands,  alone,  consent — and  hearts — abhor 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


225 


247.  Teaching,  Instructing.  Explaining. 
Inculcating,  or  Giving  Okdeks.  requires  a  mild, 
serene  air,  sometimes  approaching  to  an  authori- 
tative gravity ;  the  featun  s  I  gi  stares  altering 

according  to  the  age,  or  dignity  of  the  pupil,  or  au- 
dience, and  importance  of  the  subject  di 
To  youth,  it  should  be  mild,  open,  serene,  and  con- 
descending'.   To  etju;il>  and  superiors,  modest  and 
diffident;  but,  when  the  subject  is  of  great  dignity 

and  importance,  the  air  and  manner  of  ci ig 

the  instruction,  ought  10  be  firm  and  emphatical; 
the  eye  steady  and  open,  the  eyebrow  a  little 
drawn  over  it,  but  not  so  much  as  to  look  dogmat- 
ical; the  voice  strong,  steady,  clear;  the  articula- 
tion distinct;  the  utterance  slow,  and  the  manner 
approaching  to  confidence,  rather  peremptory. 

Pol.     Wlierefore,  gentle  maiden, 
Do  you  neglect  yourgiWy-flowers  and  carnations  ? 

Per.    I  have  heard  it  said, 
There  is  an  art,  which,  in  their  piedness,  shares 
With  great  creating  nature. 

Pol.    Say  there  be ; 
Yet  nature  is  made  better  by  no  mean, 
But  nature  makes  that  mean ;  so,  over  that  art, 
Which  you  say  adds  to  nature,  is  an  art 
Which  nature  makes;  you  see,  sweet  maid,  we 
A  gentler  scion  to  the  wildest  stock ;  [marry 

And  make  conceive  a  bark  of  baser  kind. 
By  bud  of  nobler  race.     This  is  an  art 
Which  does  mend  nature,  change  it  rather;  but 
The  art  itself  is  nature. 

548.  Language  of  the  Feet.  The  feet 
advance  or  retreat,  to  express  desire  or  aver- 
sion, love  or  hatred,  courage  or  fear,  dancing 
or  leaping, — is  often  the  effect  of  joy  and  ex- 
ultation,} stamping  of  the  feet  expresses 
earnestness,  anger  or  threatening.  Stability 
of  position  and  facility  of  change,  general  ease 
and  grace  of  action,  depend  on  the  right  use 
of  the  feet ;  see  the  whole  length  engravings, 
a  large  part  of  which  is  to  be  imitated,  not 
with  any  specifle  recitations  in  view,  but  for 
the  purpose  of  disciplining  the  limbs  and 
muscles. 


pitiable.  terror. 

The  buy-trees,  in  our  country,  are  all  wither1/!, 
And  meteors — fright  the  fixed  stars  of  heaven; 
The  pale-faced  moon— looks  bloody  on  the  earth, 
And  lean-look'd  prophets— whisper  fearful  change; 
Rich  men  look  sad,  and  ruffians  dance  and  leap, 
The  one,  in  fear  to  lose  what  they  enjoy, 
The  other,  to  enjoy — by  rage  and  war. 

Go  to  your  bosom  ; 
Knock  there;  and  ask  your  heart  what  it  doth  know 
That's  like  my  brother's  fault:  if  it  confess 
A  natural  guiltiness,  such  as  Ai's  is, 
Let  it  not  sound  a  thought  upon  your  tongue 
Against  my  brother. 

29 


Laconics.  1.  It  is  very  easy,  when  a  child 
asks  a  silly  question,  to  show  that  it  is  so:  and,  if 
the  question  cannot  be  answered,  it  is  better  to 
say  so  at  once ;  for  a  child  has  too  much  common 
perception  to  expect  that  his  parent  knows  ev'ry 
thing;  but  to  refuse  to  answer,  without  giving  a 
reason,  impresses  the  child,  that  his  parent  is  un- 
kind and  unreasonable.  2.  The  very  sight  of  a 
child  ought  to  inspire  a  parent,  or  teaciier,  with 
the  thought,  "What  can  I  say  to  be  useful  to  him? 
or  what  can  I  say  to  please  him?"  3.  The  habit 
of  talking  familiarly  and  usefully  to  his  children, 
to  each  according  to  his  capacity,  is  an  invaluable 
quality  in  a  parent,  and  its  exercise  will  be  de- 
lightful to  both.  4.  Let  it  be  a  rule  with  us,  in  all 
cases,  never  to  charge  want  of  charity,  except 
where  we  can,  from  a  want  of  justice. 

Anecdote.  Sir  Isaac  Newton — possessed 
a  remarkably  mild  and  even  temper.  On  a 
particular  occasion,  he  was  called  out  of  his 
study,  to  an  adjoining  apartment,  when  his 
favorite  little  dog,  named  Diamond,  threw 
down  a  lighted  lamp  among  his  papers,  and 
the  almost  finished  labors  of  many  ye ars,  were 
consumed  in  a  few  moments.  Sirlsaac  soon 
returned,  and  beheld,  with  great  mortification, 
his  irreparable  loss ;  but  he  only  exclaimed, 
with  his  usual  self-possession,  "0  Diamond, 
Diamond!  thou  little  knowest  the  mischief 
thou  hast  done." 

You  undergo  too  strict  a  paradox, 

Striving  to  make  an  ugly  deed  look  fair: 

Your  words  have  took  such  paiiu,  as  if  they  ]abor*d 

To  bring  manslaughter  into  form,  set  quarreling 

Upon  the  head  of  valor;  which,  indeed, 

Is  valor  misbegot,  and  came  into  the  world 

When  sects  and  factions  were  newly  born: 

He's  truly  valiant,  that  can  wisely  suffer 

The  worst,  that  man  can  breathe  ;  and  make  his  wrongs 

His  outsides  ;  wear  them,  like  his  raiment,  carelessly; 

And  ne'er  prefer  his  injuria  to  his  heart, 

To  bring  it  into  danger. 

If  wrongs  be  evils,  and  enforced,  us  kill, 

What  folly  'tis,  to  hazard  life  lor  ill? 

Varieties.  1 .  Is  toleration  a  duty  for  oth- 
ers, and  not  for  ourselves  ?  2.  One  blessing 
of  life,  my  dear  friend,  is — to  give.  3.  It  is  no 
proof  of  freedom  from  error,  that  we  are  acute 
in  distinguishing  the  errors  of  others;  this 
shows  that  all  reformers,  are  men  of  like  pas- 
sions with  ourselves.  4.  National  industry 
is  the  principal  thing,  that  can  make  a  nation 
great ;  it  is  the  vestal  fire,  which  we  must  keep 
alive,  and  consider  that  all  our  prosperity  is 
coupled  with  its  existence.  5.  If  we  are  fit 
for  heaven,  are  we  not  fit  for  earth  ?  6.  It  is 
better  to  live  contentedly  in  our  condition, 
than  to  affect  to  look  bigger  than  we  are,  by  a 
borrowed  appearance.  7.  Give  your  children 
education  rather  than  fine  clothes,  or  rich  food. 
8.  Love — never  reckons  ,■  the  mother  does  not 
run  up  a  milk  score  against  her  babe. 

Though  I  look  old,  yet  I  am  strong  and  lusty  : 
For,  in  my  youth,  I  never  did  apply 
Hot  and  rebellious  liquors  in  my  blood ; 
Nor  did  not,  with  unbashful  forehead,  woo 
The  means  of  weakness  and  debility; 
Therefore,  my  age — is  as  a  lusty  winter, 
Frosty,  but  kindly. 

Give  me  that  man 
That  is  not  passion's  slave,  and  I  will  wear  him 
In  my  heart's  core,  ay,  my  heart  of  heart. 


226 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


5  10.  Veneration.  In  religious  veneration, 
the  body  always  bends  forward,  as  if  ready  to 
prostrate  itself  before  Hie  Lord  of  Hosts  ;  the 
arms  are  spread  out.  but  modestly,  as  high  as  the 
breast,  and  the  hands  are  open ;  the  tone  of 
voice  is  submissive,  timid,  trembling,  weak,  sup- 
pliant ;  the  words  are  brought  nut.  with  a  visible 
anxiety,  approaching  to  hesitation  ;  they  are  few, 
and  slowly  pronounced  ;  nothing  of  vain  repeti- 
tion, haranguing,  flowers  of  rhetoric,  or  reflected 
figures  of  speech  ;  all  simplicity,  humility,  lowli- 
ness, such  as  become  a  worm  of  dust,  when  pre- 
suming  to  address  the  high  and  lofty  One,  who 
inhabiteth  Eternity  ;  yet  dwelleth  with  the  meek 
and  contrite  spirit,  that  tretnbleth  at  His  Word. 
In  intercession  for  our  fellow  creatures,  and  in 
thanksgiving,  we  naturally  assume  a  small  de- 
gree of  cheerfulness,  beyond  what  is  clothed  in 
confession  and  deprecation  :  all  affected  orna- 
ments in  speech  or  gesture,  in  devotion,  are 
very  censurable.    Example: 

Hail,  Source  of  Being!  Universal  Soul 
Of  heaven  and  earth!     Essential  Presence,  hail ! 
To  Thee — I  bend  the  knee  ;  to  Thee  my  thoughts 
Continual  climb  ;  who,  with  a  master  hand, 
Hast  the  great  whole  into  perfection  touched." 
Almighty  God, —  'tis  right, — 'tis  just, 
That  earthly  forms  should  turn  to  dust; 
But  oh  !  the  sweet — transporting  truth, 
The  soul — shall  bloom — in  endless  youth. 

550.  N  attjral  Language  or  the 
Ha>-]>s.  The  hand — has  a  great  share  in 
expressing  our  thoughts  and  feelings :  raising 
the  hands  towards"  heaven,  with  the  palms 
united,  expresses  devotion  and  supplication  ,- 
iv  ringing  them,  grief;  throwing  them  towards 
heaven,  admiration ;  dejected  hands,  despair 
and  amazement;  folding  them,  idleness; 
holding  the  fingers  intermingled,  musing  and 
though! fulness  ;  holding  them  forth  together, 
yielding  and  submission ;  lifting  them  and 
the  eyes  to  heaven,  solemn  appeal;  leaving 
the  hand  from  us, prohibition;  extending  the 
right  hand  to  any  one, peace, pity,  and  safety  ; 
scratching  the  head,  care  and  perplexing 
thought ;  laying  the  right  hand  on  the  heart, 
affection  and  solemn  affirmation  ;  holding 
up  the  thumb,  approbation ;  placing  the 
right  forefinger  on  tiie  lips  perpendicularly, 
bidding  silence,  &c.  &c.  In  these,  and  many 
other  ways,  are  manifested  our  sentiments 
and  passions  by  the  action  of  the  body :  but 
they  are  shown  principally  in  the  face,  and 
particularly  in  the  turn  of  the  eye,  and  the 
eyebrows,  and  the  infinitely  various  motions 
of  the  lips. 

551.  Wonder — is  inquisitive  fear:  and  as  it 
is  inquisitive,  it  is  steadfast,  and  demands  firm 
muscles  :  but  as  it  is  fear,  it  cannot  be  properly 
expressed  without  the  mark  of  apprehension  and 
alarm.  Were  this  alarm  too  much  disturbed, 
full  of  motion  and  anxiety,  it  would  then  be  Fear 
instead  of  Wonder,  and  would  carry  no  consis- 
tence, with  braced  muscles ;  it  is  therefore 
nerved,  because  inquisitive,  with  purpose  of  de- 
fence :  and  so,  this  application  of  alarm,  with  re- 
solution to  examine  steadfastly,  must  constitute 
a  nervous,  awful,  fixed  altentiveness,  and  give 
the  picture  of  the  passion  naturally.  The  effect 
of  wonder  is,  to  stop,  or  hold  the  mind  and  body 
in  the  states  and  positions  in  which  the  idea  or 
object  strikes  us. 

SaysthecflrrVitothe  moon,"  You're  a  pilf'ringjarfe, 
What  you  steal  from  the  sun,  is  beyond  all  be- 
Fair  Cynthia  replies,  "Hold  your  prate,      [lief;" 
The  partaker— \b  as  bad  as  the  thief." 


Anecdote.  The  benevolent  and  immortal 
John  Hoivurd,  a  celebrated  English  philan- 
thropist, having  settled  his  accounts,  at  the 
close  of  a  particular  year,  and  found  a  bal- 
ance in  his  favor,  proposed  to  his  wife  to  em- 
ploy it,  in  defraying  the  expenses  of  a  jour- 
ney to  London  ;  or  for  any  other  amusement 
she  might  prefer.  "What  a  pretty  cottage,'" 
she  replied,  "  would  this  build  for  a  poor 
family."  The  charitable  hint  met  his  appro- 
bation, and  the  money  was  laid  out  accord- 
ingly. 

No  more  thus  brooding  o'er  yon  heap, 

With  av'rice  painful  vigils  keep  ; 

Still  unenjoy'd  the  present  store, 

Still  endless  sighs  are  breath'd  for  more, 

Oh  !  quit  the  shadow,  catch  the  prize, 

Which  not  all  India's  treasure  buys  ! 

To  purchase  heaven,  has  gold  the  povv'r? 

Ca.li  gold  remove  the  mortal  hour  ? 

In  life,  can  love  be  bought  with  gold  ? 

Ate  friendship's  pleasures  to  be  sold? 

No — all  that's  worth  a  ivish — a  thought, 

Fair  virtue  gives,  unbrib'd,  unbought. 

Cease,  then,  on  trash  thy  hopes  to  bind; 

Let  nobler  views  engage  thy  mind. 

Varieties.  1.  When  we  are  polite  to 
others,  entirely  for  our  own  sakes,  we  are  de- 
ceitful ,-  for  nothing  selfish  has  truth  and 
goodness  in  it.  But  there  is  such  a  thing  as 
true  politeness,  always  kind,  never  deceitful. 
2.  The  outward  forms  of  politeness,  are  but 
the  expressions  of  such  feelings,  as  should 
dwell  in  every  human  heart.  3.  True  politeness 
is  the  spontaneous  movement  of  a  good  heart, 
and  an  observing  mind.  4.  Will  the  ruling 
propensities  of  the  parent,  be  transmitted  to 
the  child,  and  affect,  and  give  bias  to  his  char- 
acter? 5.  Foolish  people  are  sometimes  so 
ambitious  of  being  thought  wise,  that  they 
often  run  great  hazards  in  attempting  to  show 
themselves  such.  6.  Guilt  may  attain  tempo- 
ral splendor,  but  can  never  confer  real  happi- 
ness. 7.  The  principles,  which  your  reason 
and  judgment  approve,  avow  boldly,  and  ad- 
here to  steadfastly ;  nor  let  any  futse  notions 
of  honor,  or  pitiful  ambition  of  shining,  ever 
tempt  you  to  forsake  them. 

A  TALE  OF  WONDER. 

Now  the  laugh  shakes  the  hall,  and  the  ruddy 

Who,  who  is  so  merry  and  gay  1  [wine  flows  ; 
Lemona  is  happy,  for  little  she  knows 
Of  the  monster  so  grim,  that  lay  hush'd  in  repose, 

Expecting  his  evening  prey. 
While  the  music  play'd  sweet,  and,  with  tripping 

Bruno  dane'd  thro'  themaze  of  the  hall;  [so  light, 
Lemona  retir'd,  and  her  maidens  in  white, 
Led  her  up  to  her  chamber,  and  bid  her  good  night, 

Then,  went  down  again  to  the  hall. 
The  monster  of  blood — now  extended  his  claws, 

And  from  under  the  bed  did  he  creep ;  [paws  ; 
With  blood  a\\  besmear'd,  he  now  stretch'dout  his 
With  blood  all  besmear'd,  he  now  stretch'd  out 

To  feed — on  the  angel — asleep.  [his  jaws, 

He  seiz'd  on  a  vein,  and  gave  such  a  bite, 

And  he  gave,  with  his  fangs,  such  a  tug — 
She  shriek' d  !  Bruno  ran  up  the  stairs  in  a  fright; 
The  guests  follow'd  after,  when  bro't  to  the  light, 

"O  have  mercy!"  they  cried,  "what  a  BUO!n 

You'll  ne'er  convince  a  fool,  himself  is  so. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


227 


552.  Vexation,  occasioned  by  some  real  or 
imaginary  misfortune,  agitates  the  whole  frame  ; 
and,  besides  expressing  itself  with  looks,  tones. 
gestures  and  restlessness  of  perplexity,  adds  to 
these  complaint,  fretting,  lamentation,  and  re- 
morse. 

ON   NEGLECTING    ONE'S   DUTY. 

O  what  a  rogue  and  peasant  slave  am  I; 

Is  it  not  monstrous,  that  this  player  here, 

But  in  afiction,  in  a  dream  of  passion, 

Could  force  his  soul  so  to  his  own  counsel, 

That,  from  htr  working,  all  his  visage  warmed  ; 

Tears  in  his  eyes,  distraction  in  his  aspect, 

A  broken  voice,  and  his  whole  function  suiting, 

With  forms  to  his  conceit;  and  all  for  nothing  ; 

For  ffec-u-ba !  What 's  Hec-u-ba  to  him,  or  he,  to 

That  he  should  weep  for  her?  [Hecuba, 

553.  Language  or  the  Head.  Every 
part  of  the  body  contributes  to  express  our 
thoughts  and  affections ;  hence  the  necessity 
of  training  the  whole  man.  The  head  is  some- 
times erect,  denoting  courage,  or  firmness; 
at  others,  down,  or  reclined,  expressive  of  sor- 
row, grief  and  shame ;  again,  it  is  suddenly 
drawn  back,  with  an  air  of  disdain,  or  shaken, 
as  in  dissent;  or  brought  forward  in  assent; 
sometimes  it  shows,  by  a  significant  nod,  a 
particular  object,  or  person ;  threatens  by  one 
set  of  movements,  approves  by  another,  and 
expresses  suspicion  by  another.  Private 
practice  must  make  all  involuntary. 

As  yet — 'tis  midnight  deep.     The  weary  clouds, 

Slow  meeting,  mingle  into  solid  gloom. 

Now,  while  the  drowsy  world  lies  lost  in  sleep, 

Let  me  associate  with  the  serious  night, 

And  contemplation,  her  sedate  compeer; 

Let  me  shake  off  th'  intrusive  cares  of  day, 

And  lay  the  meddling  senses  all  aside. 

Where  now,  ye  lying  vanities  oilife! 

Ye  ever  templing,  ever  cheating  train! 

Where  are  you  ?iow?  and  what  is  your  amoxint? 

Vexation,  disappointment,  and  remorse. 

Sad,  sick'ning  thought!     And  yet,  deluded  man, 

A  scene  of  crude  disjointed  visions  past, 

And  broken  slumbers,  rises  still  resolv:d, 

With  new  flush'd  hopes,  to  run  the  giddy  round. 

554.  Language  of  the  Face.  The  face, 
being  furnished  with  a  great  variety  of  mus- 
cles, does  more  in  manifesting  our  thoughts 
and  fee! 'Dux,  than  the  whole  body  besides; 
so  far  as  silent  language  is  concerned.  The 
change  of  color — shows  anger  by  redness, 
fear — by  paleness,  and  shame — by  blushes; 
every  feature  contributes  its  portion.  The 
mouth  open,  shows  one  state  of  mind ;  closed, 
another,  and  gnashing  the  teeth  —  another. 
The  forehead  smooth,  and  eye-brows  easily 
arched,  exhibit  joy,  or  tranquillity  ;  mirth 
opens  the  mouth  towards  the  ears,  crisps 
the  nose,  half  shuts  the  eyes,  and  sometimes 
suffuses  i  hem  with  tears,-  the  front,  wrinkled 
into  frowns,  and  the  eye-brows  overhanging 
the  eyes,  like  clouds  fraught  with  tempests, 
show  a  mind  agitated  with  pity. 

There  is  a  history — in  all  men's  lives, 
Figuring  the  nature  of  the  times  deceased  : 
The  which  observed,  a  man  may  prophecy, 
With  a  near  aim,  of  the  main  chance  of  things 
As  yet  not  come  to  life;  which,  in  their  seeds, 
And  weak  beginnings,  lie  intreasured. 

Luxury — gives  the  mind  a  childish  cast. 


Moderation  in  Disputes.  When  we  are 
in  a  condition  to  overthrow/afaeAood  and  error,  we 
ought  not  to  do  it  with  vehemence,  nor  insultingly 
and  with  an  air  of  contempt;  but  to  lay  open  the 
truth,  and  with  answers,  full  of  mildness,  to  refute 
the  falsehood. 

Anecdote.  An  amiable  youth,  lamented 
deeply,  the  recent  death  of  a  most  affectionate 
parent.  His  companion  made  an  elfort  to 
console  him,  by  the  reflection,  that  he  had  al- 
ways behaved  towards  the  deceased  with  du- 
ty,  tenderness  and  respect.  "  So  I  thought, ' 
replied  the  son,  "while  my  parent  was  liv- 
ing; but  now  I  recollect,  with  pain  ami  fur- 
row, mam;  instances  of  disobedience,  and 
neglect,  for  which,  alas!  it  is  too  late  to 
make  atonement." 

Happy  the  school-boy  !  did  he  prize  his  bliss, 
'Twere  ill  exchang'd— for  all  the  dazzling  gems. 
That  gaily  sparkle  in  ambition's  eye  ; 
His  are  the  joys  of  nature,  his  the  smile, 
The  cherub  smile  of  innocence  and  health, 
Sorrow  unknown,  or,  if  a  tear  be  shed, 
He  wipes  it  soon :  for  hark  !  the  cheerful  voice 
Of  comrades  calls  him  to  the  top,  or  ball; 
Away  he  hies,  and  clamors  as  he  goes, 
With  glee,  which  causes  him  to  tread  on  air 

Reason.    Without  reason,  as  on  a  tem- 
pestuous sea,  we  are  the  sport  of  every  wind 
and  wave,  and  know  not,  till  the  event  hath 
determined  it,  how  the  next  billow  will  dis- 
pose of  us ;  whether  it  will  dash  us  against  a 
rock,  or  drive  us  into  a  quiet  harbor. 
What  stronger  breast-plate  than  a  heart  untainted  ? 
Thrice  is  he  arm'd,  that  hath  his  quarrel  just; 
And  he,  but  naked,  though  lock'd  up  in  steel, 
Whose  conscience — with  injustice  is  corrupted. 

Varieties.    1.  The  dullest  creatures  are 
sometimes  as  dangerous  as  the  fairest.    2. 
He.  who  puts  a  man  off  from  time  to  time,  is 
never  right  at  heart.    3.  What  can  reason  per- 
form, unassisted  by  the  imagination?  While 
reason  traces  and  compares  effects,  does  not 
imagination  suggest  causes?  4.  Whenever  we 
are  more  inclined  to  persecute  than  persuade, 
we  may  be  certain,  that  our  zeal  has  more  of 
self-lore  in  it,  than  charity;  that  we  are  seek- 
ing victory,  more  than  truth,  and  are  begin- 
ning to  feel  more  for  ourselves,  than  for  others, 
and  the  cause  of  righteousness.    5.  Is  it  pos- 
sible, without  divine  aid,  to  obey  the  com- 
mandments?    6.  As  soon  think  of  sending 
a  man  into  the  field,  without  good  tools,  as  a 
child  to  school,  without  proper  books.     7. 
What  is  more  low  and  vile,  than  lying?  and 
when  do  we  lie  more  notoriously,  than  in  dis- 
paraging, and  finding /en/ /i'  with  a  thing,  for 
no  other  reason,  than  because  it  is  out  of  our 
power  to  accomplish  it  ] 
Rise  with  the  lark,  and  with  the  lark  to  bed. 
The  breath  of  night 's  destructive  to  the  hue 
Of  every  flower  that  blows.     Go  to  \\\e  field, 
And  ask  the  humble  daisy,  why  it  sleeps 
Soon  as  the  sun  departs.    Why  close  the  eyes 
Of  blossoms  infinite,  ere  the  still  moon 
Her  oriental  vail  puts  off?     Think  why, 
Nor  let  the  sweetest  blossom  be  exposed, 
That  nature  boasts,  to  night's  untimely  damp. 
There  is  no  merit,  when  there  is  no  trial; 
And,  till  experience — stamps  the  mark  of  strength, 
Cowards — may  pass  for  heroes,  faith,  iotfalselwod. 


228 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


555.  The  eyes,  considered  only  as  tangi- 
ble objects,  are,  by  their  very  forms,  the  win- 
dows of  the  soul — the  fountains  of  life  and 
light.  Mere  feeling  would  discover,  that 
their  size  and  globular  shape  are  not  unmean- 
ing. The  eye-broiv,  whether  gradually  sunk- 
en, or  boldy  ■prominent,  is  equally  worthy  of 
attention :  as  likewise  are  the  temples,  wheth- 
er hollow,  or  smooth.  That  region  of  the  face, 
which  includes  the  eye-brows,  eyes  and  nose., 
also  includes  the  chief  region  of  the  will 
and  understanding. 

Nature  hath  framed  strange  fellows  in  her  time  : 

Some,  that  will  evermore  peep  through  their  eyes, 

And  laugh,  Like  parrots,  at  a  bag-piper; 

And  other  of  such  vinegar  aspect, 

That  they'll  not  show  their  teeth  in  way  of  smile, 

Though  Nestor  swear  the  jest  be  laughable. 

556.  The  images  of  our  secret  agitations 
are  particularly  painted  in  the  eyes,  which 
appertain  more  to  the  soul,  than  any  other 
organ ;  which  seem  affected  by,  and  to  par- 
ticipate in  all  its  emotions  ;  express  sensa- 
tions the  most  lively,  passions  the  most  tu- 
multuous, feelings  the  most  delightful,  and 
sentiments  the  most  delicate.  The  eye — ex- 
plains them  in  all  their  force  and  purity,  as 
they  take  birth,  and  transmits  them  by  traits 
so  rapid,  as  to  infuse  into  other  minds  the 
fire,  the  activity,  the  very  image,  with  which 
"themselves  are  inspired.  It  receives  and  re- 
flects the  intelligence  of  thought  and  warmth 
of  the  understanding. 

One  world  sufficed  not  Alexander's  mind  : 
Cooped  up  he  seem'd,  in  earth  and  seas  confin'd ; 
And  struggling,  stretch'd  his  restless  limbs  about 
The  narrow  globe,  to  find  a  passage  out : 
Yet,  enter'd  in  the  brick-built  town,  he  try'd 
The  tomb,  and  found  the  straight  dimensions  wide. 
Deathon]y,  this  mysterious  truth  unfolds, 
The  mighty  soul — how  small  a  body  holds. 

557.  Language  of  the  Etes.  The  eye 
is  the  chief  seat  of  the  soul's  expression ;  it 
shows  the  very  spirit  in  a  visible  form.  In 
every  different  state  of  mind,  it  appears  dif- 
ferently :  joy — brightens  and  opens  it ;  grief 
half  closes,  and  drowns  it  in  tears  ;  hatred, 
and  anger,  Hash  from  it,  like  lightning  ,- 
love — darts  from  it  in  glances,  like  the  orient 
beam ,- jealousy  —  and  squinting  envy,  dart 
their  contagious  blasts  through  the  eyes ;  and 
devotion — raises  them,  or  throws  them  back 
on  the  mind,  as  if  the  soul  were  about  to 
take  its  flight  to  heaven. 

From  women's  eyes — this  doctrine  I  derive  : 
They  sparkle  still — the  right  Promethean  fire; 
They  arc  the  books,  the  arts,  the  academies, 
That  shotv,  contain,  and  nourish — all  the  world  ; 
Else  none  at  all — in  aught — proves  excellent. 
Old  age — is  honorable;  the  spirit — seems 
Ready — for  its  flight — lobrighter  worlds, — 
And  that  strange  change,  which  men  miscall </ecai/, 
Is  renovated  life.    The  feeble  voice, 
With  which  the  soul  attempts  to  speak  its  meaning, 
Is  like  the  s/fci/-lark's  note,  heard  faintest,  when 
Its  wing  soars  highest;  aud  whose  hoary  signs, 
Those  white  and  reverend  locks,  which  move  the 
Of  thoughtless  ribalds,  seem  Xorne  like  snow,  [scorn 
Upon  the  Alpine  summit, — only  proving — 
How  near  it  is — to  heaven. 


Anecdote.  Tweedle-dum  and  Tweedle- 
dee.  About  the  year  1720,  there  were  two 
musical  parties  in  England;  one  in  favor  of 
two  Italians,  Buo-non-ei-ni  and  AX-til-io,  and 
the  other  admirers  of  Handel :  and  the  con- 
tention running  high,  Dean  Swift,  with  his 
usual  acrimony  in  such  cases,  wrote  the  fol- 
lowing epigram : 

Some  say,  that  signior  Buononcini, 
Compared  to  Handel's  a  mere  ninny : 
Others  do  swear,  that  to  him — Handel 
Is  hardly  fit  to  hold  a  candle. 
Strange — that  such  high  contests  should  be 
'Twixt  tweedle-dww — and  tweedle-rfee. 
True  Phrenology — treats  of  the  mani- 
festations of  man's  feelings  and  intellects 
his  heart  and  his  head ;  his  will  and  under- 
standing ;  and  their  related  objects,  physical 
and  moral ;  principles,  giving  a  knowledge 
of  one's  original  character ;  of  his  excellen- 
cies and  talents,  and  how  to  make  the  most 
of  them ;  of  his  defects,  and  how  to  remedy 
them ;  of  reasoning  and  persuading — of  ed- 
ucation and  self-government :  a  system  of 
mental  and  moral  philosophy,  challenging 
investigation. 

"Varieties.  1.  All  are  modest,  when  they  feel 
that  they  are  estimated,  at  what  they  consid- 
der  their  just  value;  and  incline  to  presume,  in 
the  proportion  they  feel  they  are  slighted.  2.  It 
signifies  but  little  —  to  wish  well,  without  doing 
well;  as  to  do  well,  without  willing  it.  3.  None 
is  so  great,  but  that  he  may  one  day  need  the  help, 
or  feel  the  tinkindness — of  the  meanest  of  mortals. 
4.  The  more  business  a  man  has,  the  more  he  is 
able  to  accomplish :  for  he  learns  to  economize  his 
time.  5.  A  ready  recollection  of  our  knowledge, 
at  the  moment  we  have  use  for  it,  is  a  rare  and 
important  acquisition.  6.  The  passions  are  plead- 
ers, and  their  violence  sometimes  goes  directly  to 
the  heart.  7.  As  a  vessel  is  known  by  the  sound, 
whether  it  is  whole  or  not,  so,  men  are  known  by 
speeches  and  actions,  whether  they  are  wise  or 
foolish. 

All  the  souls  that  were,  were  forfeit  once, 
And  He,  that  might  the  'vantage  best  have  took, 
Found  out  the  remedy.    How  would  you  be, 
If  He,  which  is  the  top  of  judgment,  should 
Rut  judge  you  as  you  are?    O,  think  on  that, 
And  mercy  then,  will  breathe  within  your  lips, 
Like  man  new  made. 

If  pow'rs  divine 
Behold  our  human  actions,  (as  they  do,) 
I  doubt  not  then,  but  innocence  shall  make 
False  accusation — blush,  and  tyranny — 
Tremble  at  patience. 
That  happy  minglementof  hearts, 
Where,  changed  as  chemic  compounds  are, 
Each — with  its  own  existence  parts, 
To  find  a  new  one,  happier  far. 
We — ignorant  of  ourselves, 

Beg  after  our  own  harm,  which  the  wise  powers 
Deny  us — for  our  good  ;  so  find  we  profit, 
By  losing  our  prayers. 
So  very  still  that  echo  seems  to  listen ; 
We  almost  hear  the  music  of  the  spheres, 
And  fancy  that  we  catch  the  notes  of  angels. 
High  stations  tumult,  but  not  bliss  create. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


229 


557.  The  Mouth.  Who  does  not  know 
how  much  the  upper  lip  betokens  the  sensa- 
tions of  taste,  desire,  appetite,  unil  the  endear- 
ments of  love]  how  much  it  is  curled  by  pride 
or  anger,  drawn  thin  by  cunning,  smoothed 
by  benevoU  /  ■/-,  and  made  placid  by  effemina- 
cy? how  love  and  desire,  sighs  and  kisses, 
cling  to  it  by  indescribable  traits.  The  undt  r 
lip  is  little  more  than  its  supporter,  the  easy 
cushion  on  which  the  crown  of  majesty  re- 
poses. The  chaste  and  delicate  mouth,  is  one 
of  the  first  recommendations  we  meet  with  in 
common  life.  Words  are  the  pictures  of  the 
mind  ,■  we  often  judge  of  the  heart  by  the 
portal ;  it  holds  the  flaggon  of  truth,  of  love, 
and  enduring  friendship. 

If  there's  on  earth  a  cure 
For  the  sunk  heart,  'tis  this — day  after  day 
To  be  the  blest  companion  of  thy  way! — 
To  hear  thy  angel  eloquence — to  see 
Those  virtuous  eyes  forever  turn'd  on  me; 
And,  in  their  light,  re-chasten'd  silently, 
Like  the  stain'd  web,  that  whitens  in  the  sun, 
Grow  pure — by  being  purely  shone  upon! 

558.  LAXsrACE  of  the  Alois  ant> 
Hands.  The  arms  are  sometimes  both  thrown 
out ;  at  others  the  right  alone ;  they  are  lifted 
up  as  high  as  the  face,  to  express  wonder,  or 
held  out  before  the  breast  to  show/e«>v  when 
spread  forth  with  open  hands,  they  express 
lesire  and  affection;  or  clasped  insurpriseori 
occasions  of  sudden  grief  and  joy,-  the  right 
nand  clenched,  and  the  arms  brandished — 
threaten  ,■  the  arms  set  a-kimbo,  (one  hand  on 
each  hip,)  makes  one  look  big,  or  expresses 
contempt,  or  courage. 

As  a  beam — o'er  the  face  of  the  waters — may  glow, 
While  the  :■.";— runs  in  darkness  and  coolness  below, 
So,  the  check  may  be  tinged— with  a  warm  sunny  smile, 
Though  the  cold  heart — to  ruin — runs  darkly  the  while. 
One  fatal  remembrance,  one  sorrow,  that  throws 
Its  bleak  skile — alike,  o'er  our  joys,  and  our  woes; 
To  which  lift — nothing  darker,  or  brighter,  can  bring, 
For  which  joy — has  no  balm,  and  affliction— no  stingt 
Oh  !  this  thought,  in  the  midst  of  enjoyment  will  stay, 
Like  a  dead  Leafless  branch — in  the  summer's  bright  ray  J 
The  beams  of  the  warm  sun — play  round  it  in  vain, 
It  may  fmtfa — in  his  light — but  it  blooms  not  again ! 

559.  Qiinctilltax  says,  that  with  the 
hands,  we  solicit,  refuse,  promise,  threaten, 
dismiss,  in-,  ite,  entreat,  and  express  aversion, 
fear,  doubting,  denial,  asking,  affirmation, 
negation,  joy,  grief,  confession  and  penitence. 
With  the  hands  we  describe,  and  point  all 
circumstances  of  time,  place  and  manner  of 
what  we  relate ;  with  them  we  also  excite  the 
passions  of  others  and  soothe  them,  approve 
or  disapprove,  permit,  prohibit,  admire  and 
despise;  thus,  tney  serve  us  instead  of  many 
sorts  of  words;  and,  where  the  language  of  the 
tongue  is  unknown,  or  the  person  is  deaf,  the 
language  of  the  hands  is  understood,  and  is 
common  to  all  nations. 

Between  tiro  worlds — life  hovers  like  a  star, 
'Twixt  >i  ight  and  morn,  upon  the  horizon's  verge: 

How  little — do  we  know  that  which  we  are.' 
How  less — what  we  may  be !    The  eternal  surge 

Of  time  and  tide — rolls  on,  and  bears  afar 
Our  bubbles  ;  as  the  old — burst,  new — emerge, 

Laslfd — from  the  foam  of  ages  ;  while  the  graves 

Of  empires — heave,  but  like  some  passing  waves. 

Your  very  goodness,  and  your  company, 
O'erpay  all  th't  I  can  do. 


Laconics.  1.  There  is  no  great  necessity  for 
us  to  be  anxious  about  what  good  works  we  shall 
do,  in  order  to  salvation ;  because  the  business  of 
religion  is — to  shun  all  evils  as  sins.  2.  Never  be 
so  sinfully  inconsistent,  as  to  tell  a  child,  that  such 
and  such  things  are  naughty,  and  then,  because 
his  self-will  is  unyielding,  leave  him  to  persist  in 
doing  it;  better,  far  better  would  it  be,  to  let  the 
poor  child  do  wrong,  in  ignorance.  3.  Every  one 
should  receive  a  scientific,  civil,  and  religious  ed- 
ucation, and  then  he  will  be  fitted  for  the  life  that 
now  is,  and  that  which  is  to  come.  4.  Teach 
children  what  is  good  and  true,  and  lead  them  to 
goodness,  by  precept  and  example.  5.  Gratitude 
is  the  sure  basis  of  an  amiable  mind. 

Anecdote.    Right  of  Discovert/.    A  gen- 
tleman, p  raising  the  personal  charms  of  a  ve- 
ry homely  woman,  before  Mr.  Foot,  the  come- 
dian, who  whispered  to  him,  "And  why  don't 
you  lay  claims  to  such  an  accomplished  beau- 
ty]''   "  What  right  have  I  to  her '!"  said  the 
other.    "Every  right — by  the  law  of  nations, 
as  the  first  discoverer." 
Meanwhile,  we'll  sacrifice  to  liberty. 
Remember,  O  my  friends,  the  laics,  the  rights, 
The  generous  plan  of  power  delivered  down, 
From  age  to  age,  by  your  renowned  ,/brf/az/iers, 
(So  dearly  bought,  the  price  of  so  much  blood;) 
O  let  it  never  perish  in  your  hands, 
But  piously  transmit  it  to  your  children. 
Do  thou,  great  liberty,  inspire  our  souls, 
And  make  our  lives,  in  thy  possession,  happy, 
Or  our  deaths  glorious — in  thy  just  defence. 

Varieties.  1.  Will  the  time  ever  arrive, 
when  the  air  will  be  as  full  of  balloons,  as  the 
oce ah  now  is  with  ships?  2.  Reading  history 
and  traveling,  give  a  severe  trial  to  our  vir- 
tues. 3.  It  is  not  right  to  feel  contempt  for 
any  thing,  to  which  God  has  given  life  and 
being.  4.  Four  things  belong  to  a  judge  : 
to  hear  cautiously,  to  answer  wisely,  to  con- 
sider soberly,  and  to  give  judgment  without 
partiality.  5.  Regard  talents  and  genius,  as 
solemn  mandates  to  go  forth,  and  labor  in 
your  sphere  of  usefulness,  and  to  keep  alive 
the  sacred  fire  among  your  fellow  men,-  and 
turn  not  these  jtrecious  gifts,  into  servants  of 
evil;  neither  ojfer  them  on  the  altar  of  vanity, 
nor  sell  them  for  a  mess  of  pot  a  ge.,i\ox  a  piece 
of  money.  6.  The  last  war  between  the  Uni- 
ted States  and  England,  commenced  on  the 
18th  of  June,  1812",  and  continued  two  years, 
eight  months  and  eighteen  days ;  when  did  it 
end?  7.  Let  us  manage  our  time  as  well  as 
we  can,  there  will  yet  some  of  it  remain  un- 
employed. 

Ill  fares  the  land,  to  hastening  ills  a  prey, 
When  wealth  accumulates,  and  men  decay! 
Princes,  and  lords,  may  flourish,  or  may  fade; 
A  breath  can  make,  them,  as  a  breath  has  made: 
But  a  bold  peasantry,  their  country's  pride, 
When  once  destroy'd,  can  never  be  supplied. 
The  kindest,  and  the  happiest  pair, 
Will  find  occasion — to  forbear; 
And  every  day,  in  which  they  live, 
To  pity,  and,  perhaps,  forgive. 
Full  many  a  shaft — at  random  sent, 
Finds  mark — the  archer  never  meant; 
And  many  a  word — at  random  spoken, 
May  soothe,  or  wound — a  heart  that' s  broken. 


230 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


560.     POLYGLOTT    OF     BODY     AND    MlSD. 

Thus,  we  see  that  the  body,  in  connection 
with  the  mmd,speaks  many  languages;  and 
he  is  a  learned  elocutionist,  who  understands 
and  can  speak  them.  In  view  of  which,  well 
might  Hamlet  exclaim,  "  what  a  piece  of 
work  is  man!"  Observe  well  this  strange 
being,  as  embodied  in  the  works  of  the  pain- 
ter, and  statuary :  in  what  kingly  wondrous 
manner,  appear  his  force  of  attitude  and 
looks.'  Who,  but  would  covet  the  glorious 
art  of  making  the  flat  canvas  and  rocky 
marble,  utter  every  passion  of  the  human 
mind,  and  touch  the  soul  of  the  spectator,  as 
if  the  picture,  or  statue,  spoke  the  pathetic 
language  of  a  Shalcspeaiel  Is  it  any  wonder 
that  masterly  action,  joined  with  powerful 
elocution,  should  be  irresistible?  If  poetry, 
music,  and  statuary, is  good,  is  not  oratory 
more  excellent  1  for  in  that  we  have  them  all. 
Woe  for  those,  who  trample  o'er  a  mind! 
A  deathless  thing.  They  know  not  what  they  do, 
Or  what  they  deal  with  !  Man,  perchance,  may 
The flow'r  his  s/ephath  l>ruis'd;or  light  anew[bind 
The  torch  he  quenches  ;  or  to  music — wind 
Again  the  tyre-string  from  his  touch  that  flew  ; 
But,  for  the  soul ! — oh  !  tremble,  and  bcicare. — 
To  lay  rude  hands — upon  God's  mysteries  there ! 

561.  The  Written  Page  can  but  ill  ex- 
press the  nicer  shades  of  sentiment,  passion, 
and  emotion  which  the  poet  has  painted. 
There  are  depths  of  thought,  which  the  eye 
cannot  penetrate — and  sublimities  of  flight, 
which  it  cannot  reach.  The  loveliest  and 
sublimest  of  written  poetry — even  that  con- 
tained in  sacred  scripture — cannot  speak  to 
the  eye  with  that  vivid  power  and  intensity  of 
expression,  drawn  from  it  by  the  human  voice, 
when  trained  to  the  capacity  given  to  it,  by 
the  Creator.  Hence,  the  ordained  efficiency 
of  preaching;  hence,  the  trembling  of  Felix, 
as  the  great  Apostle  reasoned — "  of  righteous- 
ness, temperance,  and  judgment  to  come." 
So,  with  the  production  of  the  most  consum- 
mate human  genius : 

For  ill — can  poetry  express, 

Full  many  a  tone — of  thought  sublime  j 
And  sculpture,  mute  and  motionless, 

Steals  but  one  glance  from  time. 
But,  by  the  mighty  actor's  power, 

Their  wedded  triumphs  come : 
Verse — ceases — to  be  airy  thought 

And  sculpture — to  be  dumb. 

562.  The  following — is  an  example  of  the 
sublime,  falling  far  short  of  a  hyperbole;  for, 
as  St.  John  observes,  "  even  the  world  it- 
self— could  not  contain  the  books,  that  should 
be  written"  on  the  subject  of  infinite  love 
and  infinite  wisdom — displayed  in  man's 
REDEMPTION  and  salvation. 

Could  we,  with  ink,  the  ocean  fill, 

Were  the  whole  earth — a  parchment — made, 
Were  every  single  stick — a  quill, 

And  every  man — a  scniBF.  by  trade; 
To  write  the  LOVE  of  Hod — toman, 
"    Would  drain  the  ocean  dry  ; 
Nor  would  the  scroll — contain  the  plan, 

Tho'  strctch'd — from  sky  to  sky. 

The  mind — untaught, 
Is  a  dark  waste,  where. fie nds  and  tempests  howl ; 
As  Phabus — to  the  world,  is  science — to  the  soul. 


Anecdote.  No  hero  was  more  distin- 
guished in  ancient  times,  than  Alexander  the 
Great,  king  of  Macedon.  His  courage  was 
undau nted, his  ambition  boundless,his  friend- 
ship anient,  his  taste  refined ;  and  what  was 
very  extraordinary,  he  seems  to  have  con- 
versed with  the  same  fire  and  spirit,  with 
which  he  fought.  Philip,  his  father,  knowing 
him  to  be  very  siuiff,  wished  him  to  run  foi 
the  prize,  at  the  Olympic  games.  "  I  would 
comply  with  your  request,"  said  Alexander, 
"if  kings  were  to  be  my  competitors.''' 

The  ocean — when  it  rolls  aloud — 
The  tempest — bursting  from  her  cloud, 

In  one  uninterrupted  peal ! 
When  darkness  sits  amid  the  sky ; 
And  shadowy  forms  go  trooping  by ; 

And  everlasting  mountains  reel — 
All — all  of  this  is  Freedom's  song — 

'Tis  pealed — 'tis  pealed  eternally! 
And  all,  that  winds  and  waves  prolong, 

Are  anthems  rolled  to  Liberty  ! 

Varieties.  1.  Although  the  truth  can  ne- 
ver come  to  condemn,  but  to  save,  the  world 
has  ever  pronounced  its  condemnation.  2. 
Garbled  extracts  from  any  work,  are  no  more 
a  correct  representation  of  the  work,  than 
stone,  mortar,  boards,  glass,  and  nails,  are  a 
fair  specimen  of  a  splendid  palace.  3.  Never 
let  private  interest,  poverty,  disgrace,  danger, 
or  death,  deter  you — from  asserting  the  liber- 
ty of  your  country,  or  from  transmitting  to 
posterity,  the  sacred  rights  to  which  you 
were  born.  4.  What  are  the  pleasures  of  the 
bodily  senses,  without  the  pleasures  of  the 
soul?  5.  Themistocles,  when  asked  to  play 
the  late,  replied,  I  cannot  play  the  fiddle,  but 
I  can  make  a  little  village  a  great  city.  6. 
The  skin — co-operates  with  the  lungs  m  pu- 
rifying the  blood.  7.  How  shall  we  know 
that  the  American  government,  is  founded 
on  the  true  principles  of  human  nature  ?  By 
learning  what  the  true  principles  of  human 
nature  are  and  an  extensive  induction  of  facts, 
derived  from  the  study  of  history,  and  our 
own  observation. 

Yet.  though  my  dust — in  earth  he  laid, 

My  life — on  earth — withdrawn  ; 
'Twill  be — but  as  a  fleeting  shade 

Of  night — before  the  dawn  I 
For  I  shall  spring — beyond  the  tomb, 

To  new — immortal  prime, 
Where  all  is  light,  and  life,  and  bloom; 

And  no  more  winter-time. 
I  had  a  friend,  that  lov'd  me  : 
I  was  his  soul:  he  liv'd  not,  but  in  me  : 
We  were  so  close  within  each  other's  breast, 
The  rivets  were  not  found,  that  join  V  us  first, 
That  does  not  reach  us  yet :  we  we  re  so  mix'd, 
As  meeting  streams  ;  both  to  ourselves  were  lost, 
We  were  one  mass ;  we  could  not  yi«,  or  take, 
But  from  the  same:  for  he  was  /;  /,  he  : 
Return,  my  better  half,  and  give  me  all  myself, 
For  thou  art  all ! 

If  I  have  any  joy  when  thou  art  absent, 
I  grudge  it  to  myself:  methinks  I  rob 
Thee — of  thy  part. 

Stillest  streams 
Oft  water  fairest  meadows  ;  and  the  bird, 
Tlmljluttcrs  least,  is  longest  on  the  wing. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


231 


563.  Gestithe,  or  a  just  and  elegant  ad- 
aptation of  every  part  of  the  body  to  the  sub- 
ject, is  an  essential  part  of  oratory}  and  its 
power  is  much  greater  than  that  of  words  : 
for  it  is  the  language  of  nature,  and  makes  its 
way  in  the  heart,  without  the  utterance  of  a 
single  word:  it  affects  the  eye,  (which  is  the 
quickest  of  all  our  senses.)  and  of  course,  con- 
veys impressions  more  speedily  to  the  mind, 
than  that  of  the  razee,  which  affects  the  ear 
only.  Nature,  having  given  to  every  senti- 
ment and  feeling  its  proper  outward  expres- 
sion, what  we  often  mean,  does  not  depend 
so  much  on  our  words,  as  on  our  manner  of 
speaking  them.  Art — only  adds  ease  and 
gracefulness,  to  what  nature  and  reason  dic- 
tate. '  Study  the  Gesture  Engravings  thor- 
oughly. 

All  natural  objects  liave 
An  echo  in  the  heart.    This  flesh  doth  thrill, 
And  has  connection,  by  some  unseen  chain, 
With  its  original  source  and  kindred  substance : 
The  mighty  forest,  the  proud  tides  of  ocean, 
Sky-cleaving  hills,  and  in  the  vast  air, 
The  starry  constellations;  and  the  sun, 
Parent  of  life  exhaustless — these  maintain 
With  the  mysterious  mind  and  breathing  mould, 
A  coexistence  and  community. 


MADNESS   AND    TERROR. 

Stretcli  of  Thought.  A  fellow-student, 
in  consequence  of  too  close  application  to 
study,  and  neglect  of  proper  diet  and  exercise, 
became  partially  deranged;  but  being  very 
harmless,  it  was  thought  best  that  he  should 
go  and  come  when,  and  where  he  pleased; 
in  hope  of  facilitating  his  restoration.  One 
Saturday  afternoon,  he  went  out  through  the 
gardens  and  fields,  and  gathered  every  variety 
of  flowers,  from  the  modest  violet  to  the  gaudy 
sunfloioer, — with  which  he  adorned  himself 
from  head  to  foot,  in  the  most  fantastical 
manner;  in  which  condition  he  was  display- 
ing his  imaginary  kingly  power,  on  a  hillock 
in  the  college  green,  just  as  the  president  and 
one  of  the  professors  were  going  up  to  attend 
chapel  prayers ;  when  the  former  observed  to 
the  latter-what  a  great  pity  that  such  a  noble 
mind  should  be  thus  in  ruins!  the  maniac 
hearing  what  he  said,  rose  majestically  upon 
his  throne,  and  with  a  most  piercing  look  and 
voice,  exclaimed;  "What  is  that  you  say,  old 
president!  you  presume  to  talk  thus  about 
me?  Solomon,  in  all  his  glory,  was  not  ar- 
rayed as  /  am.  You  old  sinner,  come  here  ,• 
and  I  will  tear  you  limb  from  limb, — and 
scatter  you  through  infinite  space;  where 
Omniscience  cannot  find  you,  nor  Omnipo- 
tence put  you  together  again. 


A  Great  Mistalce.  The  sons  of  the  rich  so 
often  die  poor — and  the  sons  of  the  poor  so  often 
d  e  rich,  that  it  has  grown  into  aprornb;  and  vet, 
how  many  parents  are  laboring  and  toiling  to  ac- 
cumulate wealth  for  their  children,  and,  at  the 
same  time,  raising  them  up  in  habits  of  in 
and  extravagance.  Their  sons  will  scalier  their 
property  much  sooner  than  they  can  gather  it  to- 
gether. Let  them  have  their  heads  well  stored  with 
useful  knowledge,  and  their  hearts  with  sound  and 
virtuous  principles,  and  they  will  ordinarily  take 
care  of  themselves.  However  affluent  may  be  his 
circumstances,  yet  every  parent  inflicts  upon  his 
son  a  lasting  injury,  who  docs  not  train  him  up  to 
habits  of  virtue,  industry  and  economy. 

Anecdote.  Francis  I.,  king  of  France, 
(opponent  and  rival  of  Charles  V.,  of  Ger- 
many,) consulting  with  his  generals,  how  to 
lead  bis  army  over  the  Alps  into  Italy,  his 
fool,  Amarel,  sprung  from  a  corner,  and  ad- 
vised him  to  consult  how  to  bring  them  back 
again. 
A  child  is  born.    Now  take  the  germ,  and  make  it 

A  bud  of  moral  beauty.    Let  the  dews 
Of  knowledge,  and  the  light  of  virtue,  wake  it 

In  richest  fragrance,  and  in  purest  hues  ; 
When  passion's  gust,  and  sorrow's  tempest  shake  it, 

The  shelter  of  affection — ne'er  refuse, 
For  soon,  the  gathering  hand  of  death  will  break  it 

From  its  weak  stem  of  life, — and  it  shall  lose 
All  power  to  charm;  but,  if  that  lonely  flower 

Hath  swell'd  one  pleasure,  or  subdued  one  pain, 

O.  who  shall  say,  that  it  has  lived  in  vain, 
However  fugitive — its  breathing  hour  ? 

For  virtue — leaves  its  sweets  wherever  tasted, 

And  scatter'd  truth  is  never,  never  wasted. 

"Varieties.  1.  All  those,  who  have  pre- 
sented themselves  at  the  door  of  the  world, 
with  a  great  truth,  have  been  received  with 
stones,  or  hisses.  2.  Who  lias  not  observed 
the  changed,  and  changing  condition  of  the 
human  race'!  3.  We  are  indebted  to  the 
monastic  institutions  for  the  preservation  of 
ancient  libraries.  4.  No  good  can  bring^ 
pleasure,  unless  it  be  that,  for  the  loss  or 
which  we  are  prepared.  5.  They,  who  sac- 
rifice at  the  altar  of  Apollo,  are  like  those, 
who  drink  of  the  waters  of  Claros ;  they  re- 
ceive the  gift  of  divination,  they  imbibe  the 
seeds  of  death.  6.  The  same  misconduct 
which  we  pardon  in  ourselves,  we  condemn 
in  others  ;  because  we  associate  a  palliation 
with  the  one,  which  we  cannot  perceive  in 
the  other.  7.  What  constitutes  true  mar- 
riage ? 

Sheba — was  never 
More  cautious  ofroisdom,  and  fair  virtue, 
Than  this  pure  soul  shall  be ; 
Truth — shall  muse  her, 

Holy  and  heavenly  thoughts — still  counsel  her. 
Can  you  raise  the  dead! 
Pursue,  and  overtake — the  waves  of  lime? 
Bring  back  again — the  hours,  the  days, 
The  months,  the  years,  that  made  me  happy? 
The  heart  has  tendrils — like  the  vine, 
Which  round  another's  bosom  twine, 
Outspringiug  from  the  living  tree — 
Of  deeply -planted  sympathy  ; 
Where  Jlowers—  are  hope,  its  fruits — are  bliss, 
Beneficence — its  harvest  is. 


232 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


564.  Vehemence   of  Action.    Cicero — 
very  judiciously  observes,  that  a    speaker 
must  remit,  occasionally,  the  vehemence  of 
his  actions,  and  not  utter  every  passage  with 
all  the  force,  of  which  he  is  capable  ;  so  as  to 
set  off,  more  strongly,  the  emphatical  parts; 
as  painter*  make  their  figures  stand  out  bold- 
er, by  means  of  light  and  shades:  there  are 
always  strong  points,  as  they  may  be  called, 
in  every  well  written  piece,  which  must  al- 
ways be   attended  to, — thus  hill  and  dale, 
mount cin  and  precipice,  cataract  and  gulph  : 
always  keep  some  resources,  and  never  ut- 
ter the  weaker  with  all  your  energy;  for  if 
you  do.  there  will  be  a  failing  in  the  strong 
points — the  most  pathetic  parts. 
In  peace,  ;here's  nothing  so  becomes  a  man, 
As  modest  stillness,  and  humility  : 
But,  when  the  blast  of  war  blows  in  our  ears. 
Then,  imitate  the  action  of  the  tiger; 
Stiffen  liie  sinews,  summon  up  the  blood. 
Disguise  fair  nature  with  hard-favor'd  rage; 
Then  lend  the.  eye  a  terrible  aspect; 
Let  it  pry  through  the  portage  of  the  head, 
Like  the  brass  cannon  ;  let  the  brow  o'erwhelm  it, 
As  fearfully,  as  dotli  a  galled  rock 
CTerhang  and  jutty  his  confounded  base, 
Swill'd  with  the  wild  and  wasteful  ocean. 
Now  set  the  teeth,  and  stretch  the  nostril  wide  ; 
Hold  hard  the  breath  and  bend  up  every  spirit 
To  his  full  height! — On,  on!  you  noblest  English. 

4-65.  The  Forehead.  To  what  specta- 
tor can  the  forehead  appear  uninteresting"! 
Here,  appear  light  and  gloom;  jot  and 

ANXIETY,  STUPIDITY,  IGNORANCE,  and  VICE. 

On  this  brazen  tablet  are  engraved  many  com- 
binations of  sense  and  of  soul.  Here,  all 
the  graces  revel,  and  all  the  Cyclops  thun- 
der. Nature  has  left  it  bare,  that  by  it,  the 
countenance  may  be  enlightened  and 
darkened.  At  its  lowest  extremities, 
thoughts — appear  changed  into  acts  ;  the 
mind  here  collects  the  powers  of  resist- 
ance; and  here  headlong  obstinacy,  or 
wise  perseverance  take  up  their  fixed 
abode. 

That  brow,  which  was,  to  me, 
A  blooming  heaven  (it  was  a  heaven,  for  there 
Shone  forth  twin  stars  of  excellence,  so  brightly, 
As  though  the  winds  of  paradise  had  fann'd 
Their  orbed  lustre,  till  they  beam'd  with  love  ;) 
That  brow— was  as  the  sleep-imprison'd  lake, 
Treasuring  the  beauty — of  the  deep  blue  shies, 
Whose  charmed  slumber,  one  small  breath  will  ruffle. 

Anecdote.  A  commonwealth's  man,  in 
England,  on  his  way  to  the  scaffold,  for 
truth'i  sake,  saw  his  wife,  looking  at  him 
from  the  tower  window,  and  standing  up  in 
the  cart  he  waved  his  hat,  and  cried,  "To 
Bbaven.  my  love,  to  heaven,  and  I  leave 
you  in  the  storm  awhile.'' 

Well  illicit  Lord  Herbert  write  his  love — 
Were  not  our  souls — immortal  made, 
Our  equal  love — would  7nalce  them  such. 
T-is  sweet  to  know, — there  is  an  eye — will  mark, 
Our  coming,  and  look  brighter, — when  we  come. 
O,  colder — than  the  wind,  that  freezes 
Fount*,  that  but  now — in  sunshine  played, 
Is  thnt  congealing  pang,  which  seizes 
The  bursting  bosom,  when  betrayed. 


Three  Modes  of  Forming  Theories^ 

One— to  imagine  them,  and  then  search  for  facts 
to  sustain,  prove  and  confirm  them ;  one — to  col- 
lect  facts,  which  are  only  effects,  and  out  of  them 
to  form  theories;  and  one— to  observe  all  these 
facts,  and  look  through  them  to  their  causes;  which 
causes  constitute  the  only  true  theories:  then,  all 
known  or  probable  effects,  will  not  only  confirm 
such  theories,  but  they  can  be  explained  by  these 
theories.  Hence,  the  true  theories  of  all  things, 
will  explain  and  demonstrate  all  things,  so  far  as 
they  can  be  seen  and  understood  ;  i.  e.  rationally 
perceived,  according  to  the  state  and  capacity  of  the 
human  mind.  That  which  enables  one  to  explain  a 
thing,  analytically  and  synthetically,  is  the  true 
cause  or  theory  of  that  thing ;  thus,  true  theories 
are  the  causes  of  things,  and  facts  are  the  legiti- 
mate effects  of  those  things.  The  Ends  of  Things. 
There  is  one  step  higher,  which  must  be  taken, 
and  then  we  shall  have  all,  that  the  human  mind 
can  conceive  of,  or  think  about ;  which  is  the  end 
of  things  :  thus  we  have  ends,  causes,  and  effects  ; 
beyond  which  sphere,  man  cannot  go  ;  for  every 
thing,  object  or  subject,  concerning  which  we  can 
feel,  think  or  act,  is  either  an  end,  a  cause,  or  an 
effect;  the  latter  only,  are  accessible  to  our  senses : 
the  other  must  be  seen  intellectually :  i.  e.  in  a  re- 
gion of  mind  above  our  senses. 

Varieties.  1.  Can  what  is  incomprehen- 
sible, be  an  object  of  thought?  2.  Humani- 
ti/,  justice,  and  patriotism — arequalities — of 
universal  benefit  to  mankind.  3.  The  only 
way  to  expel  what  is  false  from  the  mind,  is 
to  receive  the  opposite  truth.  4.  Faith — is 
saving,  when  we  learn  truths  from  the  Bible, 
and  live  according  to  them.  5.  A  man  is 
said  to  be  square,  when  he  does  not,  from  in- 
justice, incline  to  this  or  that  party.  6  The 
power  of  the  muscles,  is  derived  through  the 
nerves,  as  the  power  of  good  is  from  truth. 
7.  Nothing  remains  with  us,  that  is  not  re- 
ceived in  freedom. 

Look  nature  throligh  ;  'tis  revolution  all :      [  night 

All  change;  no  death.    Day — follows  night,   and 

The  dying  day  ;  stars  rise,  and  set,  and  rise; 

Earth — takes  the  example.    See,  the  Summer,  gay 

With  her  green  chaplet — and  ambrosial  flowers, 

Droops  into  pallid  Autumn:  Winter,  gray, 

Horrid  with  frost,  and  turbulent  with  storm, 

Blows  Autumn,  and  his  golden/ruits,  away; — 

Then,  melts  into  the  Spring.    Soft  Spring,  with 

Favonian,  from  warm  chamb'rs  of  the  south,  [breath 

Recalls  tiie  first.    All.  to  re-flourish,  fades; 

As  in  a  wheel,  all  sinks  to  re-ascend — 

Emblems  of  man,  who  passes,  not  expires. 

Say,  dear,  will  you  not  have  me? 

Then  take  the  kiss — you  gave  me  ; 

You  elsewhere  would,  perhaps,  bestow  it, 

And  I  would  be  as  loath — to  owe  it ; 

Or,  if  you  will  not  take  the  thing — once  given, 

Let  me — kiss  you,  and  then,  we  shall  tn.  even. 

And  then,  alone,  would  Ila  mourn ; 
And  count  the  hours,  till  his  return, 
For  when — did  woman's  love  expire, 
If  fondly  fanned — the  holy  fire? 
He,  that  dotli  public  good — for  multitudes^ 
Finds  few — are  truly  grateful. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


233 


566.  De- 
mosthenes, 
the  most  emi- 
nent of  Grecian 
orators,  was 
bom  385  years 
before  the 
christian  era, 
and  died  by 
poison.  self-ad- 
ni  red,     to 

escape    the 
vengeance     of 

■  r,     322 
B.C.    He   was 

led  on 
account  of  the 
Ji  r  e,  strength, 
a  n  ii  '  •Jiemenee 
of  his  e  I  o- 
which 
w  u-  vcited  in 
rousing  the 
Athenians     t  o 

i  the  Macedonians,  and  in  defeating  his 

.  ho  were  bribed  by  the  latter.  The  char- 
aete  '  CS  of  bis  oratory  were,  strength,  sublimity. 
piercing  energy  and  force,  aided  by  an  emphatic, 
and  vi  iiement  elocution;  he  sometimes,  however, 
degenerated  into  severity.  In  reading  his  orations, 
we  do  not  meet  with  any  sentiments  that  are  very 
exalte  1:  they  are  generally  bounded  by  self-\ove 
■i.'  ive  of  the  world.  His  lather  died  when  he 
was  -  ven  years  old;  and  his  guardians  having 
wasted  his  property,  at  the  age  of  seventeen,  he 

'1  against  them  at  the  court,  and  plead  his 

se  successfully;  which  encouraged  him  to 

fore  the  assembly  of  the  people;  but  he 

made   a  perfect  failure:  after  which,  he  retired. 

::nd  practiced  in  secret,  until  he  was  twen- 

.hen  he  came  forward  agai?i,  and  com- 
menced his  brilliant  career. 

A i  at  statesman — to  a  prince — is  like 

A  cedar,  planted  by  a  spring,  which  bathes  its 
Roots:  the  grateful  tree — rewards  it — with  the  sliadow. 
By  tedious  toil, — no  passion  is  expressed : 
Bis  hand,  who  feels  the  strongest,  paints  the  best. 

567.  Marcus 
Tlll:ls  Cicero, 
the   most    distin- 

of  the 
Rotfia  n  orators, 
was  iorn  106 
years  before  the 
birth  of  Christ ; 
and  died  at  the 
age  of  03.  He 
made  the  Greeks 
his  model;  and, 
as  an  orator,  he 
possessed  the 
<h  of  De- 
ri    -      nes,    the 

S  n  e  s  s  of 
Plato,  and  the  su- 

I-soc-ra- 

ts.     Mis  first 

t  was  the 

poet    Ar-chi-as; 

and  in  elocution  lie  was  taught  by  A-poWo-ni-us 
Moto  of  Rhodes;  after  which  he  visited  Athens,  and 
on  his  return  was  made  qioxstor,  and  then  consul; 
when  he  rendered  the  greatest  service  to  the  stale, 
by  the  suppression  of  the  conspiracy  of  Catiline; 
be  was  afterwards  Vanished,  and  voluntarily  re- 
tired to  Greece,  but  was  soon  honorably  recalled; 
after  which,  he  undertook  the  prcelorship  of  Cilicia. 
In  the  civil  wars  of  Casar  and  Pompey,  he  adher- 
ed to  the  party  of  the  latter;  and  after  the  battle  of 
Pharsalia.  was  reconciled  to  Coesar,  but  was  soon 
slain  by  Pompilius,  at  the  instigation  of  Marc  An- 
tony. 

30  u2 


568.  Eve.  Are  not  good  sense,  and  good  hu- 
mor  of  more  advantage  than  beauty?  When  Adam 

is  introduced  by  .Milton,  describing  Eve,  in  para- 
dise, and  relating  to  the  angel,  the  impressions  he 
felt  on  .v:  :  hei  ;i  her  first  creation,  he  does  not 
represent  her — like  a  Grecian  Venus,  by  her  shape, 
or  features,  but  by  the  lustre  of  her  mind,  which 
shone  in  them ;  and  gave  them  their  power  of 
charming: 

Grace— was  in  all  her  steps,  heaven — in  her  eye, 
In  every  gesture — dignity,  and  love. 

Anecdote.  AHumane  Driver  Rewarded. 
\  Macedonian  soldier,  was  one  day  leading 
before  Alexander  a  mule  laden  with  gold  for 
the  king's  use;  and  the  beast  being  so  tired, 
that  he  could  not  go,  or  sustain  the  load,  his 
driver  took  it  off,  and,  with  great  difficulty, 
carried  it  himself  a  considerable  way.  Alex- 
ander,  seeing  him  just  sinking  under  the 
burden,  and  about  to  throw  it  on  the  ground, 
cried  out,  "  Do  not  be  weary  yet ;  try  and  car- 
ry it  through  to  the  tent,  for  it  is  all  thy  own.1' 

Faint  not,  heart  of  man!  thoush  years  wane  slow! 
There  have  been  those,  that,  from  the  deepest  caves, 
And  cells  of  night,  and  fastnesses,  below 
The  stormy  dashing  of  the  ociam-waves, — 
Down,  farther  down — than  gold  lies  hid,  have  nurs'd 
A  quenchless  hope,  and  watch'd  their  time,  and  burst 
On  the  bright  day,  like  wakeners  from  the  graves ! 

Varieties.  1.  When  we  go  out,  let  us 
consider  what  we  have  to  do  ;  and  when  we 
return,  what  we  have  done.  2.  There  are 
many  subjects,  that  are  not  easily  understood; 
but  it  is  easy  to  misrepresent  them;  and  when 
arguments  cannot  be  controverted,  it  is  not 
difficult  for  the  uncharitable — to  calumniate 
.  3.  A  man's  true  character  is  a  greater 
secret  to  himself,  than  to  others;  if  he  judge 
himself,  he  is  apt  to  be  partial;  if  he  asks  the 
opinions  of  others,  he  is  liable  to  be  deceived. 
4.  Really  learned  persons  never  think  of  hav- 
ing finished  their  education,  for  they  are  stu- 
dents during  life.  5.  The  insults  of  others 
can  never  make  us  wretched,  or  resentful,  if 
our  hearts  are  risrht;  the  viper,  that  stings  us, 
is  within.  G.  Beware  of  drawing  too  broad 
and  strong  conclusions — from  feeble  and  ill- 
defined  premises.  7.  When  human  policu 
wraps  one  end  of  the  chain  round  the  ancle  of 
a  man,  di vinejust ice  rivets  the  other  end  round 
the  neck  of  the  tyrant.  8.  All  who  have  been 
great,  without  religion,  would  undoubtedly 
have  been  much  greater,  and  better — with  it. 

QUALITIES — SURPASSING   LOVELINESS. 

She  had  read 
Her  father's  well-filled  library — with  profit. — 
And  could  talk  charmingly.    Then  she  would  sing. 
And  play,  too,  passably, — and  dance  with  spirit ; 
She  sketch'd  from  nature  well,  and  studied  flowers, 
Which  was  enough,  alone,  to  love  her  for ; 
Yet  she  was  knowing — in  all  needle-work, — 
And  shone— in  dairy, — and  in  kitchen,  too, — 
As  in  the.  parlor. 

The  wise  man,  said  the  Bible,  walks  with  God, 
Surveys  far  on — the  endless  line  of  life; 
Values  his  soul;  thinks  of  eternity  ; 
Both  worlds  considers,  and  provides  for  both ; 
With  reason's  eye — his  passions  guards;  abstain? 
From  soil ;  lives  on  hope — on  hope,  the  fruit 
Of faith ;  looks  upward;  purifies  his  soul; 
Expands  his  wings,  and  mounts  into  the  sky; 
Passes  the  sun,  and  gains  his  Father's  house; 
And  drinks — with  angels — from  [he  fount  o[ bliss, 


234 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


569.  Rhetorical  Action— respects  the  atti- 
tude, gesture,  and  expression  of  the  countenance. 
Words  cannot  represent  certain  peculiarities  ; 
they  depend  on  the  actor.  Simplicity,  or  a  strict, 
adherence  to  the  modesty  of  nature— correct- 
ness—or  adaption  to  the  word— and  beauty,  as 
opposed  to  awkwardness — are  the  principal 
marks  of  eood  action.  Beauty  belongs  to  objects 
of  sight.  "Action  should  be  easy,  natural,  varied, 
and  directed  by  passion.  Avoid  affectation  and 
display  ;  for  they  disgust.  The  best  artists  are 
famous  for  simplicity,  which  has  an  enchanting 
effect.  Profuse  decorations  indicate  a  wish  to 
supply  the  want  of  genius  by  multiplying  inferi- 
or beauties.  There  is  in  every  one  an  indis- 
cribable  something,  which  we  call  nature,  that 
perceives  and  recognizes  the  inspirations  of  na- 
ture ;  therefore,  after  bringing  your  voice  under 
your  control,  if  you  enter  fully  into  the  spirit  of 
the  composition,  and  let  your  feelings  prompt 
and  govern  your  action,  you  cannot  greatly  err. 
The  victory  is  half  won  when  you  fully  feel  and 
realize  what  you  read  or  speak.  Resolve  to  ac- 
quire the  power,  the  witchery,  the  soul  of  elocu- 
tion—that  lightning  of  ancient  limes  which  pour- 
ed a  blaze  of  light  on  the  darkest  understanding, 
and  that  thunder  which  awakens  the  dead. 

They  never  fail — who  die 
In  a  great  cause:  the  block — may  soak  their  gore : 
Their  heads — may  sodden  in  the  sun  ;  their  limbs 
Be  strung  to  city  gates — and  castle  walls — 
But  still — their  spirit  walks  abroad.     Tho'  years 
Elapse,  and  others — share  as  dark  a  doom, 
They  but  augment  the  deep  and  swelling  thoughts 
Which  overpower  all  others,  and  conduct 
The  world,  at  last,  to  Freedom. 

570.  This  system  teaches  you  to  harmon- 
ize matter  and  manner,  to  imbibe  the  author's 
feelings,  to  bring  before  you  all  the  circum- 
stances, and  plunge  amid  the  living  scenes, 
and  feel  that  what  you  describe  is  present,  and 
actually  passing  before  you.  Speak  of  truths 
as  truths,  not  as  fictions.  Give  the  strongest, 
freest,  truest  expression  of  the  natural  Mend- 
ings of  thought  and  emotion  ;  break  thro'  all 
arbitrary  restraint,  and  submit,  after  proper 
trainings,  to  the  suggestions  of  reason  and 
nature.  Let  your  manner  be  earnest,  col- 
lected, vigorous,  self-balanced.  In  the  intro- 
duction, be  respectful,  modest,  conciliatory, 
winning,  rather  mild  and  slow;  in  the  dis- 
cussion, clear,  energetic  ;  in  the  application, 
animated,  pathetic,  persuasive. 

Ml — some  force  obey  ! 
Gold — will  dissolve,  and  diamonds — melt  away  ; 
Marble — obeys  the  chisel,  and  the  saw  ; 
And  solar-bca.ms — a  rock  of  ice  will  thaw; 
The  flaming/or^e  o'ercomes  well-temper'd  steel; 
And  flinty  glass — is  fashioned  at  the  wheel  : 
But  man's  rebellious  heart — no  power  can  bend, 
No  flumes  can  soften,  no  concussion — rend; 
Till  the  pure  spirit  soften,  pierce  and  melt, 
And  the  warm  blood — is  in  the  conscience  felt. 

571.  Look  your  hearers  in  the  face — give 
yourself,  body  and  soul,  to  the  subject — let  not 
the  attention  be  divided  between  the  manner 
and  matter.  Practice  in  private  to  establish  cor- 
rect habits  of  voice  and  gesture,  and  become  so 
familiar  with  all  rules  as  not  to  think  of  them 
when  exercising.  The  head,  fare,  eyes,  hands, 
and  upper  part  of  tho  body  are  principally  em- 
ployed in  oratorical  action.  The  soul  speaks 
most  intelligibly  in  the  muscles  of  the  face,  and 
through  the  eye,  which  is  the  chief  seat  of  ex- 
pression ;  let  the  internal  man,  and  the  external 


correspond.  An  erect  attitude,  and  a  firmness; 
of  position,  denote  majesty,  activity,  strength; 
the  leaning — affection,  respect,  earnestness  of 
entreaty,  dignity  of  composure,  indifference,  dis- 
ease. The  air  of  a  person  expresses  a  language 
easily  understood.  The  husbandman,  dandy, 
gentleman  and  military  chief  bespeak  the  habits 
and  qualities  of  each.  The  head  gently  reclined, 
denotes  grief,  shame  ;  erect — courage,  firmness; 
thrown  back  or  shaken — dissent  ;  forward — as- 
sent. The  hand  raised  and  inverted — repels, 
more  elevated  and  extended — surprise,  astonish- 
ment ;  placed  on  the  mouth — silence;  on  the 
head,  pain  ;  on  the  breast — affection,  or  appeal  to 
conscience  :  elevated — defiance  ;  both  raised  and 
palms  united  —  supplication;  gently  clasped  — 
thankfulness  ;  wrung — agony. 

Anecdote.  Tijrolese  Songs.  In  the 
mountains  of  Tyrol,  hundreds  of  women  and 
children — come  out,  at  Serf-time,  and  sing 
their  national  son gs,  until  they  hear  their  hus- 
bands, fathers,  and  brothers,  answer  them 
from  the  hills  on  their  return  home.  Upon 
the  shore  of  the  Adriatic,  the  wives  of  the 
fishermen  come  down,  about  sunset,  and 
sing  one  of  their  melodies.  They  sing  the 
first  verse,  and  then  listen — for  sometime: 
then  they  sing  a  second  ;  and  so  on,  till  they 
hear  the  answer  from  the  fishermen,  who 
are  thus  guided  to  their  homes. 

Hail  memory,  hail !  in  thy  exhaustless  mine, 
From  age — to  age,  unnumbered  treasures  shine  ! 
Thought,  and  her  shadowy  brood,  thy  call  obey, 
And  place,  and  time,  are  subject  to  thy  sway  ! 
Thy  pleasures  ?;ws«  we  feel,  when  most  alone, 
The  only  pleasures  we  can  call  our  own. 
Lighter  than  air,  Hope's  summer  visions  fly, 
If  but  a  fleeting  cloud  obscure  the  sky  ; 
If  but  a  beam  of  sober  Reason  play, 
Lo1  Fancy's  fairy  frost-work  melts  away: 
But,  can  the  wiles  of  art,  the  grasp  of  power, 
Snatch  the  rich  relics  of  a  well-spent  hour  ? 
These,  when  the  trembling  spirit  takes  her  flight, 
Pour  round  her  path  a  stream  of  living  light, 
And  gild  those  pure  and  perfect  realms  of  rest, 
Where  virtue— triumphs,  and  her  sons  are  blest. 

"Varieties.  1.  Costume,  when  once  regula- 
ted by  true  science,  and  art,  remains  in  un- 
changable  good  taste;comfortable,  convenient, 
as  well  as  picturesque  and  becoming.  2.  In 
1756,  a  white  headed  old  woman — died  in 
London,  whose  hair  sold  for  244  dollars  to  a 
ladies'  periwig  maker.  3.  In  some  countries, 
intellect  has  sway;  in  some — wealth;  and 
in  others — beauty  and  rank  ;  but  the  most 
•powerful  influence  in  the  best  societies,  is 
goodness  combined  with  truth  in  practice. 
4.  Merit — in  the  inheritor,  alone  makes  valid 
an  inheritance  of  glory  in  ancestry.  5.  Why 
does  neiv  sweet  milk  become  sour — during  a 
thunder  storm  1  6.  Why  can  no  other  na- 
tion make  a  Chinese  gong  ?  7.  Is  not  the 
American  government  founded  upon  the  true 
principles  of  human  nature  ?  S.  How  prone 
many  are,  to  worship  the  creature  more 
than  the  Creator  !  9.  When  apparent  truths 
are  taken,  and  confirmed  for  real  ones,  they 
become  fallacies.  10.  Actions  —  show  best 
the  nature  of  the  law  of  life;  and  deeds — 
show  the  man. 

In  all  thy  humors,  whether  grave  or  mellow, 
Thou'rt  such  a  touchy,  testy, pleasant  feWovt;  [thee, 
Hast  so  much  wit,  and  mirth,  and  spleen  about 
That  there's  no  living  with  thee,  or  without  thee. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


235 


572.  The  emphatic  strokes  of  the  hand  accom- 
pany emphasis;  its  elevated  term  nation  su  ts  :i  gb 
passion;  horizontal — decision;  downward  move- 
ment—  disapprobation.     Avoid  excess,  violet 

and  constancy  of  action;  gentleness,  tranquillity 
and  dignity  prevail  more.  What  is  the  appro- 
priate gesture  in  this?  "Light  are  the  outward 
signs  oi' evil  thought;  within,  within — 'twas  there 
the  spirit  wrought."  .Middle  finger  of  the  right 
hand  points  to  the  body — its  fore-finger  gently  laid 
in  tlie  palm  of  the  left,  in  deliberation,  proof,  or  ar- 
gumentation— sometimes  it  is  pressed  hard  on  the 
■>alm.  The  left  hand  often  acts  with  great  signifi- 
cancy  with  the  right;  rurely  used  alone  in  the 
principal  gestures,  except  when  something  on  the 
left  hand  is  spoken  of.  as  contradistinguished  from 
something  on  the  right,  and  when  two  things  are 
contrasted.  Motion  of  the  hands  should  corres- 
pond with  those  of  the  eyes.  Rules  say,  "  Do  not 
raise  the  hands  above  the  head ;"  but  if  natural 
passion  prompts  them — it  will  be  well  done;  for 
passion  knows  more  than  art. 

Our  thoughts  are  boundless,  tho'  our/nwtes  are  frail, 
Our  souls  immortal,  though  our  limbs  decay  : 
Though  darkened — in  this  poor  life,  by  a  vail 
Oi  suffering,  dying  matter,  we  shall  play 
In  Truth's  eternal  sunbeams ;  on  the  way 
To  Heaven's  high  capital — our  car  shall  roll  ; 
The  temple — of  the  power,  whom  all  obey; 
Tliat  is  the  mark — we  tend  to,  for  the  soul 
Can  take  no  lower  flight,  and  seek  no  meaner  goal. 

573.  Keep  the  hands  out  of  your  pockets — don't 
finger  your  watch-key  or  chain — let  your  business 
influence  you.  Feel  your  subject  thoroughly  and 
speak  without  fear:  have  a  style  and  manner  of 
your  own,  for  an  index  to  yourself.  Expression 
is  the  looking  out  of  the  soul,  through  the  eyes, 
which  are  its  windows,  into  the  natural  world. 
The  body  should  generally  be  erect :  not  constant- 
ly changing,  nor  always  motionless — declining  in 
humiliation — rising  in  praise  and  thanksgiving ; 
should  accompany  motion  of  the  hands,  head,  and 
eyes ;  never  turn  your  back  on  the  audience.  Do 
not  appear  haughty,  nor  the  reverse  ;  nor  recline 
the  head  to  one  shoulder — nor  stand  like  a  post; 
avoid  tossings  of  the  body  from  side  to  side,  rising 
on  lip-toe,  writhing  of  the  shoulders.  Study  well 
the  engravings ;  their  position,  gracefulness  and 
awkwardness  :  some  are  designated  for  both — dis- 
criminate, which  to  imitate,  which  to  avoid — refer 
within,  to  your  own  nature,  for  dictation  —  and 
never  adopt  any  gesture  that  you  do  not  make 
your  own  by  appropriation.  All  gestures  must 
originate  within.  Let  everything  you  do  and  say 
correspond. 

The  Muse  of  inspiration — plays 
O'er  every  scene ;  she  walks  the/oresMnaze, 
And  climbs  the  mountain ;  every  blooming  spot 
Burns  with  her  step,  yet  man — regards  it  not! 
She  whispers  round ;  her  words  are  in  the  air, 
But  lost,  unheard,  they  linger— freezing  there, 
Without  one  breath  of  soul,  divinely  strong, 
One  ray  of  heart — to  thaw  them  into  song. 

574.  Some  of  the  sources  of  faults  in  action,  are 
unmanly  diffidence,  which  makes  one  appalled  at 
nis  audience,  or  makes  him  fear  to  stir,  lest  he 
make  a  mistake;  and  servile  imitation — whence  is 
a  want  of  action,  excess  or  awkwardness,  or  un- 
due regard  to  improper  models.  Do  not  become 
an  artificial,  made-up  character,  a  compound  of 
affectation  and  imitation,  a  poor  creature  of  bor- 
rowed shreds  and  patches:  preserve  your  own 
identity. 

Of  those  few  fools  who  with  ill  stars  are  curst, 
Sure  scribbling  fools,  call'd  poets,  fare  the  worst: 
For  they're  a  set  of  fools  which  Fortune  makes, 
And  after  she  has  made  them  fools,  forsakes. 


In  man  or  woman,  but  far  most  in  man. 
And  most  of  all — in  man  that  ministers 
And  serves  the  altar,  in  my  soul — I  loathe 
All  affectation.    Tis  my  perfect  scorn; 
Object — of  my  implacable  disgust. 
What! — will  a  man  play  tricks,  will  he  indulge 
A  silly — fond  conceit — of  his  fair  form 
And  just  proportion,  fashionable  mien, 
And  pretty  face,  in  presence  of  his  God? 
Or,  will  he  seek  to  dazzle  me  with  tropes, 
As  with  the  diamond  on  his  lily  hand, 
And  play  his  brilliant  parts  before  my  eyes 
When  I  am  hungry  for  the  bread  of  life? 
lie  mocks  his  Maker,  prostitutes  and  shames 
His  noble  office,  and,  instead  of  truth, 
Displaying  his  own  beauty,  starves  hisfock. 
Therefore,  avaunt  all  attitude  and  stare, 
And  start  theatric,  practie'd  at  the  glass.' 
I  seek  divine  simplicity — in  him, 
AVho  handles  things  divine  ;  and  all — besides, 
Tho'  learn'd  with  labor,  and  tho'  much  admir'd 
By  curious  eyes,  and  judgments  ill-inform'd, 
To  me  is  odious — as  the  nasal  twang 
Heard  at  conventicle,  where  worthy  men, 
Misled  by  custom,  strain  celestial  themes 
Through  the  press'd  nostril,  spectacle-bestrid. 
Anecdote.    Indian   Virtue.     A   married 
woman,  of  the  Shawcmee  Indians,  made  this 
beautiful  reply — to  a  man  whom  she  met  in 
the  woods,  and  who  implored  Iter  to  love  and 
look  on  him.    "  Oulman,  my  husband"  said 
she,  "  who  is  forever  before  my  eyes,  hinders 
me  from  seeing  you,  or  any  other  person." 
So  dear  to  Heaven — is  saintly  chastity, 
That  when  a  soul — is  found  sincerely  so, 
A  thousand  liveried  angels — lackey  her, 
Driving  far  off — each  thing  of  sin,  and  guilt; 
And,  in  clear  dream,  and  solemn  vision, 
Tell  her  of  things,  that  no  gross  ear  can  hear, 
Till  oft  converse — with  heavenly  habitants 
Begins  to  cast  a  beam — on  the  outward  shape, 
The  unpolluted  temple  of  the  mind, 
And  turns  it,  by  degrees,  to  the  souVs  essence, 
Till  all — be  made  immortal! 
"Varieties.     1.  Children  learn  but   little 
from  what  they  read,  while  the  attention  is 
divided  between  the  sense  and  making  out 
the  words.    2.  Few  parents  and  teachers  are 
aware  of  the  pre-eminent  importance  of  oral 
over  book  instruction.    3.  Truths,  inculcated 
without  any  sense  of  delight,  are  like  seeds, 
whose  living  germ  has  been  destroyed, ;  and 
which,  therefore,  when  sown,  can  never  come 
to  anything.    4.  The  idea  of  the  Lord,  com- 
ing into  the  world,  to  instruct  us,  and  make 
us  good,  is  an  idea  particularly  delightful  to 
young  children,  as  well  as  to  those  of  riper 
years.    5.  We  were  not  created — to  live  on 
the  earth,  one  moment  in  vain ;  every  moment 
has  a  commission,  connected  with  eternity ; 
and  each  minute,  improved,  gives  power  to 
the  next  minute,  to  proceed  with  an  acceler- 
ated ratio  and  impulse. 
Let  talkers  talk;  stick  thou  to  what  is  best, 
To  think  of  pleasing  all,  is  all  a  jest. 

Let  conquerors — boast 
Their  fields  of  fame :  he,  who  in  virtue,  arms 
A  young,  warm  spirit — against  beauty's  charms, 
Who  feels  her  brightness,  yet  defies  her  thrall, 
Is  the  best,  bravest  conqueror  of  them  all. 


236 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


575.  Stability  of  position,  facility  of  change, 
and  general  grace  of  action,  depend  on  the  right 
use  of  the  feet ;  [see  the  engravings  of  them,]  the 
motions  of  children  are  graceful,  because  prompt- 
ed by  nature  :  see  how  the  different  passions  af- 
fect their  countenances  ;  what  a  pity  they  are  not 
kept  on  in  this  way,  without  being  led  by  their 
teachers  into  captivity  to  bad  habits.  Keep  your 
mind  collected  and  composed ;  guard  against 
bashfulness,  which  will  wear  off  by  opposition. 
One  generally  has  confidence  in  doing  anything 
with  whose  manner  he  is  familiar.  Assurance 
is  attained  by — 1,  entirely  mastering  your  subject, 
and  a  consciousness  that  what  you  have  to  deliv- 
er is  worth  hearing — 2,  by  wholly  engaging  in  it, 
mind  intent  on  it,  and  heart  warmed  with  it:  nev- 
er be  influenced  by  approbation  or  disapproba- 
tion; master  yourself;  but  how  can  you  unless 
you  knoiv  yourself? 

Think'st  thou — there  are  no  serpents  in  the  world, 
But  those,  which  slide  along  the  grassy  sod, 
And  sting  the  luckless/oo2,  that  presses  them? 
There  are,  who,  in  the  path  of  social  life, 
Do  bask  their  spotted  skins— in  Fortune's  sun, 
And  sting  the  soul — ay,  till  its  heallhfulframe 
Is  chang'd  to  secret.festering,  sore  disease — 
So  deadly — is  the  wound. 

5  76.  Look  at  the  limbs  of  a  willow  tree,  gently 
and  variously  waving  before  the  breeze,  cutting 
curved  lines,  which  are  lines  of  beauty;  and  cul- 
tivate a  graceful,  easy,  flowing  and  forcible  ges- 
ticulation. Adapt  your  action,  as  well  as  vocal 
powers,  to  the  occasion  and  circumstances — the 
action  to  the  word,  and  the  word  to  the  action.  A 
young  speaker  may  be  more  various  than  an  old 
one.  Do  not  act  words  instead  of  ideas  ;  i.  e.  not 
make  gestures  to  correspond,  when  you  speak  of 
anything  small,  low,  up,  large,  &c.  Let  the  voice, 
countenance,  mien,  and  gesture,  conspire  to  drive 
home  to  the  judgment  and  heart,  your  impassion- 
ed appeals,  cogent  arguments,  strong  conclusions, 
and  deep  convictions.  Let  Nature,  guided  by 
science,  be  your  oracle,  and  the  voice  of  unso- 
phistocated  feeling  your  monitor.  Fill  your  soul 
with  the  mighty  purpose  of  becoming  an  orator, 
and  turn  aside  from  no  labor,  shrink  from  no  ef- 
fort, that  are  essential  to  the  enterprise.  Self- 
made  men  are  the  glory  of  the  world. 

Man — is  a  harp,  whose  chords  elude  the  sight; 
Each  yielding  harmony,  disposed  aright: 
The  screws  reversed, 

Ten  thonsand  thousand  strings  at  once  go  loose, — 
Lost,  till  he  tune  them,  all  their  power  and  icse. 
I  have  read  the  instructed  volume, 
Of  human  nature  ;  there,  long  since,  have  learned, 
The  way— to  conquer  men — is  by  their  possums : 
Catch — but  the  ruling  foible  of  their  hearts, 
And  all  their  boasted  virtues — shrink — before  you. 

577.  Educatioh — is  a  companion,  which 
mi  misfortune  can  suppress,  no  clime  des- 
troy— no  enemy  alienate. — no  despotism  en- 
slave. At  home — a  friend,  abroad — an  in- 
troduction  -  in  solitude  a  solace,  in  society, 
an  ornament.  It  lessens  vice,  it  guards  vir- 
tue ;  it  gives,  at  once,  a  grace  and  govern- 
ment to  genius.  Without  it,  what  is  man ? 
a  splendid  slave!  a  reasoning  savage/  va- 
cillatiinr,  between  the  rliiriiit_>  of  an  intelli- 
gence derived  from  God,  and  the  degradation 
of  brutal  pass  inn. 

It  is  a  note 
Of  upstart  greatness — to  observe  and  watch 
For  those  poor  trifles,  which  the  noble  mind — 
Neglects,  and  scorns. 


Anecdote.  Somewhere.  One  gentleman 
riding  in  a  stage-coach,  with  another,  ob- 
served to  him, — "  Sir,  I  think,  I  have  seen 
you  somewhere.''1  "  I  presume  you  have,  Sir," 
replied  the  other ;  "  for  I  have'been  there  ve- 
ry often." 
Brute  force — may  crush  the  heart,  but  cannot  hill ; 

The  mind,  that  thinks,  no  terrors  can  compel ; 
But  it  will  speak  at  length,  and  boldly  tell 

The  world  its  roeakness,  and  its  rights;  the  r.i&ht 
Our  race  so  long  has  grop'd  through,  since  man  feU 

From  his  imagin'd  Eden  of  delight, 
Must,  will,  ere  long,  retire  from  Truth's  fast  daw;> 
ing  light. 

Varieties.  1.  Mind  may  act  on  mind, 
though  bodies  be  far  divided.  2.  A  hold  man, 
or  a  fool  must  be  he,  who  would  change  his 
lot  with  another.  3.  A  wise  man, — scorneth 
nothing,  be  it  ever  so  small  or  homely.  4. 
Mind — is  a  perpetual  motion  ;  for  it  is  a  run- 
ning stream,  from  an  unfathomable  source, 
the  depth  of  the  divih'K  intelligence.  5. 
Nature — is  the  chart  of  God,  mapping  out 
all  his  attributes;  Art — the  shadoiu  of  his 
wisdom,  and  copieth  his  resources.  6.  In  a 
dream,  thou  mayest  live  a  lifetime.,  and  all 
be  forgotten  in  the  morning.  7.  A  letter 
timely  writ,  is  a  rivet  to  the  chain  of  affec- 
tion. S.  As  frost  to  the  bud,  and  blight  to 
the  blossom,  even  such  is  se/f-interest  to 
friendship.  9.  Confidence  —  cannot  dwell 
where  selfishness  is  porter  at  the  gate.  10. 
Those  hours  are  not  lost,  that  are  spent  in 
cementing  affection.  1 1 .  Character — is  main- 
ly modeled,  by  the  cast  of  the  minds  that  sur- 
round it.  12.  The  company  a  man  choos- 
eth,  is  a  visible  index  of  his  heart. 

A  drainless  shower 
Of  light — is  poesy;  'tis  the  supreme  of  power  ; 
'Tis  might — slumbering  on  its  own  right  arm. 
A  generous  mind,  though  sway'd  awhile  by  passion, 
Is  like  the  steely  vigor  of  the  bow, 
Still  holds  its  native  rectitude,  and  bends 
But  to  recoil  more  forceful. 

Great  minds,  like  Heaven,  are  pleased  in  doing 
Though  th'  ungrateful  subjects  of  Iheirfavors  [good, 
Are  barren  in  return. 

Coivards — are  scar'd  with  ihreal'nings  ;  boys  are 
Into  confessions;  but  a  steady  mind  [whipped 

Acts  of  itself— ne'er  asks  the  body  counsel. 
The  mind — is  full 
Of  curious  changes,  that  perplex  itself, 
Just  like  the  visible  world;  and  the  heart—  ebbs 
Like  the  great  sea;  first  flows,  and  then  retires, 
And  on  the  passions  doth  the  spirit  ride, 
Through  sunshine — and  in  rain,  from  good — to  ill, 
Then  to  deep  vice,  and  so  on — back  to  virtue; 
Till,  in  the  grave,  that  universal  calm, 
We  sleep — the  sleep  of  death. 
Virtue,  while  't  is  free  from  blame, 
Is  modest,  lowly,  meek,  and  unassuming ; 
Not  apt,  like  fearful  vice,  to  shield  its  weakness 
Beneath  the  studied  pomp  of  boastful  phrase, 
Which  swells,  to  hide  the  poverty  it  shelters  ; 
But,  when  this  virtue — feels  itself  suspected, 
Insulted,  set  at  nought,  its  whiteness  stain'd, 
It  then  grows  proud,  forgets  its  humble  worth, 
And  rates  itself— above  its  real  value. 

A  brain  of  feathers,  and  a  heart  of  lead. 


PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


237 


578.  Suggestions.  The  author  is  aware, 
from  experience,  that  there  are  many  things 
tending  to  discourage  a  new  beginner  in  de- 
clamation; one  is,  a  consciousness  of  his 
own  awkwardness ;  which  teaches  us  tin- 
importance  of  knowing  Iww  to  do  a  tiling, 
before  attempting  it  in  the  presence  of  others. 
Let  him  select  a  short,  and  ordinary  piece, 
first,  and  commit  it  perfectly  to  memory,  and 
be  sure  that  he  understands  every  word  of  the 
author.  Never  appear  in  an  improper  dress ; 
let  your  clothing  be  clean  and  neat,  and  pro- 
perly adjusted  to  the  body ;  neither  too  loose, 
nor  too  tight.  Never  be  influenced,  one  way 
or  another,  by  what  your  companions  may 
say,  or  do ;  be  your  own  master,  and  feel  de- 
termined to  succeed;  at  the  same  time,  you 
may  be  as  modest  and  unassuming  as  you 
please,  the  more  so  the  better :  let  your  sub- 
ject and  object  be  to  you  all  in  all. 

Applause — 
Waits  on  success :  the  fickle  multitude, 
Like  the  light  straw,  that  floats  along  the  stream, 
Glide  with  the  current  still,  and  follow  fortune. 
Men  judge  actions — always  by  events: 
But,  when  we  manage,  by  a  jastforsesight, 
Success — is  prudence,  and  possession — right. 

579.  Oun  Book.  In  this  abridged  outline 
of  the  Principles  of  Elocution,  the  author  has 
endeavored  to  appreciate  the  age  and  state 
of  those,  who  will  he  likely  to  read,  or  study 
the  work ;  for  it  is  designed  for  both  purposes ; 
and  if  the  reader,  or  student,  shall  experience 
a  tithe  of  the  pleasure  in  rightly  using  it,  as 
the  author  has  in  writing  it,  his  aspirations 
will  be  fully  realized.  The  more  these  sub- 
jects are  examined,  and  their  principles  ap- 
plied to  practice,  the  more  will  it  be  seen  and 
felt,  that  no  one  can  become  a  good  elocu- 
tionist, unless  he  studies  body  and  mind, 
matter  and  si-iniT  ;  and  makes  the  results 
his  own,  by  actual  appropriation ;  science 
and  art,  theory  and  practice,  must  go  hand 
in  hand,  to  develop  and  perfect  us  for  earth 

or  HEAVEN. 

If  you  did  know — to  whom  I  gave  the  ring, 

If  you  did  know— for  whom  I  gave  the  ring, 

And  would  conceive  for  what  I  gave  the  ring, 

And  how  unwillingly — I  left  the  ring, 

When  nought  would  be  accepted — but  the  ring, 

You  would  abate  the  strength  of  your  displeasure. 

As  travelers — oft  look  back,  at  eve, 

When  eastward — darkly  going, 
To  gaze — upon  that  light — they  leave, 

Still  faint  behind  them — glowing, — 
So,  when  the  close  of  pleasure's  day — 

To  gloom  hath  near  consigned  us, 
We  turn — to  catcli  one  fading  ray 

Of  joy,  that's  left  behind  us. 

Miscellaneous.  1.  A  wise  man — is  wil- 
ling to  profit  by  the  errors  otothers;  because 
he  does  not,  under  the  impulse  of  pride,  con- 
demn and  despise  them;  but,  while  his  judg- 
ment— disapproves,  his  heart — pities  them. 
2.  It  is  the  constant  tendency  of  man,  when 
in  a  perverted  state  of  the  will,  and  according 
to  the  state  of  such  perversion,  to  make  the 
reason,  or  understanding,  everything,  and  to 
pay  little  or  no  attention  to  the  state  of  the 
affections ;  and  also  to  regulate  his  ad  inns 
more  by  external,  than  infernal  considera- 
tions; this  state  and  tendency  is  the  cause 


of  the  prevalence  of  the  pride  of  science  in 
the  literary  world.  3.  The  true  christian  has 
no  confidence  in  mere  feelings,  or  in  that 
sort  of  good,  which,  being  without  truth,  its 
appointed  guide  and  protector,  is  transient 
and  inoperative. 

Anecdote.  A  Wise  Decision.  EU.ia.Am- 
bert,  a  .young  Parisian  lady,  resolutely  dis- 
carded a  gentlman,  to  whom  she  was  to  have 
been  married,  because  he  ridiculed  religion. 
Having  given  him  a  gentle  reproof,  he  replied, 
"  that  a  man  of  the  world  could  not  be  so  old- 
fashioned,  as  to  regard  God  and  religion" 
Eliza  started ;  but,  on  recovering  herself,  said, 
"  From  this  moment,  sir,  when  I  discover  that 
you  do  not  regard  religion,  I  cease  to  be 
yours.  He,  who  does  not  love  and  honor 
Go  I,  can  never  love  his  wife,  constantly  and 
sincerely" 

Yes,  love  indeed  is  light  from  Heaven ; 
A  spark  of  that  immortal  fire 

With  angels  shared,  by  Alia  given, 
To  lift  from  earth  our  low  desire 

Devotion  wafts  the  mind  above, 

But  Heaven  itself  descends  in  love; 

A  feeling  from  the  Godhead  caught, 

To  wean  from  self  each  sordid  thought; 

A  ray  of  him  who  form'd  the  whole ; 

A  glory  circling  round  the  soul ! 
Varieties.    1 .  Neglect  not  time  present ; 
despair  not  of  time  past;  never  despair.    2. 
Infamy — is  where  it  is  received.    If  thou  art 
a  mud  wall,  it  will  stick, — if  marble,  it  will 
rebound.    If  thou  storm  at  it,  it  is  thine;  if 
thou  contemn  it, — it  is  gone.     3.  Ridicule 
seems  to  dishonor,  worse  than  dishonor  itself. 
4.  It  is  heaven,  on  earth,  to  have  the  mind 
move  in  charity,  rest  in  Providence,  and  turn 
on  the  truth.    5.  A  long  life  may  be  passed 
without  finding  a  friend,  in  whose  under- 
standing and  virtue,  we  can  equally  confide, 
and  whose  opinion,  we  can  value  at  once  for 
its  justice  and  sincerity.    6.  A  weak  man, 
however  honest,  is  not  qualified  to  judge.    7. 
A  man  of  the  world,  however  penetrating,  is 
not  fit  to  counsel.    8.  What  is  the  great,  es- 
sen/iat  evil  of  intemperance?  The  voluntary 
extinction  of  reason.    9.  What  breaks   the 
heart  of  the  drunkard's  ivife  ?    It  is  not,  that 
he  is  poor,-  but,  that  he  is  a  drunkard.    10. 
How  shall  we  arrest,  how  suppress  this  great 
evil]     To  rescue  men,  we  must  act  on  them 
inwardly,  and  outwardly;  by  giving  strength 
within,  to  withstand  the  temptation,  and  re- 
move the  temptation  without. 
Thou  sun,  (said  I.)  fair  light.' 
And  thou  enlightened  earth,  so  fresh,  and  gay  ; 
Ye  hiils,  and  dales,  ye  rivers,  woods  and  plains, 
And  ye,  that  live  and  move,  fair  creatures,  tell, 
Tell — if  you  know,  how  came  I  thus  ;  how  here? 
Flowers — are  the  alphabet  of  angels,  whereby 
They  write  on  hills,  and  fields,  mysterious  truths. 
Riches,  like  insects,  when  concealed,  they  lie, 
Wait  but  for  their  wings,  and  in  their  season,  fly. 

N.  E.  The  latter  part  of  the  work  is  much  ab:id^ed,  and  por- 
tions of  the  original  matter  omitted,  to  make  more  room  for  the 
Readings  and  Recitations,  and  still  keep  the  book,  within  what 
are  deemed  proper  limits :  this  will  rationally  account  for  its  in- 
coherency,  as  well  as  brevily.— Chit  more  last  word  to  thepupil. 
FEEL  RIGHT— THINK  RIGHT,  AND  ACT  RIGHT,  AND 
YOU  SHALL  BECOME  ALL  THAT  YOU  ARE  CAPABLE 
OF,  AND  ALL  THAT  YOU  CAN  DESIRE. 


238 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


IVoteS*  In  these  exercises,  there  is  a  continual  recurrence 
of  the  preceding  principles,  and  all  designed  for  thinkers  and 
workers.  As  there  are  no  such  things  as  TIME  and  SPACE  be- 
longing to  the  mind,  the  nearer  we  approach  to  their  annihilation, 
the  more  readily  can  we  memorize :  for  which  reason  small 
type  are  used  ;  and  also  variety,  for  the  purpose  of  assisting  in  the 
preservation  of  the  sight,  and  maintaining  our  independence  of 
spectacles :  in  consideration  of  which,  it  should  be  observed,  that 
books  must  be  read,  by  varying  their  distances  from  the  eyes; 
sometimes  quite  near,  at  others  farther  off:  also  practice  the  sight 
in  locking  at  surrounding  objects,  in  their  proper  positions  from 
nearest  to  farthest. 

5SO.  Immortality  or  the  Soul. 
Among  various  excellent  arguments — ibr  the 
immortality  of  the  soul,  there  is  one  drawn 
from  the  perpetual  progress  of  the  soul  to  its 
perfection,  without  a  possibility  of  ever  arri- 
ving at  it. 

How  can  it  enter  into  the  thoughts  of  man, 
that  the  soul,  winch  is  capable  of  such  im- 
mense perfections,  and  of  receiving  new  im- 
provements to  all  eternity,  shall  fall  away  into 
nothing,  almost  as  soon  as  it  is  created  1  Are 
such  abilities  made  for  no  purpose  1  A  brute 
arrives  at  a  point  of  perfection  that  he  can 
never  pass:  in  a  few  years,  he  has  all  the  en- 
dowments he  is  capable  of;  and,  were  he  to 
live  ten  thousand  more,  would  be  the  same 
thing  he  is  at  present. 

Man  does  not  seem  born  to  enjoy  life,  but 
to  deliver  it  down  to  others.  This  is  not  sur- 
prising to  consider  in  animals,  which  are 
formed  for  our  use,  and  can  finish  their  busi- 
ness in  a  short  life.  The  silk-worm,  after  hav- 
ing spun  her  task,  lays  her  eggs,  and  dies. 
But  a  man — can  never  have  taken  in  his  full 
measure  of  knowledge,  has  not  time  to  sub- 
due his  passions,  establish  his  soul  in  virtue, 
and  come  up  to  the  perfection  of  his  nature, 
before  he  is  hurried  off  the  stage. 

Would  an  infinitely  wise  Being  —  make 
such  glorious  creatures  for  so  mean  a  pur- 
pose"? Can  he  delight  in  the  production  of 
such  abortive  intelligences,  such  short-lived 
reasonable  beings 7  Would  he  give  us  tal- 
ents, that  are  not  to  be  exerted  I  capacities 
that  are  never  to  be  gratified  7 

How  can  we  find  that  wisdom,  which  shines 
through  all  his  works,  in  the  formation  of 
man,  without  looking  on  t his  world  as  only  a 
nursery  for  the  next,  and  believing,  that  the 
several  generations  of  rational  creatures, 
which  rise  up  and  disappear,  in  such  quick 
successions,  are  only  to  receive  their  first  ru- 
diments of  existence  here,  and  afterwards,  to 
be  transplanted  into  a  more  friendly  climate, 
where  they  may  spread,  and  flourish — to  all 
'  eternity '.' — Addison. 

VTRTUOUS   FRIENDSHIP. 

Is  aught  so  fair, 
In  all  the  dewy  landscapes  of  the  spring, 
In  the  bright  eye  of  Hesper,  or  the  morn  ; 
In  nature's  fairest  forms. — is  aught  so  fair 
As  virtuous  friendship  ?  as  the  candid  blush 
Of  him  who  strives  with  fortune  to  be  just? 
The  graceful  tear,  that  streams  for  others'  woes  ? 
Or  the  mild  majesty  of  private  life, 
Where  peace,  witli  ever-blooming  olive,  crowns 
The  gate  ?  where  honor's  liberal  hands  effuse 
Unenvied  treasures,  and  the  snowy  wings 
Of  innocence  and  love,  protect  the  scene  ? 

That — I  spent, — that — I  had; 

That — I  gave, — tliat — I  have; 

That— I  left,— that— I  lost. 


5S1.  F  a  >•  c  if.d  Infallibility.  When 
man  has  looked  about  him,  as  far  as  he  can, 
he  concludes  there  is  no  more  to  be  seen; 
when  he  is  at  the  end  of  his  line,  he  is  at 
the  bottom  of  the  ocean;  when  he  has  shot 
his  best,  he  is  sure  none  ever  did,  nor  ever 
can  shoot  better,  or  beyond  it;  his  own  rea- 
son is  the  certain  measure  of  truth ;  his  own 
knowledge,  of  what  is  possible  in  nature; 
though  his  mind  and  his  thoughts,  change 
every  seven  years,  as  well  as  his  strength  arid 
his  features :  nay,  though  his  opinions  change 
every  week  or  every  da}',  yet  he  is  sure,  or  at 
least  confident,  that  his  present  thoughts  and 
conclusions  are  just  and  true,  and  cannot  be 
deceived. 

OUR  TOILS   AND   THEIR   REWARD. 

He,  who  ascends  to  mountain-tops,  shall  find 

The  loftiest  peaks,  most  wrapt  in  clouds,  and 
He,  who  surpasses,  or  subdues  mankind,     [snow; 

Must  look  down  on  the  hate,  of  those  below. 
Though  high  above,  the  sun  of  glory  glow, 

And  far  beneath,  the  earth  and  ocean  spread ; 
Round  him,  are  icy  rocks,  and  loudly  blow 

Contending  tempests,  on  his  naked  head,  [led. 
And  thus,  reward  the  toils,  which  to  those  summits 

582.  Parts  of  the  Whole.  This  sun, 
with  all  its  attendant  planets,  is  but  a  very 
little  part  of  the  grand  machine  of  the  uni- 
verse; every  star,  though  no  bigger  in  ap- 
pearance than  the  diamond,  that  glitters 
on  a  lady's  ring,  is  really,  a  vast  globe,  like 
the  sun  in  size,  and  in  glory ;  no  less  spa- 
cious, no  less  luminous,  than  the  radiant 
source  of  the  day  :  so  that  every  star  is  not 
barely  a  world,  but  the  centre  of  a  magnifi- 
cent system  ;  has  a  retinue  of  worlds  irradia- 
ted by  its  beams,  and  revolving  round  its  at- 
tractive influence, — all  which  are  lost  to  our 
sight,  in  unmeasurable  wilds  of  ether. 

SHE    WALKS  IN   BEAUTY. 

She  walks  in  beauty,  like  the  night 

Of  cloudless  climes,  and  starry  skies; 
And  all  that's  best,  of  dark  and  bright, 

Meet  in  her  aspect,  and  her  eyes: 
Thus  mellowed  to  that  tender  light, 

Which  heaven,  to  gaudy  day  denies. 
One  shade  the  more,  one  ray  the  less, 

Had  half  impaired  the  nameless  grace, 
Which  waves  in  every  raven  tress, 

Or  softly  lightens  o'er  her  face  ; 
Where  thoughts,  serenely  sweet,  express 

How  pure,  how  dear,  their  dwelling  place. 
And  on  that  cheek,  and  o'er  that  brow, 

So  soft,  so  calm,  yet  eloquent, 
The  smiles  that  win,  the  tints  that  glow, 

But  tell  of  days,  in  goodness  spent, 
A  mind  at  peace,  with  all  below, 
A  heart,  whose  love,  is  innocent ! 

Men — are  made  to  bend 
Before  the  mighty,  and  to  follow  on 
Submissive,  where  the  great  may  lead — the  great, 
Whose  might — is  not  in  crowns  and  palaces, 
In  parchment-rolls,  or  blazon'd  heraldry, 
But  in  the  power  of  thought,  the  energy 
Of  unsupported  mind,  whose  steady  will 
No  force  can  daunt,  no  tangled  path  divert 
From  its  right  onward  purpose. 

Will  he  be  idle,  who  has  much  V  enjoy  ? 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


239 


583.  Changing  and  Unchanging.  When 
We  have  looked  on  the  pleasures  of  life,  and  they 
have  vanished  away;  when  we  have  looked  on 
the  works  of  nature,  and  perceived  that  they  were 
changing;  on  the  monuments  of  art.  and  seen  that 
they  would  not  stand  ;  on  our  friends,  and  they  have 
fled  while  we  were  gazing:  on  ourselves,  and  felt 
that  we  were  as  fleeting  as  they  ;  when  we  have 
looked  on  every  object  to  which  we  could  turn  our 
ar  rious  eyes,  and  they  have  all  told  us  that  they 
could  give  us  no  hope  nor  support,  because  they 
■were  so  feeble  themselves;  we  can  look  to  the 
throne  of  God :  change  and  decay  have  never 
reached  that;  the  revolution  of  ages  has  never 
moved  it;  the  waves  of  an  eternity  have  been  rush- 
ing past  it,  but  it  has  remained  unshaken;  the 
waves  of  another  eternity  are  rushing  toward  it, 
but  it  is  fixed,  and  can  never  be  disturbed. 

INFANT  SLEEPING   IN  A   GARDEN. 

Sleep  on,  sweet  babe !  the  flowers,  that  wake 

Around  thee,  are  not  half  so  fair; 
Thy  dimpling  smiles,  unconscious  break, 

Like  sunlight,  on  the  vernal  air. 
Sleep  on!  no  dreams  of  care  are  thine. 

No  anxious  thoughts,  that  may  not  rest; 
For  angel  arms  around  thee  twine, 

To  make  thy  infant  slumbers  bless'd. 
Perchance  her  spirit  hovers  near. 

Whose  name,  thy  infant  beauty  bears, 
To  guard  thine  eyelids,  from  the  tear 

That  every  child  of  sorrow  shares. 
Oh !  may  thy  life,  like  hers  endure, 

Unsullied  to  its  spotless  close; 
And  bend  to  earth,  as  calm  and  pure 

As  ever  bowed  the  summer  rose. — Dawes. 

584.  The  estimate  and  valor  of  a  man,  con- 
sist in  the  heart,  and  in  the  will ;  there,  his 
true  honor  lives  ;  valor  is  stability,  not  of  legs 
and  arms,  but  of  courage,  and  the  soul ;  it 
does  not  lie  in  the  valor  of  our  horse,  nor  of 
our  arms,  but  in  ourselves.  He,  that  falls  ob- 
stinate in  his  courage,  Si  succiderit  de  genu 
mignat ;  if  his  legs  fail  him,  fights  upon  his 
knees. 

A  mother's  love. 
Hast  thou  sounded  the  depths — of  yonder  sea, 
And  counted  the  sands,  that  under  it  be  ? 
Hast  thou  measured  the  height — of  heaven  above? 
Then — mayest  thou  mete  out — the  mothers  love. 
Hast  thou  talked  with  the  blessed,  of  leading  on, 
To  the  throne  of  God — some  wandering  son? 
Hast  thou  witnessed  the  angels'1  bright  employ? 
Then — mayest  thou  speak  of  a  mother'' s  joy. 
Earning  and  morn — hast  thou  watched  the  bee 
Go  forth,  on  her  errands  of  industry? 
The  bee,  for  herself,  hath  gather'd  and  toil'd, 
But  the  mother's  cares — are  all  for  her  child. 
Hast  thou  gone  with  the  traveler,  Thought,  afar, 
From  pole  to  pole,  and  from  star  to  star! 
Thou  hast — but  on  ocean,  earth,  or  sea, 
The  heart  of  a  mother — has  gone  with  thee. 
There  is  not  a  grand,  inspiring  thought, 
There  is  not  a  truth— by  wisdom  taught, 
There  is  not  a  feeling,  pure  and  high, 
That  may  not  be  read— in  a  mother's  eye. 
There  are  teachings  on  earth,  and  sky,  and  air, 
The  heavens — the  glory  of  God  declare ; 
But  louder — than  voice  beneath,  above, 
He  is  heard  to  speak— through  a  mother's  love. 


585.  Balance  op  Happiness  EauAL.  An 
extensive  contemplation  of  human  affairs, 
will  lead  us  to  the  conclusion, — that  among 
the  different  conditions,  and  ranks  of  men, 
the  balance  of  happiness — is  preserved,  in 
a  great  measure,  equal ;  and  that  the  high 
and  the  low,  the  rich  and  the  poor,  approach, 
in  point  of  real  enjoyment,  much  nearer  to 
each  other,  than  is  commonly  imagined.  In 
the  lot  of  man,  mutual  compensations,  both 
of  pleasure,  and  of  pain,  universally  take 
place.  Providence  never  intended,  that  any 
state  here,  should  be  either  completely  happy, 
or  entirely  miserable.  If  the  feelings  of  pleas- 
ure are  more  numerous,  and  more  lively,  in 
the  higher  departments  of  life,  such,  also,  are 
those  of  pain.  If  greatness  flatters  our  vani- 
ty, it  multiplies  our  dangers.  If  opulence  in- 
creases our  gratifications,  it  increases,  in  the 
same  proportion,  our  desires  and  demands. 
If  the  poor — are  confined  to  a  more  narrow 
circle,  yet,  within  that  circle,  lie  most  of  those 
natural  satisfactions,  which,  after  all  the  re- 
finements of  art,  are  found  to  be  the  most 
genuine  and  true.  In  a  state,  therefore, 
where  there  is  neither  so  much  to  be  coveted, 
on  the  one  hand,  nor  to  be  dreaded,  on  the 
other,  as  at  first  appears,  how  submissive 
ought  we  to  be — to  the  disposal  of  Provi- 
dence !  how  temperate — in  our  desires,  and 
pursuits!  how  much  more  attentive  —  to 
preserve  our  virtue,  and  to  improve  our 
minds,  than  to  gain  the  doubtful,  and  equivo- 
cal advantages  of  worldly  prosperity. — Blair. 

a  rainy  day. 
It  rains.    What  lady — loves  a  rainy  day  ?- 
Not  she,  who  puts  prunello  on  her  foot, 
Zephyrs  around  her  neck,  and  silken  socks 
Upon  a  graceful  ankle, — nor  yet  she, 
Who  sports  her  tasseled  parasol  along 
The  walks,  beau-crowded,  on  some  sunny  noon, 
Or  trips  in  muslin,  in  a  winter's  night, 
On  a  cold  sleigh-ride— to  a  distant  ball. 
She  loves  a  rainy  day,  who  sweeps  the  hearth, 
And  threads  the  busy  needle,  or  applies 
The  scissors  to  the  torn,  or  thread-bare  sleeve; 
Who  blesses  God,  that  she  has  friends  at  home  ; 
Who,  in  the  pelting  of  the  storm,  will  think 
Of  some  poor  neighbor,  that  she  can  befriend; 
Who  trims  the  lamp  at  night,  and  reads  aloud, 
To  a  young  brother,  tales  he  loves  to  hear ; 
Or  ventures  cheerfully  abroad,  to  watch 
The  bedside  of  some  sick,  and  suffering  friend, 
Administering  that  best  of  medicines, 
Kindness,  and  tender  care,  and  cheering  hope  : 
Such — are  not  sad,  e'en  on  a  rainy  day. 

Mankind  are  all  hunters  in  various  degree  ; 
The  priest  hunts  a  living — the  lawyer  a  fee, 
The  doctor  a  patient — the  courtier  a  place, 
Though  often,  like  us,  he's  flung  out  in  the  chace. 
The  cit  hunts   a  plum — while  the  soldier  hunts 
The  poet  a  dinner — the  patriot  a  name  ;    [fame, 
And  the  practic'd  coquette,  tho'  she  seems  to  re- 
in spite  of  her  airs,  still  her  lover  pursues,  [fuse, 
He's  on  his  guard,  who  knows  his  enemy  ; 
And  innocence — may  safely  trust  her  shield 
Against  an  open  foe  ;  but  icho's  so  mailed, 
That  slander  shall  not   reach   him?      Coward 
Stabs  in  the  dark.  [calumny 

Heaven's  great  view  is  one,  and  that — the  whole. 


240 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


587.  Our  Country.  And  let  the  sa- 
cred obligations  which  have  devolved  on 
this  generation,  and  on  us,  sink  deep  into 
our  hearts.  Those  are  daily  dropping  from 
among  us,  who  established  our  liberty  and 
our  government.  The  great  trust  now  des- 
cends to  new  hands.  Let  us  apply  our- 
selves to  that  which  is  presented  to  us,  as 
our  appropriate  object.  We  can  win  no  lau- 
rels in  a  war  for  independence.  Earlier  and 
worthier  hands  have  gathered  them  all.  Nor 
are  there  places  for  us  by  the  side  of  Solon, 
and  Alfred,  and  other  founders  of  states. 
Our  fathers  have  filled  them.  But  there  re- 
mains to  us  a  great  duty  of  defence  and  pre- 
servation ;  and  there  is  opened  to  us,  also,  a 
noble  pursuit,  to  which  the  spirit  of  the  times 
strongly  invites  us.  Our  proper  business  is 
improvement.  Let  our  age  be  the  age  of  im- 
provement. In  a  day  of  peace,  let  us  advance 
the  arts  of  peace,  and  the  works  of  peace ; 
let  us  develop  the  resources  of  our  land;  call 
forth  its  powers,  build  up  its  institutions,  pro- 
mote all  its  great  interests,  and  see  whether 
we  also,  in  our  day  and  generation,  may  not 
perforin  something  worthy  to  be  remembered. 
Let  us  cultivate  a  true  spirit  of  union  and 
harmony.  In  pursuing  the  great  objects  which 
our  condition  points  out  to  us,  let  us  act  un- 
der a  settled  conviction,  and  an  habitual  feel- 
ing, that  these  twenty-six  states  are  one 
country.  Let  our  conceptions  be  enlarged 
to  the  circle  of  our  duties.  Let  us  extend  our 
ideas  over  the  whole  of  the  vast  field  in  which 
we  are  called  to  act.  Let  our  object  be,  our 
country,  our  whole  country,  and  nothing  but 
our  country.  And,  by  the  blessing  of  God, 
may  that  country  itself  become  a  vast  and 
splendid  monument,  not  of  oppression  and 
terror,  but  of  wisdom,  of  peace,  and  of  liberty, 
upon  which  the  world  may  gaze  with  admir- 
ation forever. — Webster. 

DISAPPOINTED   AMBITION. 

In  full-blown  dignity — see  Wolsey  stand, 
Law — in  his  voice,  and  fortune — in  his  hand ;  [sign; 
To  him,  the  church,  the  realm,  their  powers  con- 
Through  him,  the  rays  of  regal  bounty  shine; 
Turn'd  by  his  nod,  the  stream  of  honor  flows ; 
His  smile  alone,  security  bestows. 
Still,  to  new  heights,  his  restless  wishes  tower; 
Claim  leads  to  claim,  and  power  advances  power; 
Till  conquest,  unresisted,  ceased  to  please, 
And  rights  submitted — left  him  none  to  seize. 
At  length,  his  sovereign  frowns;  the  train  of  state 
Maik  the  keen  glance,  and  watch  the  sign  to  hate. 
Where'er  he  turns,  he  meets  a  stranger's  eye ; 
His  suppliants  scorn  him,  and  his  followers  fly. 
How  drops,  at  once,  the  pride  of  awful  state, 
The  golden  canopy,  the  glittering  plate, 
The  regal  palace,  the  luxurious  board, 
The  liveried  army,  and  the  menial  lord! 
With  age,  with  cares,  with  maladies  oppressed, 
He  seeks  the  refuge  of  monastic  rest. 
Grief  aids  disease,  remembered  folly  stings, 
And  his  last  sighs — reproach  the  faith  of  kings. 

Expectation.  It  is  proper  for  all  to  re- 
member, that  they  ought  not  to  raise  expecta- 
tion, which  it  is  not  in  their  power  to  satisfy, 
and  that  it  is  more  pleasing  to  sec  smoke 
brightening  into  flame,  than  flame — sinking 
into  smoke. 

Frailty—thy  name  is  Man;  the  earth— waits  her  king. 
Frailty— thy  name  is  'Toman;  the  earth—  waits  her  queen. 


5  88.  Moral  Effects  of  Intemferakce. 
The  sullerings  of  animal  nature,  occasioned 
by  intemperance,  are  not  to  be  compared  with 
the  moral  agonies,  which  convulse  the  souL 
It  is  an  immortal  being,  who  sins,  and  suffers; 
and,  as  his  earthly  house  dissolves,  he  is  ap- 
proaching the  judgment-seat,  in  anticipation 
of  a  miserable  eternity.  He  feels  his  capti- 
vity, and,  in  anguish  of  spirit,  clanks  his 
chain,  and  cries  for  help.  Conscience  thun- 
ders, remorse  goads,  and,  as  the  gulph  opens 
before  him,  he  recoils,  and  trembles,  and 
weeps,  and  prays,  and  resolves,  and  pro- 
mises, and  reforms,  and  "  seeks  it  yet  again ;" 
again  resolves,  and  weeps,  and  prays,  and 
"seeks  it  yet  again!"  Wretched  man!  he 
has  placed  himself  in  the  hands  of  a  giant, 
who  never  pities,  and  never  relaxes  his  iron 
gripe.  He  may  struggle,  but  lie  is  in  chains. 
He  may  cry  for  release,  but  it  comes  not; 
and  lost!  lost!  may  be  inscribed  on  the  door- 
posts of  his  dwelling.  In  the  meantime,  these 
paroxysms  of  his  dying  nature  decline,  and 
a  fearful  apathy,  the  harbinger  of  spiritual 
death,  comes  on.  His  resolution  fails,  and 
his  mental  energy,  and  his  vigorous  enter- 
prise ;  and  nervous  irritation  and  depression 
ensue.  The  social  affections  lose  their  full- 
ness and  tenderness,  and  conscience  loses  its 
power,  and  the  heart  its  sensibility,  until  all 
that  was  once  lovely,  and  of  good  report,  re- 
tires and  leaves  the  wretch,  abandoned  to 
the  appetites  of  a  ruined  animal.  In  this  de- 
plorable condition,  reputation  expires,  busi- 
ness falters,  and  becomes  perplexed,  and 
temptations  to  drink  multiply,  as  inclination 
to  do  so  increases,  and  the  power  of  resistance 
declines.  And  now  the  vortex  roars,  and  the 
struggling  victim  buffets  the  fiery  wave,  with 
feehier  stroke,  and  warning  supplication,  un- 
til despair  flashes  upon  his  soul,  and,  with  an 
outcry,  that  pierces  the  heavens,  he  ceases  to 
strive,  and  disappears. — Beecker. 

THE   DESTRUCTION  OF   SENACHEKIB. 
The  Assyrian  came  down,  like  a  wolf — on  the  fold, 
And  his  cohorts — were  gleaming— in  purple,  and  gold ; 
And  the  sheen  of  his  spears — was  like  stars — on  the  sea, 
When  the  blue  wave — rolls  nightly,  on  deep  Galilee. 
Like  the  leaves  of  the  forest — when  summer  is  green, 
That  host,  with  their  banners,  at  sunset  were  seen: 
Like  the  leaves  of  the  forest  when  autumn  hath  blown, 
That  host,  on  the  morrow  lay  withered  and  strowu. 
For  the  angel  of  death — spread  his  wings  on  the  blast, 
And  breathed  in  the  face  of  the  foe,  as  he  passed ; 
And  the  eyes  of  the  sleepers — waxed  deadly,  and  chill, 
And  their  hearts,  but  once  heaved,  and  forever,  were  still ! 
And  there — lay  the  steed,  with  his  nostrils  all  wide, 
But  through  them — there  rolled  not  the  breath  cf  his  pridej 
And  the  foam  of  his  gasping — lay  white  on  the  turf, 
And  cold — as  the  spray  of  the  rock-beating  surf. 
And  there — lay  the  rider,  distorted,  and  pale, 
With  the  dew  on  his  brow,  and  the  rust  on  his  mail; 
And  the  tents  were  all  silent,  the  banners  alone, 
The  lances — unlifted,  the  trumpets — unblown. 
And  the  widows  of  Ashur— are  loud  in  their  wail, 
And  the  idols  are  broke— in  the  temple  of  Baal; 
And  the  might  of  the  Gentile,  uusmote  by  the  sword, 
Hath  melted,  like  snow,  in  the  glance  of  the  Lord  ! — Byron. 

Justice — is  as  strictly  due  between  neigh- 
bor nations,  as  between  neighbor  citizens. 
A  highwayman  is  as  much  a  robber,  when 
he  plunders  in  a  gang,  as  when  single,  and 
a  nation,  that  makes  an  unjust  war,  is  only 
a  great  gang. 

True  happiness — is  to  no  place  confined : 
But  still  is  found — in  a  contented  mind 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


241 


597.   NATIONAL   GLORY. 

We  are  asked,  what  have  we  gained  by  the 
war  7  I  have  shown,  that  we  have  lost  noth- 
ing, either  in  rights,  territory,  or  honor;  noth- 
ing, for  which  we  ought  to  have  contended, 
according  to  the  principles  of  the  gentlemen 
on  the  other  side,  or  according  to  our  own. 
Have  we  gained  nothing — by  the  war?  Let 
any  man — look  at  the  degraded  condition  of 
this  country — before  the  war.  the  scorn  of 
the  umverse,  the  contempt  of  ourselves,  and 
tell  me  if  we  have  gained  nothing  by  the 
war.  What  is  our  present  situation  7  Re- 
spectability, and  character,  abroad,  security, 
and  confidence,  at  home.  If  we  have  not  ob- 
tained, in  the  opinion  of  some,  the  full  meas- 
ure of  retribution,  our  character,  and  constitu- 
tion, are  placed  on  a  solid  basis,  never  to  be 
shaken. 

The  glory  acquired  by  our  gallant  tars,  by 
our  Jacksons,  and  our  Browns  on  the  land — 
is  that — nothing  7  True  we  had  our  vicissi- 
tudes: there  are  humiliating  events,  which 
the  patriot  cannot  review,  without  deep  re- 
gret— but  the  great  account,  when  it  comes 
to  be  balanced,  will  be  found  vastly  in  our 
favor.  Is  there  a  man,  who  would  obliterate, 
from  the  proud  pages  of  our  history,  the  bril- 
liant achievements  of  Jackson,  Brown,  and 
Scott,  and  the  host  of  heroes  on  land,  and 
sea,  whom  I  cannot  enumerate  7  Is  there  a 
man,  who  could  not  desire  a  participation — 
in  the  national  glory,  acquired  by  the  war! 
Yes,  national  glory,  which,  however  the  ex- 
pression may  be  condemned  by  some,  must 
be  cherished  by  every  genuine  patriot. 

What  do  I  mean  by  national  glory  7  Glo- 
ry  such  as  Hull,  Jackson,  and  Perry  have  ac- 
quired. And  are  gentlemen  insensible  to 
their  deeds — to  the  value  of  them  in  anima- 
ting the  country  in  the  hour  of  peril  hereaf- 
ter !  Did  the  battle  of  Thermopylae — pre- 
serve Greece  but  once  7  Whilst  the  Missis- 
sippi— continues  to  bear  the  tributes  of  the 
Iron  Mountains,  and  the  Alleghenies — to  her 
Delta,  and  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  the  eighth 
of  January  shall  be  remembered,  and  the  glo- 
ry of  that  day  shall  stimulate  future  patriots, 
and  nerve  the  arms  of  unborn  freemen,  in 
driving  the  presumptuous  invader  from  our 
country's  soil. 

Gentlemen  may  boast  of  their  insensibility 
to  feelings  inspired  by  the  contemplation  of 
such  events.  But  I  would  ask.  does  the  re- 
collection of  Bunker's  Hill,  Saratoga,  and 
Yorktown,  afford  no  pleasure!  Every  act 
of  noble  sacrifice  of  the  country,  every  in- 
stance of  patriotic  devotion  to  her  cause,  has 
its  beneficial  influence.  A  nation's  character 
— is  the  sum  of  its  splendid  deeds;  they  con- 
stitute one  common  patrimony,  the  nation's 
inheritance.  They  awe  foreign  powers ;  they 
arouse  and  animate  our  own  people.  I  love 
true  glory.  It  is  this  sentiment  which  ought 
to  be  cherished;  and,  in  spite  of  cavils,  and 
sneers,  and  attempts  to  put  it  down,  it  will 
rise  triumphant,  and  finally  conduct  this  na- 
tion to  that  height — to  which  nature,  and  na- 
ture's God — have  destined  it. — Clay. 

598.   THE   FLIGHT   OF    XEKXES. 

I  saw  him — on  the  battle-eve, 

When,  like  a  king,  he  bore  him, — 

Proud  hosts,  in  glittering  helm,  and  greave, 
And  prouder  chiefs — before  him: 

The  warrior,  and  the  warrior's  deeds—       _ 
31  X 


The  morrow,  and  the  morrow's  meeds, — 
No  daunting  thoughts — came  o'er  him; 
He  looked  around  him,  and  his  eye — 
Defiance  flashed — to  earth,  and  sky. 
He  looked  on  ocean, — its  broad  breast 

Was  covered — with  his  fleet; 
On  earth  :  and  saw,  from  east — to  west, 

His  bannered  millions  meet: 
While  rock,  and  glen,  and  cave,  and  coast, 
Shook — with  the  war-cry  of  that  host, 

The  thunder — of  their  feet! 
He  heard — the  imperial  echoes  ring.- 
He  heard, — and  felt  himself— a  king. 
I  saw  him,  next,  alone :  nor  camp, 

Nor  chief,  his  steps  attended ; 
Nor  banner  blazed,  nor  coursers  tramp, 

With  war-cries,  proudly  blended, 
He,  stood  alone,  whom  fortune  high, 
So  lately,  seemed  to  deify ; 

He,  who  with  heaven  contended, 
Fled,  like  a  fugitive,  and  slave  ! 
Behind., — the  foe ;  before, — the  wave. 
He  stood ;  fleet,  army,  treasure, — gone, — 

Alone,  and  in  dispair ! 
But  wave,  and  wind — swept  ruthless  on, 

For  they  were  monarchs  there  : 
And  Xerxes,  in  a  single  bark, 
Where  late — his  thousand  ships  were  dark, 

Must  all  their  fury  dare : 
What  a  revenge — a  trophy,  this — 
For  thee,  immortal  Salamis  ! — Jeivsbury. 
599.  ossian's  address  to  the  moox. 
Daughter  of  heaven,  fair  art  thou !  the  si- 
lence of  thy  face  is  pleasant !    Thou  comest 
forth  in  loviiness.    The  stars  attend  thy  blue 
course  hi  the  east.    The  clouds  rejoice  in 
thy  presence,  O  moon.    They  brighten  their 
dark-brown  sides.    Who  is  like  thee,  in  heav- 
en, light  of  the  silent  night !    The  stars,  in 
thy  presence,  turn  away  their  sparkling  eyes. 
Whither  dost  thou  retire  from  thy  course, 
when  the  darkness  of  thy  countenance  grows! 
Hast  thou  thy  hall,  like  Ossian7     Dwellest 
thou  in  the  shadow  of  grief!     Have  thy  sis- 
ters fallen  from  heaven  7    Are  they,  who  re- 
joice with  thee  at  night,  no  morel      Yes! 
they  have  fallen,  fair  light !  and  thou  dost  oft- 
en retire  to  mourn.    But  thou  thyself  shalt 
fail,  one  night,  and  leave  thy  blue  path  in 
heaven. 

The  stars  will  then  lift  up  their  heads,  and 
rejoice.  Thou  art  now  clothed  with  thy 
brightness.  Look  from  thy  gates  in  the  sky. 
Burst  the  cloud,  O  wind,  that  the  daughter  of 
night  may  look  forth :  that  the  shaggy^  moun- 
tains may  brighten,  and  the  ocean  roll  its 
white  waves  in  light. 

SHIP. 

Her  sails  were  set,  but  the  dying  wind 

Scarce  wooed  them,  as  they  trembled  on  the  yard 

With  an  uncertain  motion.    She  arose, 

As  aswan  rises  on  her  gilded  wind's. 

When  on  a  lake,  at  sunset,  she  uprears 

Her  form  from  out  the  waveless  stream,  and  steers 

Into  the  far  blue  ether — so,  that  ship 

Seem'd  lifted  from  the  waters,  and  suspended, 

Wing'd  with  her  bright  sails,  in  the  silent  air. 

For  age,  and  want,  serve — while  you  may  ; 

No  morning  sun — lasts  a  whole  day. 


242 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


592.  A  Battle-field.  We  cannot  see 
an  individual  expire,  though  a  stranger,  or 
an  enemy,  without  being  sensibly  moved,  and 
prompted  by  compassion,  to  lend  him  every 
assistance  in  our  power.  Every  trace  of  re- 
sentment— vanishes  in  a  moment ;  every 
other  emotion — gives  way  to  pity  and  terror. 
In  these  last  extremities,  we  remember  noth- 
ing, but  the  respect  and  tenderness,  due  to 
our  common  nature.  What  a  scene,  then, 
must  a  field  of  battle  present,  where  thou- 
sands are  left,  without  assistance,  and  with- 
out pity,  with  their  wounds  exposed  to  the 
piercing  air,  wdiile  their  blood,  freezing  as  it 
flows,  binds  them  to  the  earth,  amid  the 
trampling  of  horses,  and  the  insults  of  an  en- 
ranged  foe!  Far  from  their  native  home, 
no  tender  assiduities  of  friendship,  no  well- 
known  voice,  no  wife,  or  mother,  or  sister,  is 
near,  to  soothe  their  sorrows,  relieve  their 
thirst,  or  close  their  eyes  in  death.  Unhappy 
man  !  and  must  you  be  swept  into  the  grave, 
unnoticed,  and  unnumbered,  and  no  friendly 
tear  be  shed  for  your  sufferings,  or  mingled 
with  your  dust'.' 

593.      BURIAL   OF   SIE  JOHN  MOORE. 

Not  a  drum  I  was  heard  I  nor  a  funeral  |  note, 

As  his  corse  I  to  the  ramparts  I  we  hurried, 
Not  a  soldier  I  discharged  I  his  farewell  shot, 

O'er  the  grave  I  where  our  hero  I  we  buried. 
We  buried  him  I  darkly  I  at  dead  of  night, 

The  turf  1  with  our  bay 'nets  I  turning. 
By  the  struggling  moonbeam's  I  misty  light, 

And  our  lanterns  I  dimly  burning. 
Few  and  short  I  were  the  prayers  I  we  said, 

And  we  spoke  I  not  a  word  I  of  sorrow,  [dead, 
But  we  steadfastly  gazed  I  on  the   face  I  of  the 

And  we  bitterly  thought  I  on  the  morrow. 
No  useless  coffin  I  confined  his  breast, 

Nor  in  sheet  I  nor  in  shroud  I  we  bound  him, 
But  he  lay  I  like  a  warrior  I  taking  his  rest, 

With  his  martial  cloak  I  around  him. 
We  thought  I  as  we  heaped  I  the  narrow  bed, 

And  smoothed  down  I  his  lonely  pillow, 
That  the  foe  I  and  the  stranger  I  would  tread  o'er 

And  we  I  far  away  I  on  the  billow,  [his  head, 
Lightly  they'll  talk  |  of  the  spirit  I  that's  gone, 

And  o'er  his  cold  ashes  I  upbraid  him. 
But  nothing  he'll  reck  I  if  they  let  him  sleep  on, 

In  the  grave  I  where  a  Briton  has  laid  him. 
But  half  I  our  heavy  task  I  was  done, 

When  the  clock  1  told  the  hour  for  retiring, 
And  we  heard  the  distant  I  and  random  gun, 

That  the  foe  I  was  sullenly  firing. 
Slowly  I  and  sadly  I  we  laid  him  down, 

From  the  field  of  his  fame,  fresh,  and  gory, 
We  carved  not  a  line,  we  raised  not  a  stone, 

But  we  left  him  I  alone  in  his  glory. 

594.      CASSIUS    AGAINST   CAESAR. 

Honor — is  the  subject  of  my  story  ;■ — 
I  cannot  tell  what  you,  and  other  men — 
Think  of  ihis  life  ;  but  for  my  single  self, 
I  had  as  lief  not  ho,  as  live  to  be 
In  awe — of  such  a  thing — as  myself, 
/was  born  free  as  Csesar  ;  so  were  you; 
We  have  both  fed  as  well ;  and  we  can  both 
Endure  the  winter's  cold  as  well  as  he. 
For,  once  upon  a  raw  and  gusty  day, 
The  troubled  Tiber,  chafing  with  its  shores, 


Caesar  says  to  me, — ""Barest  thou,  Cassius,  now 

Leap  in  with  me,  into  this  angry  flood, 

And  swim  to  yonder  point  V—  Upon  the  word, 

Accoutred  as  I  was,  I  plunged  in, 

And  bade  him  follow;  so,  indeed,  he  did. 

The  torrent  roared,  and  we  did  buffet  it ; 

With  lusty  sinews,  throwing  it  aside, 

And  stemming  it,  with  hearts  of  controversy. 

But  ere  we  could  arrive  the  point  proposed, 

Caesar  cried, — "  Help  me,  Cassius,  or  I  sink." 

/.  as  JEneas,  our  great  ancestor, 

Did  from  the  flames  of  Troy,  upon  his  shoulder 

The  old  Anchises  bear,  so,  from  the  waves  oi 

Did  I— the  tired  Casar ;  and  this  man —   [Tiber, 

Is  now — become  a  god  ;  and  Cassius — is 

A  wretched  creature,  and  must  bend  his  body, 

If  Crcsar — carelessly  but  nod  on  him. 

He  had  a  fever  when  he  was  in  Spain, 
And  when  the  ./it  was  on  him,  I  did  mark 
How  he  did  shake :  'tis  true,  this  god  did  shake; 
His  coward  lips  did  from  their  color  fly  ; 
And  that  same  eye,  whose  bend  doth  awe  the 
Did  lose  its  lustre  ;  I  did  hear  him  groan,  [world, 
Aye,  and  that  tongue  of  his,that  bade  the  Romans 
Mark  him,  and  write  his  speeches  in  their  books, 
"Alas!"  it  cried — "Give  me  some  drink, Titinius." 
As  a  sick  girl. 

Ye  gods !  it  doth  amaze  me, 
A  man  of  such  a  feeble  temper— should 
So  get  the  start  of  the  majestic  world, 
And  bear  the  palm  alone. 

Why,  man,  he  doth  bestride  the  narrow  world, 
Like  a  Colossus,  and  we,  petty  men, 
Walk  under  his  huge  legs,  and  peep  about, 
To  find  ourselves  dishonorable  graves. 
Men,  at  some  time,  are  masters  of  their  fates  : 
The  fault,  dear  Brutus,  is  not  in  our  stars, 
But  in  ourselves,  that  we  are  underlings.  [CECsar? 
Brutus — and  Casar !     What  should  be  in  that 
Why  should  that  name  be  sounded  more  than 

yours  ? 
Write  them  together  :  yours  is  as  fair  a  name  ; 
Sound  them  :  it  doth  become  the  mouth  as  well ; 
Weigh  them  :  it  is  as  heavy  ;  conjure  with  'em  : 
Brutus — will  start  a  spirit,  as  soon  as  Cssar. 

Now,  in  the  name  of  all  the  gods  at  once, 
Upon  what  meats— doth  this  our  Cresar  feed, 
That  he  hath  grown  so  great  ?    Age,  thou  art 

ashamed ; 
Rome,  thou  hast  lost  the  breed  of  noble  bloods. 
When  wenttherebyan  age,  since  the  great  flood, 
But  it  was  famed  with  more  than  with  one  man'} 
When  could  they  say,  till  now,  that  talked  of 

Rome, 
That  her  wide  walls  encompassed  but  one  man1! 
Oh  !  you,  and  I — have  heard  our  fathers  say, 
There  was  a  Brutus  once,  th't  would  have  brooked 
The  infernal  devil,  to  keep  his  state  in  Rome, 
As  easily  as  a  king. 

A  warm,  heart — in  this  cold  world — is  like 
A  beacon-Wght — wasting  feeble  flame 
Upon  the  wintry  deep,  that  feels  it  not, 
And,  trembling  with  each  pitiless  gust  th't  blows, 
Till  its  faint  fire — is  spent. 

JVature,  in  her  productions  slow,  aspires, 
By  just  degrees,  to  reach  perfection's  height. 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


243 


604.  AGAINST  THE   AMERICAN   WAR. 

I  cannot,  my  lords,  I  will  not,  join  in  con- 
gratulation on  misfortune,  and  disgrace.  This, 
my  lords,  is  a  perilous,  and  tremendous  mo- 
ment. It  is  not  a  time  for  adulation:  the 
smoothness  of  flattery — cannot  save  us,  in 
this  ragged,  and  awful  crisis,  it  is  now  ne- 
cessary .  to  instruct  the  throne,  in  the  language 
of  truth.  We  must,  if  possible,  dispel  the  de- 
lusion, and  darkness,  which  envelop  it;  and 
display,  in  its  full  danger,  and  genuine  colors, 
the  ruin,  which  is  brought  to  our  doors.  Can 
ministers,  still  presume  to  expect  support,  in 
their  infatuation  !  Can  parliament,  be  so 
dead  to  its  dignity,  and  duty,  as  to  give  their 
support  to  measures,  thus  obtruded,  and  for- 
cer] upon  them  7  Measures,  my  lords,  which 
have  reduced  this  late  flourishing  empire — to 
scorn,  and  contempt!  "  liut  yesterday,  and 
Britain  might  have  stood  against  the  world; 
now,  none"so  poor,  as  to  do  her  reverence." 
The  people,  whom  we  at  first  despised  as  re- 
bels, but  whom  we  now  acknowledge  as  ene- 
mies, are  abetted  against  us,  supplied  with 
every  military  stored  have  their  interest  con- 
sulted, and  their  embassadors  entertained  by 
our  inveterate  enemy — and  ministers  do  not, 
and  ii  a  he  not,  interpose,  with  dignity,  or  ef- 
fect. The  desperate  state  of  our  army  abroad, 
is  in  part  known.  No  man  more  highly  es- 
teems, and  honors  the  British  troops,  than  I 
do;  I  know  their  virtues,  and  their  valor;  I 
know  they  can  achieve  anything,  but  impos- 
sibilities; and  I  know  that  the  conquest  of 
British  America  is  an  impossibility.  You 
cannot,  my  lords,  you  cannot  conquer  Amer- 
ica. What  is  your  present  situation  there  1 
We  do  not  know  the  worst ;  but  we  know, 
that  in  three  campaigns,  we  have  done  no- 
thing, and  suffered  much.  You  may  swell 
every  expense,  and  accumulate  every  assist- 
ance, and  extend  your  traffic  to  the  shambles 
of  every  German  despot :  your  attempts  will 
be  forever  vain,  and  impotent — doubly  so, 
indeed,  from  this  mercenary  aid,  on  which 
you  rely ;  for  it  irritates,  to  an  incurable  re- 
sentment, the  minds  of  your  adversaries,  to 
overrun  them  with  the  mercenary  sons  of  ra- 
pine, and  plunder,  devoting  them,  and  their 
possessions,  to  the  rapacity  of  hireling  cruelty. 
If  J  were  an  American,  as  I  am  an  English- 
man, while  a  foreign  troop  was  landed  in  my 
country,  I  never  would  lay  down  my  arms; 
No — Never,  never,  never. — Chatham. 

605.   THE   WHISKERS. 

The  kings,  who  rule  mankind  with  haughty  sway, 

The  prouder  pope,  whom  even  kings  obey —   [fall, 
Love,  at  whose  shrine  both  popes,  and  monarchs 
And  e'en  self-interest,  that  controls  them  all — 
Possess  a  petty  power,  when  all  combined, 
Compared  with  fashion's  influence  on  mankind; 
For  love  itself  will  oft  to  fashion  bow; 
The  following  story  will  convince  you  how: 
A  petit  maitre  wooed  a  fair, 
Of  virtue,  wealth,  and  graces  rare; 
But  vainly  had  preferr'd  his  claim, 
The  maiden  own'd  no  answering  flame ; 
At  length,  by  doubt  and  anguish  torn, 
Suspense,  too  painful  to  be  borne, 
Low  at  her  feet  he  humbly  kneel'd, 
And  thus  his  ardent  flame  reveal'd : 

"  Pity  my  grief,  angelic  fair, 
Behold  my  anguish,  and  despair; 
For  you,  this  heart  must  ever  burn — 
O  bless  me,  with  a  kind  return; 
My  love,  no  language  can  express, 
Reward  it  then,  with  happiness; 


Nothing  on  earth,  but  you  I  prize, 

All  else  is  trifling  in  my  eyes; 

And  cheerfully,  would  I  resign 

The  wealth  of  worlds,  to  call  you.  mine. 

But,  if  another  gain  your  hand, 

Far  distant  from  my  native  land, 

Far  hence,  from  you,  and  hope,  I'll  fly, 

And  in  some  foreign  region  die." 

The  virgin  heard,  and  thus  replied: 
"If  my  consent  to  be  your  bride, 
Will  make  you  happy,  then  be  blest; 
But  grant  me,  first,  one  small  request; 
A  sacrifice  I  must  demand, 
And,  in  return,  will  give  my  hand." 

"  A  sacrifice  !  O  speak  its  name, 
For  you  I'd  forfeit  wealth,  and  fame; 
Take  my  whole  fortune — every  cent — " 

"  'Twas  something  more  than  wealth  I  meant." 

"  Must  I  the  realms  of  Neptune  trace7 

0  speak  the  word — where'er  the  place, 
For  you,  the  idol  of  my  soul, 

I'd  e'en  explore  the  frozen  pole; 
Arabia's  sandy  desert  tread, 
Or  trace  the  Tigris  to  its  head." 
"O  no,  dear  sir.  I  do  not  ask, 
So  long  a  voyage,  so  hard  a  task  : 
You  must — but  ah!  the  boon  I  want, 

1  have  no  hope  that  you  will  grant." 
"  Shall  I,  like  Bonaparte,  aspire 

To  be  the  world's  imperial  sire? 
Express  the  wish,  and  here  I  vow, 
To  place  a  crown  upon  your  brow." 

"  Sir,  these  are  trifles" — she  replied — 
"  But.  if  you  wish  me  for  your  bride, 
You  must — but  still  I  fear  to  speak — 
You'll  never  grant  the  boon  I  seek." 

"  O  say !"  he  cried — "  dear  angel  say — 
What  must  I  do,  and  I  obey; 
No  longer  rack  me  with  suspense, 
Speak  your  commands,  and  send  me  hence." 

"  Well,  then,  dear  generous  youth  !"  she  cries, 
"  If  thus  my  heart  you  really  prize, 
And  wish  to  link  your  fate  with  7>iine, 
On  one  condition  I  am  thine  ; 
'Twill  then  become  my  pleasing  duty, 
To  contemplate  a  husband's  beauty  ; 
And,  gazing  on  his  manly  face, 
His  feelings,  and  his  wishes  trace; 
To  banish  thence  each  mark  of  care, 
And  light  a  smile  of  pleasure  there. 
O  let  ine  then,  'tis  all  I  ask, 
Commence  at  once  the  pleasing  task ; 
O  let  me,  as  becomes  my  place, 
Cut  those  huge  whiskers  from  your  face." 

She  said — but  O,  what  strange  surprise — 
Was  pictured  in  her  lover's  eyes! 
Like  lightning,  from  the  ground  he  sprung, 
While  wild  amazement  tied  his  tongue  ; 
A  statue,  motionless,  he  gazed, 
Astonish'd,  horror-struck,  amazed. 
So,  look'd  the  gallant  Perseus,  when 
Medusa's  visage  met  Lis  ken; 
So,  look'd  Macbeth,  whose  guilty  eye 
Discern'd  an  "  air-drawn  dagger"  nigh; 
And  so,  the  prince  of  Denmark  stared, 
When  first  his  father's  ghost  appeared. 

At  length,  our  hero,  silence  broke, 
And  thus,  in  wildest  accents  spoke: 
"  Cut  off  my  ichiskers !  O  ye  gods  ! 
I'd  sooner  lose  my  ears,  by  odds ; 
Madam,  I'd  not  be  so  disgraced, 
So  lost  to  fashion,  and  to  taste, 
To  win  an  empress  to  my  arms; 
Though  blest  with  more  than  mortal  charms. 
My  whiskers  !  Zounds  !"     He  said  no  more, 
But  quick  retreated  through  the  door, 
And  sought  a  less  obdurate  fair, 
To  take  the  beau,  with  all  his  hair. —  Woodworth. 
This  path,  you  say,  is  hid  in  endless  night ; 
"Xis  sdfconctil,  alone,  obstructs  your  sight. 


244 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


597.  Osstan's  Address  to  the  Sun.  O 
thou,  that  rollest  above,  round  as  the  shield 
of  my  fathers!  whence  are  thy  beams,  () 
sun!  thy  everlasting  light'!  Thou  comest 
forth  in  thy  awful  beauty;  the  stars  —  hide 
themselves  in  the  sky  ;  the  moon,  cold  and 
pale,  sinks  in  the  western  wave.  But  thou, 
thyself,  movest  alone :  who  can  he  a  com- 
panion of  thy  course'!  The  oaks  of  the 
mountains  fall;  the  mountains  themselves 
decay  with  years:  the  ocean  shrinks,  and 

frows  again ;  the  moon,  herself,  is  lost  in  the 
eavens ;  but  thou — art  forever  the  same,  re- 
joicing in  the  brightness  of  thy  course.  When 
the  world  is  dark  with  tempests,  when  thun- 
ders roll,  and  lightnings  fly,  thou  lookest  in 
thy  beauty  from  the  clouds,  and  laughest  at 
the  storm.  But  to  Ossian — thou  lookest  in 
vain ;  for  he  beholds  thy  beams  no  more ; 
whether  thy  yellow  hair — flows  on  the  east- 
ern clouds,  or  thou  tremblest  at  the  gates  of 
the  west.  But  thou  art,  perhaps,  like  me,  for 
a  season :  thy  years  will  have  an  end.  Thou 
wilt  sleep  in  thy  clouds,  careless  of  the  voice 
of  the  morning. 

598.   DOUGLAS'S  ACCOUNT   OF   HIMSELF. 

My  name  is  Nerval:  on  tbe  Grampian  hills 

My  father  feeds  his  flocks  ;  a  frugal  swain, 

Whose  constant  cares,  were  to  increase  his  store, 

And  keep  his  only  son,  myself,  at  home. 

Fori  had  heard  of  battles,  and  I  longed 

To  follow  to  the  field— some  warlike  lord ; 

And  Heaven  soon  granted — what  my  sire  denied. 

This  moon  which  rose  last  night,round  as  my  shield, 

Had  not  yet  filled  her  horn,  when,  by  her  light, 

A  band  of  fierce  barbarians,  from  the  hills, 

Rushed  like  a  torrent — down  uponMhe  vale, 

Sweeping  our  flocks  and  herds.  The  shepherds  fled 

For  safety,  and  for  succor.    I,  alone. 

With  bended  bow,  and  quiver  full  of  arrows, 

Hovered  about  the  enemy,  and  marked 

The  road  he  took  ;  then  hasted  to  my  friends, 

Whom,  with  a  troop  of  fifty  chosen  men, 

I  met  advancing.    The  pursuit  I  led, 

Till  we  o'ertook  the  spoil-encumbered  foe.  [drawn, 

We  fought,  and  conquered.    Ere  a  sword  was 

An  arrow  from  my  bow — had  pierced  their  chief, 

Who  wore,  that  day,  the  arms  which  now  I  wear. 

Returning  home  in  triumph,  I  disdained 

The  shepherd's  slothful  life  ;  and  having  heard 

That  our  good  king — had  summoned  his  bold  peers 

To  lead  their  warriors  to  the  Carron  side, 

I  left  my  father's  house,  and  took  with  me 

A  chosen  servant  to  conduct  my  steps, — 

Yon  trembling  coward,  who  forsook  his  master. 

Journeying  with  this  intent,  I  passed  these  towers, 

And,  heaven-directed,  came  this  day  to  do 

The  happy  deed,  that  gilds  my  humble  name. 

MORAL  TRUTH    INTELLIGIBLE   TO  ALL. 

The  shepherd  lad,  who,  in  the  sunshine,  carves 

On  the  green  turf  a  dial,  to  divide 

The  silent  hours  ;  and  who,  to  that  report, 

Can  portion  out  his  pleasures,  and  adapt 

His  round  of  pastoral  duties,  is  not  left 

With  less  intelligence,  for  moral  things, 

Of  gravest  import.    Early,  he  perceives, 

Within  himself,  a  measure,  and  a  rule, 

Which,  to  the  sun  of  truth,  he  can  apply, 

That  shines  for  him,  and  shines  for  all  mankind. 


599.  Of  Elocution.  Elocution — is  the 
art,  or  the  act,  of  so  delivering  our  own  tho'ts 
and  feelings,  or  the  thoughts  and  feelings  of 
others,  as  not  only  to  convey  to  those  around 
us,  with  precision,  force,  and  harmony,  the  full 
purport,  and  meaning  of  the  words  and  sen- 
tences, hi  which  these  thoughts  are  clothed ; 
but  also,  to  excite  and  to  impress  upon  their 
minds  the  feelings,  imaginations,  and  pas- 
sions, by  which  those  thoughts  are  dictated,  or 
by  which  they  should  naturally  be  accompani- 
ed. Elocution,  therefore,  in  its  more  ample 
and  liberal  signification,  is  not  confined  to  the 
mere  exercise  of  the  organs  of  speech.  It 
embraces  the  whole  theory  and  practice  of 
the  exterior  demonstration  of  the  inward 
workings  of  the  mind.  To  concentrate  what 
has  been  said  by  an  allegorical  recapitulation: 
Eloquence — may  be  considered  as  the  soul,  or 
animated  principle  of  discourse ;  and  is  de- 
pendent on  intellectual  energy  and  intellect- 
ual attainments.  Elocution — is  the  embo- 
dying form,  or  representative  power ;  depen- 
dent on  exterior  accomplishments,  and  on 
the  cultivation  of  the  organs.  Oratory — is 
the  complicated  and  vital  existence,  resulting 
from  the  perfect  harmony  and  combination 
of  eloquence  and  elocution.  The  vital  exis- 
tence, however,  in  its  full  perfection,  is  one 
of  the  choicest  rarities  of  nature.  The  high 
and  splendid  accomplishments  of  oratory, 
even  in  the  most  favored  age  and  the  most 
favored  countries,  have  been  attained  by  few ; 
and  many  are  the  ages,  and  many  are  the 
countries,  in  which  these  accomplishments 
have  never  once  appeared.  Generations  have 
succeeded  to  generations,  and  centuries  have 
rolled  after  centuries,  during  which,  the  in- 
tellectual desert  has  not  exhibited  even  one 
solitary  specimen  of  the  stately  growth  and 
flourishing  expansion  of  oratorical  genius. 
The  rarity  of  this  occurrence  is,  undoubtedly, 
in  part,  to  be  accounted  for,  from  the  difficul- 
ty of  the  attainment.  The  palm  of  oratori- 
cal perfection  is  only  to  be  grasped — it  is,  in 
reality,  only  to  be  desired,  by  aspiring  souls, 
and  'intellects  of  unusual  energy.  It  re- 
quires a  persevering  toil  which  few  would  be 
contented  to  encounter ;  a  decisive  intrepid- 
ity of  character,  and  an  untamableness  of 
mental  ambition,  which  very,  very  few  can 
he  expected  to  possess.  It  requires,  also, 
conspicuous  opportunities  for  cultivation  and 
display,  to  which  few  can  have  the  fortune 
to  he  born,  and  which  fewer  still  will  have 
the  hardihood  to  endeavor  to  create. 

VIRTUE  THE   GUARDIAN  OF   YOUTH. 

Down  the  smooth  stream  of  life  the  stripling  darts, 
Gay  as  the  morn ;  bright  glows  the  vernal  sky, 
Hope  swells  his  sails,  and  Passion  steers  his  course. 
So  glides  his  little  bark  along  the  shore, 
Where  virtue  takes  her  stand  :  but  if  too  far 
He  launches  forth  beyond  discretion's  mark, 
Sudden  the  tempest  scowls,  the  surges  roar, 
Blot  his  fair  day,  and  plunge  him  in  the  deep. 

" My  boy,  the  unwelcome  hour  is  come, 

When  thou,  transplanted  from  thy  genial  home, 
Must  find  a  colder  soil,  and  bleaker  air, 
And  trust  for  safety — to  a  stranger's  care." 
Deceit — is  the  false  road  to  happiness  ; 
And  all  the  joys  we  travel  to,  through  vice, 
hike  fairy  banquets,  vanish  when  we  touch  them. 
See  all,  but  man,  with  uneam'd pleasure  gay. 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


245 


600.  PcrrrosED  SpEEcn  of  Jotin  Adams  on 
ADorTiNv;  the  Declaration  of  Independence. 
It  is  true,  indeed,  that  in  the  beginning,  we  aim- 
ed not  at  independence.  But  there's  a  Divinity, 
which  shapes  our  ends.  The  injustice  of  England 
lias  driven  us  to  arms;  and,  blinded  to  her  own 
interest,  for  ovr  good,  she  has  obstinately  persist- 
ed, till  independence  is  now  within  our  grasp. 
We  have  but  to  reach  forth  to  it,  and  it  is  ours. 
Why,  then,  should  we  defer  the  declaration?  Is 
any  man  so  weak,  as  now  to  hope  for  a  reconci- 
liation with  England,  which  shall  leave  either 
safety  to  the  country,  and  its  liberties,  or  safety  to 
his  own  life,  and  his  own  honor? 

Are  not  you,  sir,  who  sit  in  that  chair;  is  not 
he,  our  venerable  colleague  near  you;  are  you  not 
both,  already,  the  proscribed,  and  predestined  ob- 
jects of  punishment,  and  of  vengeance?  Cut  off 
from  all  hope  of  royal  clemency,  what  are  you, 
what  ran  you  be,  while  the  power  of  England  re- 
mains, but  outlaws?  If  we  postpone  independence, 
do  we  mean  to  carry  on,  or  to  give  up  the.  war? 
Do  we  mean  to  submit  to  the  measures  of  parlia- 
ment, Boston  port-bill  and  all  ?  Do  we  mean  to 
submit,  and  consent  that  we  ourselves  shall  be 
ground  to  powder,  and  our  country  and  its  rights 
trodden  down  in  the  dust? 

I  know  we  do  not  mean  to  submit.  We  never 
shall  submit.  Do  we  intend  to  violate  that  most 
solemn  obligation,  ever  entered  into  by  men,  that 
plighting,  before  God,  of  our  sacred  honor  to  Wash- 
ington, when,  putting  him  forth  to  incur  the  dangers 
of  war,  as  well  as  the  political  hazards  of  the  times, 
we  promised  to  adhere  to  him,  in  every  extrem- 
ity, with  our  fortunes,  and  our  lives? 

I  know  there  is  not  a  man  here,  who  would  not 
rather  see  a  general  conflagration  sweep  over  the 
land,  or  an  earthquake  sink  it,  than  one  jot  or  tittle 
of  that  plighted  faith  to  fall  to  the  ground.  For 
myself,  having,  twelve  months  ago,  in  this  place, 
moved  you.  that  George  Washington  be  appointed 
commander  of  the  forces,  raised,  or  to  be  raised, 
for  defence  of  American  liberty,  may  my  right 
hand  forget  her  cunning,  and  my  tongue  cleave  to 
the  roof  of  my  mouth,  if  I  hesitate,  or  waver  in  the 
support  I  give  him. 

The  war,  then,  must  go  on.  We  must  fight  it 
through.  And,  if  the  war  must  go  on,  why  put  off 
longer] the  declaration  of  independence?  That 
measure  will  strengthen  us.  It  will  give  us  char- 
acter abroad.  The  nations  will  then  treat  with  us  ; 
which  they  never  can  do,  while  we  acknowledge 
ourselves  subjects,  in  arms  against  our  sovereign. 
Nay,  I  maintain,  that  England  herself  will  sooner 
treat  for  peace  with  us,  on  the  footing  of  indepen- 
dence, than  consent,  by  repealing  her  acts,  to  ac- 
.  knowledge  that  her  whole  conduct  toward  us,  has 
been  a  course  of  injustice  and  oppression. 

Her  pride  will  be  less  wounded,  by  submitting 
to  that  course  of  things,  which  now  predestinates 
our  independence,  than  by  yielding  the  points  in 
controversy  to  her  rebellious  subjects  The  former 
she  would  regard  as  the  result  of  fortune  ;  the  latter 
she  would  feel  as  her  own  deep  disgrace.  Why 
then,  sir,  do  we  not,  as  soon  as  possible,  change 
this  from  a  civil  to  a  national  war?  And,  since 
we  must  fight  it  through,  why  not  put  ourselves  in 

x2 


a  state  to  enjoy  all  the  benefits  of  victory,  if  we 
gain  the  victory? 

If  we  fail,  it  can  be  no  worse  for  us.— But  we 
shall  not  fail.  The  cause  will  raise  up  armies; 
the  cause  will  create  navies.  The  people,  if  we 
are  true  to  them,  will  carry  us,  and  will  carry 
themselves,  gloriously  through  this  struggle.  I  care 
not  how  fickle  other  people  have  been  found.  I 
know  the  people  of  these  colonies;  and  I  know, 
that  resistance  to  British  aggression  is  deep  and 
settled  in  their  hearts,  and  cannot  be  eradicated. 
Every  colony,  indeed,  has  expressed  its  willing- 
ness to  follow,  if  we  but  take  the  lead. 

Sir,  the  declaration  will  inspire  the  people  with 
increased  courage.  Instead  of  a  long  and  bloody 
war  for  restoration  of  privileges,  for  redress  of 
grievances,  for  chartered  immunities,  held  under 
a  British  king,  set  before  them  the  glorious  object 
of  entire  independence,  and  it  will  breathe  into 
them  anew  the  breath  of  life.  Read  this  declara- 
tion at  the  head  of  the  army;  every  sword  will  be 
drawn  from  its  scabbard,  and  the  solemn  vow  ut- 
tered, to  maintain  it  or  to  perish  on  the  bed  of  honor. 
Publish  it  from  the  pulpit;  religion  will  approve  it, 
and  the  love  of  religious  liberty  will  cling  around 
it,  resolved  to  stand  with  it,  or  fall  with  it.  Send 
it  to  the  public  halls;  proclaim  it  there;  let  them 
hear  it,  who  heard  the  first  roar  of  the  enemy's 
cannon;  let  them  see  it,  who  saw  their  brothers 
and  their  sons  fall  on  the  field  of  Bunker-Hill,  and 
in  the  streets  of  Lexington  and  Concord, — and  the 
very  walls  will  cry  out  in  its  support. 

Sir,  I  know  the  uncertainty  of  human  affairs; 
but  I  see  clearly,through  this  day's  business.  You 
and  J,  indeed,  may  rue  it.  We  may  not  live  to 
the  time,  when  this  declaration  shall  be  made  good. 
We  may  die;  die,  colonists;  die,  slaves;  die,  it 
may  be,  ignominiously,  and  on  the  scaffold.  Be  it 
so.  If  it  be  the  pleasure  of  Heaven,  that  my  coun- 
try shall  require  the  poor  offering  of  my  life,  the 
victim  shall  be  ready,  at  the  appointed  hour  of 
sacrifice,  come  when  that  hour  may. 

But,  whatever  may  be  our  fate,  be  assured  that 
this  declaration  will  stand.  It  may  cost  treasure, 
and  it  may  cost  blood  ;  but  it 'will  stand,  and  it  will 
richly  compensate  for  both.  Through  the  thick 
gloom  of  the  present,  I  see  the  brightness  of  the 
future  as  the  sun  in  heaven.  We  shall  make  this 
a  glorious,  an  immortal  day.  When  we  are  in 
our  graves,  our  children  will  honor  it.  They  will 
celebrate  it  with  thanksgiving,  with  festivity,  with 
bonfires,  and  illuminations.  On  its  annual  return, 
they  will  shed  tears,  copious,  gushing  tears,  not  of 
subjection  and  slavery,  not  of  agony  and  distress, 
but  of  exultation,  of  gratitude,  and  of  joy.  Sir,  be- 
fore God  I  believe  the  hour  is  come.  My  judgment 
approves  this  measure,  and  my  whole  heart  is  in 
it.  All  that  I  am,  all  that  I  have,  and  all  that.  I  hope 
for,  in  this  life,  I  am  now  ready  here  to  stake  upon 
it :  and  I  leave  off,  as  I  began  ;  sink  or  swim;  live 
or  die ;  survive,  or  perish,  I  am  for  the  declaration : 
it  is  my  living  sentiment;  and,  by  the  blessing  of 
God,  it  shall  be  my  dT/mg-sentiment— Independence 
now!  and  independence — foeever! — Webster. 

Be  not  dismayed— fear — nurses  up  a  danger  ; 
And  resolution — kills  it, — in  the  birth. 


246 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


601.  The  Effects  of  Gentleness. 
Gentleness — is  the  great  avenue  to  mutual 
enjoyment.  Amidst  the  strife  of  interfering 
interests,  it  tempers  the  violence  of  conten- 
tion, and  keeps  alive  the  seeds  of  harmony. 
It  softens  animosities,  renews  endearments, 
and  renders  the  countenance  of  man,  a  re- 
freshment to  man.  Banish  gentleness  from 
the  earth;  suppose  the  world  to  be  filled, 
with  none  but  harsh  and  contentious  spirits, 
and  what  sort  of  society  would  remain!  the 
solitude  of  the  desert  were  preferable  to  it. 
The  conflict  of  jarring  elements  in  chaos, 
the  cave  where  subterraneous  winds  contend 
and  rear,  the  den  where  serpents  hiss  and 
beasts  of  the  forest  howl,  would  be  the  only- 
proper  representation  of  such  assemblies  of 
men.  Strange  !  that,  where  men  have  all  one 
common  interest,  they  should  so  often  concur 
in  defeating  it.  Has  not  nature  already  pro- 
vided a  sufficient  quantity  of  evils  for  the 
state  of  man  7  As  it  we  did  not  suffer  enough 
from  the  storm  which  beats  upon  us  without, 
must  we  conspire  also,  in  those  societies 
where  we  assemble,  in  order  to  find  a  retreat 
from  that  storm,  to  harass  one  another? 

A   NIGHT  SCENE   IN   TURKEY. 

'Twas  midnight:  on  the  mountains  brown 
The  cold  round  moon— shone  brightly  down  ; 
Blue  rolled  the  ocean,  blue  the  sky 
Spread,  like  an  ocean,  hung  on  high, 
Bespangled  with  those  isles  of  light, 
So  wildly,  spiritualty  bright ; 
Who  ever  gazed  upon  them,  shining, 
And  turned  to  earth,  without  repining, 
Nor  wished  for  wings  to  fly  away, 
And  mix — with  their  eternal  ray  ? 
The  waves,  on  either  shore,  lay  there, 
Calm,  clear,  and  azure  as  the  air, 
And  scarce  their  foam— the  pebbles  shook, 
But  murmured  meekly,  as  the  brook. 
The  winds— were  pillowed  on  the  waves, 
The  banners  drooped — along  their  staves, 
And  as  they  fell  around  them,  furling, 
Above  them— shone  the  crecent  curling; 
And  that  deep  silence  was  unbroke, 
Save  when  the  watch— his  signal  spoke, 
Save  when  the  steed— neighed  oft  and  shrill, 
And  echo  answered— from  the  hill, 
And  the  wide  hum — of  that  wild  host 
Rustled,  like  leaves,  from  coast  to  coast, 
As  rose  the  Muezzin's  voice  in  air, 
In  midnight  call— to  wonted  prayer. 
It  rose,  that  chaunted,  mournful  strain, 
Like  some  lone  spirit's — o'er  the  plain  ; 
'Twas  musical,  but  sadly  sweet, 
Such  as,  when  winds,  and  harp-strings  meet ; 
And  take  a  long,  unmeasured  tone, 
To  mortal  minstrelsy,  unknown: 
It  seemed  to  those,  within  the  wall, 
A  cry— prophetic  of  their  fall ; 
It  struck — even  the  besieger's  ear, 
With  something  omnious,  and  drear, — 
An  undefined,  and  sudden  thrill, 
Which  makes  the  heart— a  moment  still ; 
Then  beat,  with  quicker  pulse,  ashamed 
Of  that  strange  sense— its  silence  framed; 
Such  as  a  sudden  passing  bell 
Wakes,  though  but  for  a  stranger's  knell. 
Know  tliyself. 


603.  Press  On.  This  is  a  speech,  brief, 
but  full  of  inspiration,  and  opening  the  way 
to  all  victory.  The  mystery  of  Napoleon's 
career  was  this,— under  all  difficulties  and 
discouragements,  "  press  on  !"  It  solves  the 
problem  of  all  heroes;  it  is  the  rule,  by  which 
to  weigh  rightly,  all  wonderful  successes,  and 
triumphal  marches — to  fortune  and  genius. 
It  should  be  the  motto  of  all,  old — and  young, 
high — and  low,  fortunate — and  unfortunate, 
so  called. 

"Press  on!"  Never  despair;  never  be  dis- 
couraged, however  stormy  the  heavens,  how- 
ever dark  the  way  ;  however  great  the  diffi- 
culties, and  repeated  the  failures, — "press 
on  !"  If  fortune — has  played  false  with  thee 
to-day,  do  thou  play  true  for  tliyself  to-mor- 
row. If  thy  riches  have  taken  wings,  and 
left  thee,  do  not  weep  thy  life  away ;  but  be 
up  and  doing,  and  retrieve  the  loss,  by  new 
energies  and  action.  If  an  unfortunate  bar- 
gain— has  deranged  thy  business,  do  not  fold 
thy  arms,  and  give  up  all  as  lost;  but  stir 
thyself,  and  work  the  more  vigorously. 

If  those  whom  thou  hast  trusted,  have  be- 
trayed thee,  do  not  be  discouraged,  do  not 
idly  weep,  but  "  press  on  !"  find  others ;  or, 
what  is  better,  learn  to  live  within  thyself. 
Let  the  foolishness  of  yesterday — make  thee 
wise  to-day.  If  thy  affections — have  been 
poured  out  like  water  in  the  desert,  do  not  sit 
down  and  perish  of  thirst, — but  press  on ;  a 
beautiful  oasis  is  before  thee,  and  thou  mayst 
reach  it,  if  thou  wilt.  If  another — has  been 
false  to  thee,  do  not  thou  increase  the  evil — by 
being  false  to  thyself.  Do  not  say — the  world 
hath  lost  its  poetry  and  beauty ;  'tis  not  so  ; 
and  even  if  it  be  so,  make  thine  own  poetry 
and  beauty,  by  a  brave,  a  true,  and,  abov 
all,  a  religious  life. 

ASPIRATIONS   OF   YOUTH. 

Higher,  higher,  will  we  climb, 

Up — the  mount  of  glory, 
That  our  names— may  live  through  time, 

In  our  country's  story ; 
Happy,  when  her  welfare  calls, 
He,  who  conquers, — he,  who  falls. 
Deeper,  deeper — let  us  toil, 

In  the  mines  of  knowledge  ; 
Nature's  wealth — and  Learning's  spoil 

Win  from  school — and  college  ; 
Delve  we  there — for  richer  gems, 
Than  the  stars  of  diadems. 
Onward,  onward — may  we  pass, 

Through  the  path  of  duty  ; 
Virtue — is  true  happiness, 

Excellence,  true  beauty ; 
Minds — are  of  celestial  birth : 
Make  wc,  then,  a  heaven  of  earth. 
Closer,  closer — let  us  knit 

Hearts,  and  hands  together, 
Where  our  fireside  comforts  sit, 

In  the  wildest  weather  ; 
O,  they  wander  wide,  who  roam 
For  the  joys  of  life,  from  home. 
Nearer,  dearer  bands  of  love, 

Draw  our  souls  in  union, 
To  our  Father's  house  above, 
To  the  saints'  communion  : 
Thither — ev'ry  hope  ascend, 
There— may  all  our  labors  end. 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


247 


603  Haxxibal  to  hts  Soldiers.  On 
what  side  soever  I  turn  my  eyes,  I  behold  all 
full  of  courage  and  strength;  a  veteran  infant- 
ry, a  most  gallant  cavalry;  3-011,  my  allies, 
most  faithful  and  valiant;  you, Carthaginians, 
whom  not  only  your  country's  cause,  but  the 
justest  anger, impels  to  battle.  The  hope,  the 
.•I'  assailants,  is  always  greater  than 
of  those,  who  act  upon  tl.c  defensive.  With 
hostile  banners  displayed,  you  arc  come  down 
upon  Italy;  you  bring  the  war.  Grief,  inju- 
^nities,  lire  your  minds,  and  spur 
you  forward  to  revenge. 

Firstj  they  demand  me — that  J,  your  gener- 
al, should  be  delivered  up  to  them;  next,  all 
.  .  bo  had  fought  at  the  siege  ofSagun- 
tum;  and  we  were  to  be  put  to  death — by  the 
extremest  tortures.  Proud,  and  cruel  nation! 
every  thing  must  be  yours,  and  at  your  dis- 
!  \  oil  are  to  prescribe  to  us.  with  whom 
we  shall  make  war.  with  whom  we  shall  make 
peace !  You  are  to  set  us  bounds ;  to  shut  us 
up  within  hills  and  rivers;  but  3'ou — you  are 
not  to  observe  the  limits,  which  yourselves 
have  fixed. 

Pass  not  the  Iberus !  What  next  l  Touch 
not  the  Saguntines;  is  Saguntum  upon  the 
1  berus  ]  move  not  a  step  towards  that  city.  Is 
it  a  small  matter,  then,  that  you  have  deprived 
us  of  our  ancient  possessions,  Sicily  and  Sar- 
dinia! you  would  have  Spain,  too?  Well, 
we  shall  3'ield  Spain;  and  then — you  will 
pass  into  Africa!  Will  pass,  did  I  say'.'  this 
very  year,  they  ordered  one  of  their  consuls 
into  Africa,  the  other  into  Spain. 

No,  soldiers,  there  is  nothing  left  for  us,  but 
what  we  can  vindicate  with  our  swords. 
Come  on,  then — be  men.  The  Romans — may 
with  more  safety  be  cowards;  they  have  their 
own  country  behind  them;  have  places  of 
refuge  to  dee  to,  and  are  secure  from  danger 
in  the  roads  thither ;  but  for  you,  there  is  no 
middle  fortune  between  death,  and  victory. 
Let  this  be  but  well  fixed  in  your  minds,  and 
once  again,  I  say,  you  are  conquerors. — Livy* 

604:.      VULTURE   AND   CAPTIVE   INFANT. 
I've  been  among  the  mighty  Alps,  and  wandered  thro'  their  vales, 
And  heard  the  honest  mountaineers — relate  their  dismal  tales, 
As  rcund  the  cotters'  blazing  hearth,  when  their  daily  work  was  o'er, 
They  spake  of  those,  who  disappeared,  and  ne'er  were  heard  of 

more. 
And  there,  I,  from  a  shepherd,  heard  a  narrative  of  fear, 
A  tale— to  rend  a  mortal  heart,  which  mothers— might  not  hear  ; 
The  tears — were  standing  in  his  eyes,  his  voice — was  tremulous; 
But,  wiping  all  those  tears  away,  he  told  his  story  thus: 
"It  is  amon*  these  barren  cliffs—  the  ravenous  vulture  dwells, 
Who  never  fattens  on  the  prey,  which  from  afar  he  smells; 
But,  patient,  watching  hour  on  hour,  upon  a  lofty  rock, 
He  singles  out  some  truant  lamb,  a  victim,  from  the  flock. 

One  cloudless  Sabbath  summer  morn,  the  sun  was  rising  high, 
When,  from  my  children  on  the  green,  I  heard  a  fearful  cryy 
As,  if  some  awful  deed  were  done,  a  shriek  of  grief,  and  pain, 
A  cry,  I  humbly  trust  in  God,  I  ne'er  may  hear  again. 

I  hurried  out  to  learn  the  cause;  but,  overwhelmed  v/'itti  fright, 
The  children  never  ceased  to  shriek;  and,  from  my  frenzied  sight, 
I  missed  the  youngest  of  my  babes,  the  darling  of  my  care; 
But  something  caught  my  searching  eyes,  slow  sailing  thro'  the  air. 

Oh!  what  an  nwfid  spectacle— to  meet  n  father's  eye, — 
His  infant— made  a  vultures  prey,  with  terror  to  descry; 
And  "know,  with  agonizing  heart,  and  with  a  maniac  rave, 
That  earthly  power— could  not  avail— that  innocent  to  save! 
My  infant— stretched  his  little  hands— imploringly  to  me, 
And  struggled  with  the  ravenous  bird,  all  vainly  to  get  free: 
At  intervals,  I  heard  his  cries,  as  loud  he  shrieked,  and  screamed! 
Until,  upon  the  azure  sly,  a  lessening  spot  he  seemed. 


The  vulture— flapped  his  sail-like  wings,  though  fteavily  he  flew; 
A  mote,  upon  the  sun's  Droa  '  unto  my  view  ; 

But  o»ce,  I  thought  I  saw  him  stoop,  as  if  he  would  alight, — 
'Twas  only  a  delusive  thought,  for  all  had  vanished  quite. 
All  search  was  vain,  and  years  had  passed  ;  that  child  was  ne'er 
When  once  a  daring  hunter  climbed  unto  a  lofty  spot,        [forgott 

be  chamois  never  reached, 
He  saw — an  infant's  fleshless  bones— the  elements  had  bleached  ! 
I  clambered  up  that  rugged  cliff,—!  coidd  not  stay  away, — 
I  knew  they  were  my  infant's  bones — thus  hastening  to  decay: 
A  tattered  garment — yet  remained,  though  torn  to  many  a  shred  : 
The  crimson  cap— he  wore  that  morn— was  still  upon  his  head." 
That  dreary  spot — is  pointed  out  to  travelers,  passing  by, 
Who  often  stand,  and  musing,  gaze,  nor  go  without  a  sigh  ; 
And  as  /journeyed,  the  nest  morn,  along  my  sunny  way, 
The  precipice  was  shown  to  me,  whereon  the  infant  lay.— Anon. 
605*      THE    HERMIT. 
At  the  close  of  tile  day,  when  the  hamlet  is  still, 
■And  mortals  the  sweets  of  forgetf illness  prove  j 
When  nought,  but  the  torrent,  is  heard  on  the  hill, 

And  nought,  but  the  nightingale's  song,  in  the  grove. 
Twas  thus,  by  the  cave  of  the  mountain  afar, 

While  his  harp  rung  symphonious,  a  hermit  began  ; 
No  more  with  himself,  or  with  nature  at  war, 

He  thought  as  a  sage,  tho'  he  felt  as  a  man. 
"Ah!  why,  all  abandon'd  to  darkness  and  wo  ; 
Why,  lone  Philomela,  that  languishing  fall  ? 
For  spring  shall  return,  and  a  lover  bestow, 
And  sorrow  no  longer  thy  bosom  inthral. 
But,  if  pity  inspire  thee,  renew  the  sad  lay, 

Mourn,  sweetest  complainer,  man  calls  thee  to  mourn; 
0  soothe  him,  whose  pleasures,  like  thine,  pass  away : 

Full  quickly  they  pass — but  they  never  return. 
"Now  gliding  remote,  on  the  verge  of  the  sky, 

The  moon,  half  extinguished,  her  crescent  displays : 
But  lately  I  mark'd,  when,  majestic  on  high, 

She  shone,  and  the  planets  were  lost,  in  her  blaze. 
Roll  on,  thou  fair  orb,  and,  with  gladness,  pursue 
The  path,  that  conducts  thee  to  splendor  again  : 
But  man's  faded  glory,  what  change  shall  renew ! 

Ah  fool !  to  exult  in  a  glory  so  vain ! 
"*Tis  night,  and  the  landscape  is  lovely  no  more : 

I  mourn ;  but,  ye  woodlands,  I  mourn  not  for  you; 
For  morn  is  approaching,  your  charms  to  restore, 

Perfum'd  with  fresh  fragrance,  and  glitt'ring  with  dew; 
Nor  yet  for  the  ravage  of  winter  I  mourn  ; 

Kind  nature  the  embryo  blossom  will  save: 
But  when  shall  spring  visit  the  mouldering  urn! 

O,  when  shall  day  dawn,  on  the  night  of  the  grave  \ 
"'Twas  thus,  by  the  glare  of  false  science  betray  "d, 

That  leads,  to  bewilder;  and  dazzles,  to  blind; 
My  thoughts  wont  to  roam,  from  shade  onward  to  shade, 

Destruction  before  me,  and  sorrow  behind. 
0  pity,  great  Father  of  light,  then  I  cried, 

Thy  creature,  who  fain  would  not  wander  from  thee! 
Lo,  humbled  in  dust,  I  relinquish  my  pride: 

From  doubt,  and  from  darkness  thou  only,  canst  free. 
"And  darkness  and  doubt  are  now  flying  away: 

No  longer  I  roam  in  conjecture  forlorn: 
So  breaks  on  the  traveler,  faint  and  astray, 

The  bright,  and  the  balmy  effulgence  of  morn. 
See  truth,  love,  and  mercy,  in  triumph  descending. 

And  nature  all  glowing  in  Eden's  first  bloom! 
On  the  cold  cheek  of  death  smiles,  and  roses  are  blending, 
And  beauty  immortal  awakes  from  the  tomb. — Bcattie. 

O  what  a  vision — were  the  stars, 

When  first  I  saw  them  hum  on  high, 
Rolling  along,  like  living  cars 

Of  light — for  gods  lo  journey  by. 
The  world — \sfull  of  poetry — the  air 
Is  living  with  its  spirit;  the  waves — 
Dance — to  the  music  of  its  melodies, 
And  sparkle — in  its  brightness. 

In  struggling  with  misfortunes, 
Lies  the  true  proof— of  virtue. 


248 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


600.  The  Character  or  Woman.  The 
influence  of  the  female  character — is  now 
felt,  and  acknowledged,  in  all  the  relations  of 
life.  I  speak  not  now,  of  those  distinguished 
women,  who  instruct  their  age  through  the 
public  press.  Nor  of  those,  whose  devout 
strains  we  take  upon  our  lips,  when  we  wor- 
ship. But  of  a  much  larger  class ;  of  those, 
whose  influence  is  felt  in  the  relations  of 
neighbor,  friend,  daughter,  wife,  mother. 

Who  waits  at  the  couch  of  the  sick,  to  ad- 
minister tender  charities,  while  life  lingers,  or 
to  perform  the  last  acts  of  kindness,  when 
death  comes  ?  Where  shall  we  look  for  those 
examples  of  friendship,  that  most  adorn  our 
rature;  those  abiding  friendships,  which 
trust,  even  when  betraj-ed,  and  survive  all 
changes  of  fortune  ?  Where  shall  we  find 
the  brightest  illustration  of  filial  piety  ?  Have 
you  ever  seen  a  daughter,  herself,  perhaps, 
id  helpless,  watching  the  decline  of  an 
aged  parent,  and  holding  out,  with  heroic  for- 
titude, to  anticipate  his  wishes,  to  administer 
to  his  wants,  and  to  sustain  his  tottering  steps 
to  the  very  borders  of  the  grave  1 

But  in  no  relation — does  woman  exercise 
so  deep  an  influence,  both  immediately,  and 
prospectively,  as  in  that  of  mother.  To  her  is 
committed  the  immortal  treasure  of  the  infant 
mind.  Upon  her — devolves  the  care  of  the 
first  stages — of  that  course  of  discipline, 
which  is  to  form  a  being,  perhaps  the  most 
frail  and  helpless  in  the  world,  the  fearless 
ruler  of  animated  creation,  and  the  devout 
adorer  of  his  great  Creator. 

Her  smiles  "call  into  exercise  the  first  affec- 
tions, that  spring-  up  in  our  hearts.  She  cher- 
ishes, and  expands — the  earliest  germs  of  our 
intellects.  She  breathes  over  us  her  deepest 
devotions.  She  lifts  our  little  hands,  and 
teaches  our  little  tongues  to  lisp  in  prayer. 
She  watches  over  us,  like  a  guardian  angel, 
and  protects  us  through  all  our  helpless  years, 
when  we  know  not"  of  her  cares,  and  her 
anxieties,  on  our  account.  She  follows  us 
into  the  world  of  men,  and  lives  in  us,  and 
"blesses  us,  when  she  lives  not  otherwise  upon 
the  earth. 

What  constitutes  the  centre  of  every  home  1 
Whither  do  our  thoughts  turn,  when  our  feet 
are  weary  with  wandering,  and  our  hearts 
sick  with  disappointments  1  Where  shall  the 
truant  and  forgetful  husband  go — for  sympa- 
thy, unalloyed,  and  without  design,  but  to  the 
bosom  of  her  who  is  ever  ready,  and  waiting 
to  share  in  his  adversity,  or  prosperity  1  And 
if  there  be  a  tribunal,  where  the  sins  and 
the  follies  of  a  froward  child — may  hope  for 
pardon  and  forgiveness,  this  side  heaven,  that 
tribunal — is  the  heart  of  a  fond,  and  devoted 
mother. 

Filially,  her  influence  is  felt,  deeply,  in  reli- 
gion. "  If  Christianity,  should  be  compelled 
to   See  i  the  mansions  of  the  great,  the 

f  philosophers,  the  halls  oflegis- 
the  throng  of  busy  men,  we  should 
.  last,  and  purest  retreat — with  woman 

at  the  lin  side;  her  last  altar — would  be  the 
female  heart;  her  last  audience  —  would 
be  the  children  gathered  round  the  knees  of 
the    mother;  her    last    sacrifice,    tlm    secret 

Erayer,  escaping  in  silence  from  her  lips,  and 
i  is,  only  at  the  throne  of  God." 

£Io\v  empty, learning,  and  how  vain  is  art ; 
Save  whe  re  it  guides  the  life,  and  mends  the  heart. 
Fancy  and  pride  reach  things  at  vast  ei-pcnse. 


INDIAN   NAMES. 
"  How  can  the  red  men  be  forgotlen,  while  so  may  of  our  states 
and  territories,  bays,  lakes,  and  rivers,  are  indelibly  stamped  by 
names  of  their  giving  ?" 

Ye  say — they  all  have  pass'd  away, 

That  noble  race— and  brave  ; 
That  their  light  canoes— have  vanish'd 

From  offthe  crested  wave; 
That,  'mid  the  forests — where  they  roanvd, 

There  rings  no  hunter's  shout; 
But  their  name — is  on  your  waters, 

Ye  may  not  wash  it  out. 
'Tis  where  Ontario's  billow — 

Like  ocean's  surge — is  curl'd  ; 
Where  strong  Niagara's  thunders — wake 

The  echo — of  the  world  ; 
Where  red  Missouri — bringeth 

Rich  tribute — from  the  west; 
And  Rappahannock — sweetly  sleeps 

On  green  Virginia's  breast. 
Ye  say — their  conelike  cabins, 

That  cluster'd  o'er  the  vale, 
Have  disappear'd,  as  wither'd  leaves — 

Before  the  autumn's  gale; 
But  their  memory — liveth  on  your  hill3, 

Their  baptism — on  your  shore  ; 
Your  everlasting  rivers — speak 

Their  dialect  of  yore. 
Old  Massachusetts — wears  it — 

Within  her  lordly  crown; 
And  broad  Ohio — bears  it — 

Amid  liis  young  renown  : 
Connecticut — hath  wreath'd  it — 

Where  her  quiet  foliage  waves, 
And  bold  Kentucky— breathes  it  hoarse — 

Through  all  her  ancient  caves. 
Wachusett— hides  its  lingering  voice — 

Within  his  rocky  heart, 
And  Alleghany — graves  its  tone — 

Throughout  his  lofty  chart. 
Monadnock,  on  his  forehead  hoar, 

Doth  seal  the  sacred  trust ; 
Your  mountains — build  their  monument, 

Though  ye  destroy  their  dust. 

Improvement  op  Mind  without  Dis- 
play. Well-informed  persons  will  easily  be 
discovered,  to  have  read  the  best  books,  tho' 
they  are  not  always  detailing  lists  of  authors : 
for  a  muster-roll  of  names — may  be  learned 
from  the  catalogue,  as  well  as  from  the  library. 
The  honey — owes  its  exquisite  taste — to  the 
fragrance  of  the  sweetest  flowers ;  yet  the 
skill  of  the  little  artificer,  appears  in  this,  that 
the  delicious  stores  are  so  admirably  worked 
up,  and  there  is  such  a  due  proportion  ob- 
served in  mixing  them,  that  the  perfection  of 
the  whole — consists  in  its  not  tasting,  indi- 
vidually, of  the  rose,  the  jassamine,  the  carna- 
tion, or  any  of  those  sweets,  of  the  very  es- 
sence of  all  which  it  is  compounded.  But 
true  judgment  will  discover  the  infusion, 
which  true  modesty  will  not  display;  and 
even  common  subjects,  passing  through  a 
cultivated  understanding,  borrow  a  flavor  of 
its  richness. 

What  stronger  breastplate  than  a  heart  untaint'd? 
Thrice  is  he  armed,  who  hath  his  quarrel  just ; 
And  he,  but  naked,  tho'  locked  in  steel, 
Whose  conscience,  with  injustice  is  corrupted. 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


249 


607.      ODE   ON  THE  PASSIONS. 

When  Music,  heavenly  maid,  was  young, 
While  yet,  in  early  Greece,  she  sung, 
The  Passions  oft,  to  hear  her  shell, 
Throng'd — around  her  magic  cell  j 
Exulting,  trembling,  raging,  hunting, 
Possess'd  beyond  the  Muse's  painting. 
By  turn-?,  they  felt  the  glowing  mind 
Distnrb'd,  delighted,  raised,  refined  : 
Till  once,  'tis  said,  when  all  were  fired, 
Fill'd  with  fury,  rapt,  inspired, 
From  the  supporting  myrtles  round, 
They  snatch'd  her  instruments  of  sound ; 
And,  a*  they  oft  had  heard  apart, 
Sweet  lessons  of  her  forceful  art, 
Each — for  Madness  ruled  the  hour — 
AVould  prove  his  own  expressive  power. 

First,  Fear,  his  hand,  its  skill  to  try, 
Amid  the  chords,  bewilder'd  laid; 

Aiid  back  recoil'd.  he  knew  not  why. 
Even  at  the  sound  himself  had  made. 

Next,  Anger  rush'd,  his  eyes  on  fire, 
In  lightnings,  own'd  his  secret  stings: 

In  one  rude  clash  he  struck  the  lyre, 

And  swept,  with  hurried  hands,  the  strings. 

With  woful  measures,  wan  Despair — 
Low,  sullen  sounds  !  his  grief  beguiled ; 

A  solemn,  strange,  and  mingled  air; 
'Twas  sad,  by  fits — by  starts,  'twas  wild. 

But  thou,  O  Hope;  with  eyes  so  fair, 
What  was  thy  delighted  measure! 
Still  it  whisperd — promised  pleasure, 
And  bade  The  lovely  scenes  at  distance  hail. 

Still  would  her  touch  the  strain  prolong; 
And  from  the  rocks,  the  woods,  the  vale, 

She  call"d  on  Echo  still,  through  all  her  song. 
And,  where  her  sweetest  theme  she  chose, 
A  soft,  responsive  voice  was  heard  at  every  close; 
And  Hop/,  enchanted,  smiled  and  wav'd  her  gold- 
en hair. 

And  longer  had  she  sung — but,  with  a  frown, 
/;.  /■•  n ge — impatient  rose,  [down ; 

He  threw  his  blood-stained  sword  in  thunder 
And.  with  a  withering  look, 
The  war-denouncing  trumpet  took, 

And  blew  a  blast,  so  loud  and  dread, 

Were  ne'er  prophetic  sounds  so  full  of  woe; 
And.  ever  and  anon,  he  beat 
The  doubling  drum  with  furious  heat,  [tween, 

And  though,  sometimes,  each  dreary  pause  be- 
Dejected  Pity,  at  his  side, 
Her  soul-subduing  voice  applied, 

Yet  still,  he  kept  his  wild  unalter'd  mien; 
While  each  strain'd  ball  of  sight  seem'd  bursting 
from  his  head. 

Thy  numbers,  Jealousy,  to  nought  were  fix'd ; 

Sad  proof  of  thy  distressful  state  ! 
Of  differing  themes  the  veering  song  was  mixM  : 

And.  now,  it  courted  Love  ;  now,  raving,  call'd 
on  Hate. 

With  eyes  upraised,  as  one  inspired, 
Pale  JMelaticholy  sat,  retired  ; 
And,  from  her  wild  sequester'd  seat, 
In  notes,  by  distance,  made  more  sweet, 
Pour'd  thro'  the  mellow  horn  her  pensive  soul : 
And.  dashing  soft,  from  rocks  around, 
Bubbling  runnels  joined  the  sound.        [stole; 
Thro'  glades  and  glooms,  the  mingled  measure 
Or  o'er  some  haunted  streams,  with  fond  delay, 
Round— a  holy  calm  diffusing. 
Love  of  peace,  and  lonely  musing — 
In  hollow  murmurs— died  away. 
But,  oh.  how  alter'd  was  its  sprightlier  tone  ! 
WhenCheer/ulness,  a  nymph  of  healthiest  hue, 

Her  bow  across  her  shoulders  flung, 
Her  buskins  gemm'd  with  morning  dew,  [rung; 
Blew  an  inspiring  air,  that  dale  and  thicket 
The  hunter's  call,  to  Kami  and  Dryad  known  1 
32 


The  oak-crownM  sisters,  aixl  their  chaste  eyed 
Satyrs,  and  sylvan  boys,  were  seen,    [queen, 
Peeping  from  forth  their  alleys  green; 
Brown  Er<rdse  rejoiced  to  hear; 
And  Sport  leap'd  up,  and  seiz'd  his  beechen  spear. 

Last,  came  Joy's  ecstatic  trial. 
He,  with  viny  crown  advancing, 
First  to  the  lively  pipe  his  hand  address'd ; 

But  soon,  he  saw  the  brisk  awakening  viol, 
"Whose  sweet,  entrancing  voice  he  lov'd  the  best. 
They  would  have  thought,  who  heard  the  strain, 
They  saw,  in  Tempe's  vale,  her  native  maids, 

Amid  the  festal-sounding  shades. 
To  some  unwearied  minstrel  dancing; 
While,  as  his  (lying  lingers  kiss'd  the  strings, 
Love,  franvd  with  Mirth,  a  gay  fantastic  round — 
Loose  were  her  tresses  seen,  her  /one  unbound ; 
And  he,  amid  his  frolic  play, 
As  if  he  would  the  charming  air  repay, 
Shook  thousand  odors—from  his  dewy  wings. 

GO  8.      THE    CIIESTXUT    HORSE. 

An  Eaton  stripling,  training  for  the  law, 

A  dunce  at  syntax,  but  a  dab  at  taw, 

One  happy  Christmas,  laid  upon  the  shelf 

His  cap  and  gown,  and  stores  of  learned  pelf, 

With  all  the  deathless  bards  of  Greece  and  Rome, 

To  spend  a  fortnight  at  his  uncle's  home. 

Return'd,  and  past  the  usual  how-d'ye-does, 

Inquiries  of  old  friends,  and  college  news: 

"  Well,  Tom,  the  road  ;  what  saw  you  worth  discerning? 

How  's  all  at  college,  Tom  ? — what  is  't  you  're  learning  ?" 

"Learning! — 0,  logic,  logic  ! — not  the  shallow  rules 

Of  Locke  and  Bacon — antiquated  fools  ! 

But  wits' and  wranglers'  logic;  for  d'ye  see, 

I  '11  prove  as  clear, — as  clear  as  A.  B.  C-, 

That  an  tel  pk  's  a  pigeon  ;  to  deny  it, 

Is  to  say  black 's  not  black.'' — 

41  Come,  let 's  try  it  \n 

u  Well,  sir ;  an  eel  pie  is  a  pie  of  fish."    "  Agreed." 

"  Fish  pie  may  be  a  jack  pie." — u  Well,  well,  proceed." 

u  A  jack  pie  is  a  John  pie — and,  'tis  done! 

For  every  John  pie  must  be  a  pie-John." — (pig-con.) 

"Bravo!  bravo!"  Sir  Peter  cries;  "  logic  forever ! 

That  beats  my  grandmother,  and  she  was  clever; 

But  now  I  think  on  t,  't  would  be  mighty  hard 

If  merit  such  as  thine  met  no  reward ; 

To  show  bow  much  I  logic  love  in  course, 

I  'II  make  thee  master  of  a  chestnut  horse." 

"A  horse  !"  quoth  Tom,  "blood,  pedigree,  and  paces ! 

O,  what  a  dash  I  '11  cut  at  Epsom  races !* 

Tom  dreamt  all  night  of  boots  and  leather  breeches, 

Of  hunting-caps,  and  leaping  rails  and  ditches; 

Rose  the  next  morn  an  hour  before  the  lark, 

And  dragg'd  his  uncle,  fasting,  to  the  park  ; 

Bridle  in  hand,  each  vale  he  scours  of  course, 

To  find  out  something  like  a  chestnut  horse; 

But  no  such  animal  the  meadows  cropt, 

Till  under  a  large  tree  Sir  Peter  stopt, 

Caught  at  a  branch,  and  shook  it,  when  down  fell 

A  fine  horse  chestnut,  in  its  prickly  shell. 

"  There,  Tom,  take  that."—"  Well,  sir,  and  what  beside  ?* 

"  Why,  since  you're  hooted,  saddle  it  and  ride." 

"Ride!  what,  a  chestnut,  sir  ?" — "Of  course, 

For  I  can  prove  that  chestnut  is  a  horse; 

Not  from  the  doubtful,  fusty,  musty  rules 

Of  Locke  and  Bacon,  antiquated  fools, 

Nor  old  Malebranch,  blind  pilot  into  knowledge, 

But  by  the  laws  of  wit  and  Eton  college; 

As  you  have  provM,  and  which  I  don't  deny, 

That  npicJohn  's  the  same  as  a  Johnpiey 

The  matter  follows,  as  a  thing  of  course, 

That  a  horse-chestnut  is  a  chestnut  horse." 
Know,  Nature's  children  all  divide  her  care  ; 
The  fur,  that  warms  a  monarch,  warm'd  a  bear. 
"While  man  exclaims,  "  See  all  things  for  my  use!" 
"  See  man  for  mineV  replies  the  pamper'd  goose: 
And  just  as  short  of  reason—  he  must  fall, 
Who  thinks  all  made  for  one,  not  one — for  all. 


250 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


609.  National  Union.  Do  not,  gentle- 
men, suffer  the  rage  of  passion  to  drive  rea- 
son from  her  seat.  If  this  law  be  indeed  bad, 
let  us  join  to  remedy  its  defects.  Has  it  been 
passed  in  a  manner  which  wounded  your 
pride,  or  roused  your  resentment '.'  Have,  I 
conjure  you,  the  magnanimity  to  pardon  that 
offence.  I  entreat,  I  implore  you,  to  sacri- 
fice those  angry  passions  to  the  interests  of 
our  country.  Pour  out  this  pride  of  opinion 
on  the  altar  of  patriotism.  Let  it  be  an  ex- 
piatory libation  for  the  weal  of  America.  Do 
not  suii'er  that  pride  to  plunge  us  all  into  the 
abyss  of  ruin.  Indeed,  indeed,  it  will  be  but 
of  little,  very  little  avail,  whether  one  opin- 
ion or  the  other  be  right  or  wrong ;  it  will 
heal  no  wounds,  it  will  pay  no  debts,  it  will 
rebuild  no  ravaged  towns.  Do-  not  rely  on 
that  popular  will,  which  has  brought  us  frail 
beings  into  political  existence.  That  opin- 
ion is  but  a  changeable  thing.  It  will  soon 
change.  This  very  measure  will  change  it. 
You  will  be  deceived.  Do  not,  I  beseech  you, 
in  reliance  on  a  foundation  so  frail,  commit 
the  dignity,  the  harmony,  the  existence  of 
our  nation  to  the  wild  wind.  Trust  not  your 
treasure  to  the  waves.  Throw  not  your  com- 
pass and  your  charts  into  the  ocean.  Do  not 
believe  that  its  billows  will  waft  you  into 

Eort.  Indeed,  indeed,  you  will  be  deceived, 
ast  not  away  this  only  anchor  of  our  safety. 
I  have  seen  its  progress.  I  know  the  diffi- 
culties through  which  it  was  obtained.  I 
stand  hi  the  presence  of  Almighty  God  and 
of  the  world.  I  declare  to  you,  that  if  you 
lose  this  charter,  never,  no  never,  will  you 
get  another.  We  are  now  perhaps  arrived  at 
the  parting  point.  Here,  even  here,  we  stand 
on  the  brink  of  fate.  Pause,  then — pause. 
For  Heaven's  sake,  pause. — Morris. 

ATHEIST   AND   ACOEN. 

"  Methinks  the  world — seems  oddly  made, 

And  every  thing — amiss  ;" 
A  dull,  complaining  atheist  said, 
As  stretched  he  lay — beneath  the  shade, 

And  instanced  it — in  this: 
"Behold,"  quoth  he,  "that  mighty  thing, 

A  pumpkin,  large,  and  round, 
Is  held — but  by  a  little  string, 
Which  upwards  cannot  make  it  spring, 

Nor  bear  it  from  the  ground. 
While  on  this  oak — an  acorn  small, 

So  disproportioned  grows, 
That  whosoe'er  surveys  this  all, 
This  universal  casual  ball, 

Its  ill  contrivance  knows. 
My  better  judgment — would  have  hung 

The  pumpkin — on  the  tree, 
And  left  the  acorn — slightly  strung, 
'Mongst  things — that  on  the  surface  sprung, 

And  weak  and  feeble  be." 
No  more — the  caviler  could  say, 

No  further  faults  descry  ; 
For,  upwards  gazing,  as  he  lay, 
An  acorn,  loosened  from  its  spray, 

Fell  down  upon  his  eye. 
The  wounded  part — with  tears  ran  o'er, 

As  punished  for  that  sin  ; 
Fool !  had  that  bough — a  pumpkin  bore, 
Thy  whimseys — would  have  worked  no  more, 

Nor  skull — have  kept  them  in. 


MY    COUNTRY. 

I  love  my  country's  pine-clad  hills, 
Her  thousand  bright,  and  gushing  rills, 

Her  sunshine,  and  her  storms; 
Her  rough  and  rugged  rocks,  that  rear 
Their  hoary  heads,  high  in  the  air 

In  wild  fantastic  forms. 
I  love  her  rivers,  deep  and  wide, 
Those  mighly  streams,  that  seaward  glide, 

To  seek  the  ocean's  breast ; 
Her  smiling  fields,  her  pleasant  vales, 
Her  shady  dells,  her  flow'ry  dales, 

The  haunts  of  peaceful  rest. 
I  love  her  forests,  dark  and  lone, 
For  there — the  wild  birds'  merry  tone, 

I  heard  from  morn — till  night ; 
And  there — are  lovlier  flowers  I  ween, 
Than  e'er  in  eastern  lands  were  seen, 

In  varied  colors  bright. 
Her  forests — and  her  valleys  fair, 
Her  flowers,  that  scent  the  morning  air, 

Have  all  their  charms  for  me  ; 
But  more — I  love  my  country's  name, 
Those  words,  that  echo  deathless  fame, 
"  The  land  of  Liberty." — Anon. 
610.  Sublimity  or  Mountain  Scene- 
ry. Of  all  the  sights,  that  nature  offers  far 
the  eye,  and  mind  of  man,  mountains — have 
always  stirred  my  strongest  feelings.  I  have 
seen  the  ocean,  when  it  was  turned  up  from 
the  bottom  by  tempest,  and  noon — was  like 
night,  with  the  conflict  of  the  billows,  and 
the  storm,  that  tore,  and  scattered  them,  in 
mist  and  foam,  across  the  sky.  I  have  seen 
the  desert  rise  around  me,  and  calmly,  in  the 
midst  of  thousands,  uttering  cries  of  horror, 
and  paralysed  by  fear,  have  contemplated  the 
sandy  pillars,  coming  like  the  advance  of 
some  gigantic  city  of  conflagration — flying 
across  the  wilderness,  every  column  glowing 
with  intense  fire,  and  every  blast — death  ;  the 
sky — vaulted  with  gloom,  the  earth — a  fur- 
nace. But  with  me,  the  mountain,  in  tempest, 
or  in  calm,  the  throne  of  the  thunder,  or  with 
the  evening  sun,  painting  its  dells  and  decliv- 
ities in  colors  dipped  in  heaven — has  been 
the  source  of  the  most  absorbing  sensations. 
There  stands  magnitude,  giving  the  instant 
impression  of  a  power  above  man — grand- 
eur, that  defies  decay — antiquity,  that  tells 
of  ages  unnumbered — beauty,  that  the  touch 
of  time  makes  only  more  beautiful — use,  ex- 
haustless  for  the  service  of  man — strength 
imperishable  as  the  globe  ;  the  monument  of 
eternity, — the  truest  earthly  emblem  of  that 
ever-living,  unchangeable,  irresistible  Majes- 
ty, by  whom  and  for  whom,  all  things  were 
made ! — Croly. 

The  time  shall  come,  the  fated  hour  is  nigh, 
When  guiltless  blood — shall  penetrate  the  sky 
Amid  these  horrors,  and  involving  night, 
Prophetic  visions  flash  before  my  sight; 
Eternal  justice  wakes,  and,  in  their  turn, 
The  vanquished — triumph,  and  the  victors  mourn! 
A  hungry  fom-faced  villain, 
A  mere  anatomy,  a  mountebank, 
A  thread-bare  juggler,  and  a/orZtme-teller; 
A  needy,  hollou  -eyed,  s/iary-looking  wretch, 
A  living-dead  man. 
False  pleasure — from  abroad  her  joys  imparts. 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


251 


611.  The  MtrnnEREit :  Knatp's  Trial. 
Though  I  could  well  have  wished  to  shun 
this  occasion,  I  have  not  felt  at  liberty,  to 
withhold  my  professional  assistance,  when  it 
is  supposed,  that  I  might  be,  in  some  degree, 
useful — in  investigating,  and  discovering  the 
truth, respecting  this  must  extraordinary  mur- 
der. It  has  seemed  to  be  a  duty,  incumbent 
on  me,  as  on  every  other  citizen,  to  do  my 
best,  and  my  utmost,  to  bring  to  light  the  per- 
petrators of  this  crime. 

Against  the  prisoner  at  the  bar,  as  an  indi- 
vidual, I  cannot  have  the  slightest  prejudice. 
I  would  not  do  him  the  smallest  injury  or  in- 
justice. But  I  do  not  affect  to  be  indifferent 
to  the  discovery,  and  the  punishment,  of  this 
deep  guilt.  I  cheerfully  share  in  the  oppro- 
brium, how  much  soever  it  may  be,  which  is 
cast  on  those,  who  feel,  and  manifest,  an  anx- 
ious concern,  that  all  who  had  a  part  in  plan- 
ning, or  a  hand  in  executing,  this  deed  ot  mid- 
night assassination,  may  be  brought  to  answer 
for  their  enormous  crime,  at  the  bar  of  public 
justice. 

Gentlemen,  it  is  a  most  extraordinary  case. 
In  some  respects,  it  has  hardly  a  precedent 
anywhere;  certainly  none  in  our  New  England 
history.  This  bloody  drama  exhibited  no  sud- 
denly excited,  ungovernable  rage.  The  actors 
in  it  were  not  surprised  by  any  lion-like  temp- 
tation, springing  upon  their  virtue,  and  over- 
coming it,  before  resistance  could  begin.  Nor 
did  they  do  the  deed  to  glut  savage  vengeance, 
or  satiate  long-settled,  and  deadly  hate. 

It  was  a  cool,  calculating,  money-making 
murder.  It  was  all  "  hire  and  salary,  not  re- 
venge." It  was  the  weighing  of  money  against 
life :  the  counting  out  of  so  many  pieces  of 
silver,  against  so  many  ounces  of  blood.  An 
aged  man,  without  an  enemy  in  the  world,  in 
his  own  house,  and  in  his  own  bed,  is  made  the 
victim  of  a  butcherly  murder,  for  mere  pay. 
Truly,  here  is  a  new  lesson  for  painters  and 
poets. 

Whosoever  shall  hereafter  draw  the  portrait 
of  Murder,  if  he  will  show  it  as  it  has  been 
exhibited  in  one  example,  where  such  exam- 
ple was  last  to  have  been  looked  for,  in  the 
very  bosom  of  our  New  England  society,  let 
him  not  give  the  grim  visage  of  Moloch,  the 
brow,  knitted  by  revenge,  the  face,  black  with 
settled  hate,  and  the  blood-shot  eye,  emitting 
livid  fires  of  malice. 

Let  him  draw,  rather,  a  decorous,  smooth- 
faced, bloodless  demon ;  a  picture  in  repose, 
rather  than  in  action ;  not  so  much  an  exam- 
ple of  human  nature,  in  its  depravity,  and  in 
its  paroxysms  of  crime,  as  an  infernal  nature, 
a  fiend,  in  the  ordinary  display,  and  develop- 
ment of  his  character. 

The  deed  was  executed  with  a  degree  of 
self-possession  and  steadiness,  equal  to  the 
wickedness  with  which  it  was  planned.  The 
circumstances,  now  clearly  in  evidence,  spread 
out  the  whole  scene  before  us.  Deep  sleep  had 
fallen  on  the  destined  victim,  and  on  all  be- 
neath his  roof, — a  healthful  old  man  to  whom 
sleep  was  sweet ; — the  first  sound  slumbers  of 
the  night  held  him  in  their  soft  but  strong  em- 
brace. 

The  assassin  enters,  through  the  window 
already  prepared,  into  an  unoccupied  apart- 
ment. With  noiseless  foot  he  paces  the  lonely 
hall,  half-lighted  by  the  moon;  he  winds  up 
the  ascent  of  the  stairs,  and  reaches  the  door 
of  the  chamber.  Of  this  he  moves  the  lock, 
by  soft  and  continued  pressure,  till  it  turns  on 


its  hinges  without  noise;  and  he  enters,  and 
beholds  his  victim  before  him. 

The  room  was  uncommonly  open  to  the 
admission  of  light  The  face  of  the  innocent 
sleeper  was  turned  from  the  murderer,  and 
the  beams  of  the  moon,  resting  on  the  gray 
locks  of  his  aged  temple,  showed  him  where 
to  strike.  The  fatal  blow  is  given !  and  the 
victim  passes,  without  a  struggle,  or  a  motion, 
from  the  repose  of  sleep  to  the  repose  of  death ! 

It  is  the  assassin's  purpose  to  make  sure 
work;  and  he  yet  plies  the  dagger,  though  it 
was  obvious  that  life  had  been  destroyed  by 
the  blow  of  the  bludgeon.  He  even  raises  the 
aged  arm,  that  he  may  not  fail  in  his  aim  at 
the  heart,  and  replaces  it  again  over  the 
wounds  of  the  poinard !  To  finish  the  pic- 
ture, he  explores  the  wrist  for  the  pulse !  He 
feels  for  it,  and  ascertains  that  it  beats  no 
longer!  It  is  accomplished.  The  deed  is  done! 
He  retreats,  retraces  his  steps  to  the  window, 
passes  out  through  it,  as  he  came  in,  and  es- 
capes. He  has  done  the  murder, — no  eye  has 
seen  him,  no  ear  has  heard  him.  The  secret 
is  his  own,  and  it  is  safe ! 

Ah !  gentlemen,  that  was  a  dreadful  mistake. 
Such  a  secret  can  be  sale  nowhere.  The  whole 
creation  of  G  od  has  neither  nook,  nor  corner, 
where  the  guilty  can  bestow  it,  and  say  it  is 
safe.  Not  to  speak  of  that  eye,  which  glances 
through  all  disguises,  and  beholds  everything, 
as  in  the  splendor  of  noon,  such  secrets  of  guut 
are  never  safe  from  detection  even  by  men. 

True  it  is,  generally  speaking,  that  "  mur- 
der will  out.' '  True  it  is,  that  Providence  hath 
so  ordained,  and  doth  so  govern  things,  that 
those,  who  break  the  great  law  of  Heaven, 
by  shedding  man's  blood,  seldom  succeed  in 
avoiding  discovery.  Especially,  in  a  case 
exciting  so  much  attention  as  this,  discovery 
must  come,  and  will  come,  sooner  or  later.  A 
thousand  eyes  turn  at  once  to  explore  every 
man,  everything,  every  circumstance,  con- 
nected with  the  time  and  place ;  a  thousand 
ears  catch  every  whisper;  a  thousand  excited 
minds  intensely  dwell  on  the  scene,  shedding 
all  their  light,  and  ready  to  kindle  the  slight- 
est circumstance  into  a  blaze  of  discovery. 

Meantime,  the  guilty  soul  cannot  keep  its 
own  secret.  It  is  false  to  itself;  or  rather,  it 
feels  an  irresistible  impulse  of  conscience  to 
be  true  to  itself.  It  labors  under  its  guilty 
possession,  and  knows  not  what  to  do  with  it. 
The  human  heart  was  not  made  for  the  resi- 
dence of  such  an  inhabitant.  It  finds  itself 
preyed  on  by  a  torment,  which  it  dares  not 
acknowledge' to  God  or  man. 

A  vulture  is  devouring  it,  and  it  can  ask  no 
assistance,  or  sympathy,  either  from  heaven, 
or  earth.  The  secret,  which  the  murderer 
possesses,  soon  comes  to  possess  him ;  and, 
like  the  evil  spirits,  of  which  we  read,  it  over- 
comes him,  and  leads  him  whithersoever  it 
will.  He  feels  it  beating  at  his  heart,  rising 
to  his  throat,  and  demanding  disclosure.  He 
thinks  the  whole  world  sees  it  in  his  face,  reads 
it  in  his  eyes,  and  almost  hears  its  workings 
in  the  very  silence  of  his  thoughts.  It  has 
become  his  master. 

It  betrays  his  discretion,  it  breaks  down  his 
courage,  it  conquers  his  prudence.  When  sus- 
picions from  without  begin  to  cmbarass  him, 
and  the  net  of  circumstance  to  entangle  him, 
the  fatal  secret  struggles,  with  still  greater  vio- 
lence, to  burst  forth.  It  must  be  confessed,  it 
will  be  confessed,  there  is  no  refuge  from  con- 
fession, but  suicide,  and  suicide  is  confession. 


252 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


612.   ANTONY'S   ORATION  OVER   CESAR. 

Friends,  Romans,  Countrymen!   Lend  me   your 
I  come  to  bury  Cesar,  not  to  praise  him.         [ears, 
The  evil,  that  men  do,  lives  after  them  ; 
The  good — is  oft  interred  with  their  bones : 
So,  let  it  be  with  Cesar !     Noble  Brutus 
Hath  told  you,  Cesar  was  ambitious  : 
If  it  were  so,  it  was  a  grievous  fault ; 
And  grievously — hath  Cesar  answered  it. 
Here,  under  leave  of  Brutus,  and  the  rest, 
(For  Brutus — is  an  honorable  man, 
So  are  they  all,  all  honorable  men) 

Come  I  to  speak — in  Cesar's  funeral 

He  was  my  friend,  faithful,  and  just  to  me : 

But  Brutus  says — he  was  ambitious  ; 

And  Brutus — is  an  honorable  man. 

He  hath  brought  many  captives  home  to  Rome, 

Whose  ransoms — did  the  general  coffers  fill : 

Did  this,  in  Cesar,  seem  ambitious  ? 

When  that  the  poor  have  cried,  Cesar  hath  wept; 

Ambition,  should  be  made  of  sterner  stuff; 

Yet  Brutus  says — he  was  ambitious ; 

And  Brutus — is  an  honorable  man. 

You  all  did  see,  that,  on  the  Lupercal, 

I  thrice  presented  him — a  kingly  crown, 

Which  he  did  thrice— refuse  ;  Was  this  ambition  ? 

Yet  Brutus  says,  he  was  ambitious  ; 

And  sure,  he  is  an  honorable  man. 

I  speak  not  to  disprove — what  Brutus  spoke, 

But  here  I  am,  to  speak  what  I  do  know. 

You  all  did  love  him  once ;  not  without  cause  : 

What  cause  witholds  you,  then,  to  mourn  for  him? 

O  judgment !  thou  art  fled  to  brutish  beasts, 

And  men  have  lost  their  reason  '.  Bear  with  me  : 

My  heart  is  in  the  coffin  there — with  Cesar ; 

And  I  must  pause,  till  it  come  back  to  me. 

But  yesterday,  the  word  of  Cesar — might 

Have  stood  against  the  world !  now,  lies  he  there, 

And  none  so  poor — to  do  him  reverence. 

0  masters  !  if  I  were  disposed  to  stir 
Your  hearts  and  minds — to  mutiny  and  rage, 

1  should  do  Brutus  wrong,  and  Cassius  wrong ; 
Who,  you  all  know,  are  honorable  men. 

I  will  not  do  them  wrong — I  rather  choose 

To  wrong  the  dead,  to  wrong  myself,  and  you, 

Than  I  will  wrong  such  honorable  men. 

But  here's  a  parchment,  with  the  seal  of  Cesar  ; 

I  found  it  in  his  closet;  'tis  his  will : 

Let  but  the  commons — hear  this  testament, 

(Which,  pardon  me,  I  do  not  mean  to  read,) 

And  they  would  go,  and  kiss  dead  Cesar's  wounds, 

And  dip  their  napkins — in  his  sacred  blood — 

Yea,  bee  a  hair  of  him,  for  memory, 

And,  dying,  mention  it  within  their  wills; 

Beqeathing  it,  as  a  rich  legacy, 

Unto  their  issue. 

If  you  have  tears,  prepare  to  shed  them  now. 

You  all  do  know  this  mantle  :  I  remember 

The  first  time  ever  Cesar  put  it  on  ; 

Twaa  on  a  summer's  evening,  in  his  tent ; 

That  day — he  overcome  the  Nervii 

Look !  in  this  place — ran  Cassius'  dagger  through 
See,  what  a  rent — the  envious  Casca  made : 
Through  this,  the  well  beloved  Brutus  stabbed, 
And,  as  he  plucked  his  cursed  steel  away, 
Mark  how  the  blood  of  Cesar  followed  it! 
This,  was  the  most  wihindest  cut  of  all! 


For  when  the  noble  Cesar — saw  him  stab, 
Ingratitude,  more  strong  than  traitors'  arms, 
Quite  vanquished  him:  then,    burst — lijs  mighty 
And,  in  his  mantle,  muffling  up  his  face,      [heart; 
Even  at  the  base  of  Pompey's  statue, 
(Which  all  the  while  ran  blood)  great  Cesar — fell. 

0  what  fall  was  there,  my  countrymen ! 
Then  /,  and  you,  and  all  of  us — fell  down, 
Whilst  bloody  treason — flourished  over  us. 
O,  now  you  weep  :  and,  I  perceive,  you  feel 
The  dint  of  pity  :  these  are  gracious  drops. 
Kind  souls !  what,  weep  you,  when  you  but  behold 
Our  Cesar's  vesture  wounded?  Look  you  here  ! 
Here — is  himself, — marred,  as  you  see,  by  traitors. 
Good  friends!  sweet  friends!  let  me  not  stir  you  up 
To  such  a  sudden  flood  of  mutiny. 

They,  that  have  done  this  deed,  are  honorable  ; 
What  private  griefs  they  have,  alas!  I  know  not, 
That  made  them  do  it;  they  are  ivise,  and  honora- 
And  will,  no  doubt,  with  reason  answer  you.  [ble, 

1  come  not,  friends,  to  steal  away  your  hearts  ; 
I  am  no  orator,  as  Brutus  is  ; 

But,  as  you  know  me  all.  a  plain — blunt  man, 
That  love  my  friend — and  that  they  know  full  well, 
That  gave  me  public  leave,  to  speak  of  him. 
For  I  have  neither  wit,  nor  words,  nor  worth, 
Action,  nor  utterance,  nor  power  of  speech, 
To  stir  men's  blood — I  only  speak  right  on  : 
I  tell  you  that — which  you  yourselves  do  know — 
Show  you  sweet  Cesar's  wounds,  poor,  poor  dumb 
And  bid  them  speak  for  me.  [mouths, 

But  were  / — Brutus, 

And  Brutus — Antony,  there  were  an  Antony — 
Would  ruffle  up  your  spirits,  and  put  a  tongue 
In  every  wound  of  Cesar,  that  should  move 
The  stones  of  Rome — to  rise  and  mutiny. 

613.  The  Invalid  Abroad.  It  is  a  sad 
thing,  to  feel  that  we  must  die,  away  from  our 
own  home.  Tell  not  the  invalid,  who  is  yearn- 
ing after  liis  distant  country,  that  the  atmos- 
phere around  him  is  soft,  that  the  gales  are  fil- 
led with  balm,  and  that  the  flowers  are  spring- 
ing from  the  green  earth ;  he  knows,  that  the 
softest  air  to  his  heart,  would  he  the  air,  which 
hangs  over  his  native  land;  that,  more  grate- 
fully than  all  the  gales  of  the  south,  would 
breathe  low  whispers  of  anxious  affection ; 
that  the  very  icicles,  clinging  to  his  own  eaves, 
and  snow,  beating  against  his  own  windows, 
would  be  far  more  pleasant  to  his  eyes,  than 
the  bloom  and  verdure,  which  only  more  for- 
cibly remind  him,  how  far  he  is  from  that  one 
spot,  which  is  dearer  to  him,  than  all  the 
world  beside.  He  may,  indeed,  find  estimable 
friends,  who  will  do  all  in  their  power  to  pro- 
mote his  comfort,  and  assuage  his  pains;  but 
they  cannot  supply  the  place  of  the  long 
known  and  long  loved ;  they  cannot  read,  as 
in  a  book,  the  mute  language  of  his  face ;  they 
have  not  learned  to  wait  upon  his  habits,  and 
anticipate  his  wants,  and  he  has  not  learned 
to  communicate,  without  hesitation,  all  his 
wishes,  impressions,  and  thoughts  to  them. 
He  feels  that  he  is  a  stranger ;  and  a  more 
desolate  feeling  than  that,  could  not  visit  his 
soul.  How  much  is  expressed,  by  that  form 
of  oriental  benediction,  "  May  you  die  among 
your  kindred.'" — Greenwood. 

All,  who  joy  would  win, 

Must  share  it, — happiness — was  born  a  tivin 
He  is  unhappy,  who  is  never  satisfied. 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


253 


614.  The  Life  of  aDruxkarb.  If  you 
would  mark  the  misery,  which  drunkenness 
infuses  into  the  cup  of  domestic  happiness, 
go  with  me  to  one  of  those  nurseries  of  crime, 
a  common  tippling  shop,  and  there  behold, 
collected  till  midnight,  the  fathers,  the  hus- 
bands, the  sons,  and  the  brothers  of  a  neigh- 
borhood. Bear  witness  to  the  stench,  and  the 
filthiness  around  them.  Hearken  to  the  oaths, 
the  obscenity,  and  the  ferocity  of  their  conver- 
sation. Observe  their  idiot  laugh;  record  the 
vulgar  jest,  with  which  they  are  delighted, 
and  tell  me,  what  potent  sorcery  has  so  trans- 
formed these  men,  that,  for  this  loathsome 
den,  they  should  forego  all  the  delights  of  an 
innocent,  and  lovely  fireside. 

But  let  us  follow  some  of  them  home,  from 
the  scene  of  their  debauch.  There  is  a  young 
man,  whose  accent,  and  gait,  and  dress,  be- 
speak the  communion,  which  he  once  has 
heid,  with  something  better  than  all  this.  He 
is  an  only  son.  On  him,  the  hopes  of  parents, 
and  of  sisters  have  centred.  Every  nerve  of 
that  family  has  been  strained,  to  give  to  that 
intellect,  of  which  they  all  were  proud,  every 
means  of  choicest  cultivation.  They  have 
denied  themselves,  that  nothing  should  be 
wanting,  to  enable  him  to  enter  his  profession, 
under  every  advantage.  They  gloried  in  his 
talents,  they  exulted  in  the  first  buddings  of 
his  youthful  promise,  and  they  were  looking 
forward  to  the  time  when  every  labor  should 
be  repaid,  and  every  self-denial  rewarded,  by 
the  joys  of  that  hour,  when  he  should  stand 
forth  in  all  the  blaze  of  well-earned,  and  in- 
disputable professional  pre-eminence.  Alas, 
these  visions  are  less  bright  than  once  they 
were! 

Enter  that  family  circle.  Behold  those  aged 
parents,  surrounded  by  children,  lovely  and 
beloved.  Within  that  circle  reign  peace,  vir- 
tue, intelligence,  and  refinement.  The  even- 
ing has  been  spent,  in  animated  discussion, 
in  innocent  pleasantry,  in  the  sweet  inter- 
change of  affectionate  endearment.  There  is 
one.  who  used  to  share  all  this,  who  was  the 
centre  of  this  circle.  Why  is  he  not  here1?  Do 
professional  engagements,  of  late,  so  estrange 
him  from  home  ?  The  hour  of  devotion  has 
arrived.  They  kneel  before  their  Father  and 
their  God.  A  voice,  that  used  to  mingle  in 
their  praises,  is  absent.  An  hour  rolls  away. 
Where  now  has  all  that  cheerfulness  fled  7 
Why  does  every  effort  to  rally,  sink  them 
deeper  in  despondency  1  Why  do  those  pa- 
rents look  so  wistfully  around,  and  why  do 
they  start  at  the  sound  of  every  footstep'! 
Another  hour  has  gone.  That  lengthened 
peal  is  too  much  for  a  mother's  endurance. 
She  can  conceal  the  well  known  cause  no 
longer.  The  unanswered  question  is  wrung 
from  her  lips.  Where,  oh  where,  is  my  son'! 

The  step  of  that  son  and  brother  is  heard. 
The  door  is  opened.  He  staggers  in  before 
them,  and  is  stretched  out  at  their  feet,  in  all 
the  loathsomem  ss  of  beastly  intoxication. 

615.      SERPENT  OF   THE   STILL. 

They  tell  me — of  the  Egyptian  asp, 

The  bite  of  which — is  death; 
The  victim,  yielding  with  a  gasp, 

His  hot.  and  hurried  breath. 
The  Egyptian  queen,  says  history, 

The  reptile  vile  applied; 
And  in  the  arms  of  agony, 

Victoriously  died. 


They  tell  me,  that,  in  Italy, 

There  is  a  reptile  dread, 
The  sting  of  which — is  agony, 

And  dooms  the  victim  dead. 
But,  it  is  said,  that  music's  sound, 

May  soothe  the  poisoned  part, 
Yea,  heal  the  galling,  ghastly  wound, 

And  save  the  sinking  heart. 
They  tell  me,  too,  of  serpents  vast, 

That  crawl  on  Afric's  shore, 
And  swallow  men — historians  past 

Tell  us  of  one  of  yore  : — 
But  there  is  yet,  one,  of  a  kind, 

More  fatal — than  the  whole, 
That  stings  the  body,  and  the  mind ; 

Yea,  it  devours  the  soul. 
'Tis  found  almost  o'er  all  the  earth, 

Save  Turkey's  wide  domains ; 
And  there,  if  e'er  it  had  a  birth, 

'Tis  kept  in  mercy's  chains. 
Tis  found  in  our  own  gardens  gay, 

In  our  own  flowery  fields ; 
Devouring,  every  passing  day, 

Its  thousands — at  its  meals. 
The  poisonous  venom  withers  youth, 

Blasts  character,  and  health; 
All  sink  before  it — hope,  and  truth, 

And  comfort,  joy,  and  wealth. 
It  is  the  author,  too,  of  shame; 

And  never  fails  to  kill. 
Reader,  dost  thou  desire  the  name  ? 

The  Sebpent  of  the  Still. 

THE  WORLD   AT  A   DISTANCE. 

'Tis  pleasant — through  the  loopholes  of  retreat, 
To  peep  at  such  a  world;  to  see  the  stir 
Of  the  great  Babel,  and  not  feel  the  crowd ; 
To  hear  the  roar  she  sends,  through  all  her  gates, 
At  a  safe  distance,  where  the  dying  sound, 
Falls  a  soft  murmur — on  the  uninjured  ear. 
Thus  sitting,  and  surveying,  thus  at  ease, 
The  globe,  and  its  concerns,  I  seem  advanced 
To  some  secure,  and  more  than  mortal  height, 
That  liberates,  and  exempts  me,  from  them  all. 
It  turns  submitted  to  my  view,  turns  round 
With  all  its  generations  ;  I  behold 
The  tumult,  and  am  still.    The  sound  of  war — 
Has  lost  its  terrors,  ere  it  reaches  me  ; 
Grieves,  but  alarms  me  not.    I  mourn  the  pride 
And  avarice,  that  make  man — a  wolf  to  man; 
Hear  the  faint  echo — of  those  brazen  throats, 
By  which  he  speaks  the  language  of  his  heart, 
And  sigh,  but  never  tremble,  at  the  sound. 

He  travels,  and  expatiates;  as  the  bee, 
From  flower  to  flower,  so  he — from  land  to  land ; 
The  manners,  customs,  policy  of  all, 
Pay  contribution — to  the  store  he  gleans; 
He  sucks  intelligence — in  every  clime, 
And  spreads  the  honey — of  his  deep  research, 
At  his  return — a  rich  repast  for  me. 
He  travels,  and  I  too.    I  tread  his  deck, 
Ascend  his  topmast,  through  his  peering  eyes 
Discover  countries,  with  a  kindred  heart 
Suffer  his  woes,  and  share  in  his  escapes; 
While  fancy,  like  the  finger  of  a  clock, 
Runs  the  great  circuit,  and  is  still  at  home. 
Red  battle  stamps  bis  foot,  and  nations  (eel  the  shock. 


254 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


616.  Eulogium  on  the  South.  Iftlierebe 
one  state  in  the  union,  Mr.  President,  (and  I  say 
it  not  in  a  boastful  spirit)  that  may  challenge 
comparison  with  any  other,  for  a  uniform,  zeal- 
ous, ardent,  and  uncalcu lating  devotion  to  the 
union,  that  state — is  South  Carolina.  Sir,  from 
the  very  commencement  of  the  revolution,  up  to 
this  hour,  there  is  no  sacrifice,  however  great, 
she  has  not  cheerfully  made;  no  service,  she 
has  ever  hesitated  to  perform.  She  has  adhered 
to  you  in  your  prosperity  ;  but,  in  your  adversi- 
ty, she  has  clung  to  you,  with  more  than  filial 
affection.  No  matter  what  was  the  condition  of 
her  domestic  affairs,  though  deprived  of  her  re- 
sources, divided  by  parties,  or  surrounded  by 
difficulties,  the  call  of  the  country,  has  been  to 
her,  as  the  voice  of  God.  Domestic  discord 
ceased  at  the  sound,  every  man  became  at  once 
reconciled  to  his  brethren,  and  the  sons  of  Caro- 
lina were  all  seen,  crowding  together  to  the  tem- 
ple, bringing  their  gifts  to  the  altar  of  their  com- 
mon country. 

What,  sir.  was  the  conduct  of  the  south  during 
the  revolution  ?  Sir,  I  honor  New  England  for 
her  conduct  in  that  glorious  struggle.  But,  great 
as  is  the  praise,  which  belongs  to  her,  I  think  at 
least,  equal  honor  is  due  to  the  south.  They  es- 
poused the  quarrel  of  their  brethren,  with  a 
generous  zeal  which  did  not  suffer  them  to  stop 
to  calculate  their  interest  in  the  dispute.  Favor- 
ites of  the  mother  country,  possessed  of  neither 
ships,  nor  seamen,  to  create  commercial  rival- 
ship,  they  might  have  found,  in  their  situation, 
a  guarantee,  that  their  trade  would  be  forever 
fostered,  and  protected  by  Great  Britain.  But, 
trampling  on  all  considerations,  either  of  inter- 
est, or  safety,  they  rushed  into  the  conflict,  and, 
fighting  for  principle,  perilled  all  in  the  sacred 
cause  of  freedom. 

Never — were  there  exhibited,  in  the  history 
of  the  world,  higher  examples  of  noble  daring, 
dreadful  suffering,  and  heroic  endurance,  than 
by  the  whigs  of  Carolina,  during  the  revolution. 
The  whole  state,  from  the  mountains  to  the  sea, 
was  overrun  by  an  overwhelming  force  of  the 
enemy.  The  fruits  of  industry — perished  on  the 
spot  where  they  were  produced,  or  were  con- 
sumed by  the  foe.  "  The  plains  of  Carolina" 
drank  up  the  most  precious  blood  of  her  citizens! 
Black,  and  smoking  ruins— marked  Ihe  places 
which  had  been  the  habitations  of  her  children  '. 
Driven  from  their  homes,  into  the  gloomy,  and 
almost  impenetrable  swamps,  even  there — the 
spirit  of  liberty  survived  ;  and  South  Carolina, 
sustained  by  the  example  of  her  Sumpters,  and 
Marions,  proved,  by  her  conduct,  that  though 
her  soil  might  be  overrun,  the  spirit  of  her  peo- 
ple was  invincible. — Hayne. 

617.  Eclogium  on  the  Nohth.  The  eulo- 
gium pronounced  on  the  character  of  the  state 
ofSouth  Carolina,  by  the  honorable  gentleman, 
for  her  revolutionary,  and  other  merits,  meets 
my  hearty  concurrence.  I  shall  not  acknowl- 
edge, that  the  honorable  member  is  before  me.in 
regard  for  whatever  of  distinguished  talent,  or 
distinguished  character,  South  Carolina  has  pro- 
duced.   I  claim  part  of  the  honor:  I  partake  in 


the  pride  of  her  great  names.  I  claim  them  for 
countrymen,  one  and  all — the  Laurens,  the  Rut- 
ledges,  the  Pinckneys,  the  Sumpters,  the  Mari- 
ons— Americans  all— whose  fame  is  no  more  to 
be  hemmed  in  by  state  lines,  than  their  talents 
and  patriotism,  were  capable  of  being  circum- 
scribed, within  the  same  narrow  limits. 

In  their  day,  and  generation,  they  served,  and 
honored  the  country,  and  the  whole  country,  and 
their  renown  is  of  the  treasures  of  the  whole 
country.  Him,  whose  honored  name  the  gentle- 
man himself  bears— does  he  suppose  me  less  ca- 
pable of  gratitude  for  his  patriotism,  or  sympa- 
thy for  his  sufferings,  than  if  his  eyes  had  first 
opened  upon  the  light  in  Massachusetts,  instead 
of  South  Carolina  1  Sir,  does  he  suppose  it.  in 
his  power,  to  exhibit  a  Carolina  name  so  bright, 
as  to  produce  envy  in  my  bosom  1  No,  sir,  in- 
creased gratification,  and  delight,  rather.  Sir.  I 
thank  God,  that,  if  I  am  gifted  with  little  of  the 
spirit,  which  is  said  to  be  able  to  raise  mortals  to 
the  skies,  I  have  yet  none,  as  I  trust,  of  that 
other  spirit,  which  would  drag  angels  down. 

But  sir,  let  me  recur  to  pleasing  recollections 
— let  me  indulge  in  refreshing  remembrances  of 
the  past — let  me  remind  you,  that  in  early  times, 
no  states  cherished  greater  harmony,  both  of 
principle,  and  of  feeling,  than  Massachusetts  and 
South  Carolina.  Would  to  God,  that  harmony 
might  again  return.  Shoulder  to  shoulder  they 
went  through  the  revolution — hand  in  hand,  they 
stood  round  the  administration  of  Washington, 
and  felt  his  own  great  arm  lean  on  them  for  sup- 
port. Unkind  feeling,  if  it  exist,  alienation  and 
distrust,  are  the  growth,  unnatural  to  such  soils, 
of  false  principles  since  sown.  They  are  weeds, 
the  seeds  of  which  that  same  great  arm  never 
scattered. 

Mr.  President,  I  shall  enter  on  no  encomium 
upon  Massachusetts — she  needs  none.  There 
she  is — behold  her,  and  judge  for  yourselves. 
There  is  Boston,  and  Concord,  and  Lexington, 
and  Bunker  Hill;  and  there  they  will  remain, for- 
ever. The  bones  of  her  sons,  fallen  in  the  great 
struggle  for  independence,  now  lie  mingled  with 
the  soil  of  every  state,  from  New  England  to 
Georgia  ;  and  there  they  will  lie — forever. 

And,  sir,  where  American  liberty  raised  its 
first  voice,  and  where  its  youth  was  nurtured 
and  sustained,  there  it  still  lives,  in  the  strength 
of  its  manhood,  and  full  of  its  original  spirit.  If 
discord,  and  disunion  shall  wound  it — if  party 
strife,  and  blind  ambition  shall  hawk  at,  and 
tear  it ;  if  folly  and  madness,  if  uneasiness  under 
salutary  and  necessary  restraint,  shall  succeed 
to  separate  it  from  that  union  by  which  alone, 
its  existence  is  made  sure,  it  will  stand,  in  the 
end,  by  the  side  of  that  cradle  in  which  its  in- 
fancy was  rocked  ;  it  will  stretch  forth  its  arm, 
with  whatever  of  vigor  it  may  still  retain,  over 
the  friends  who  gather  around  it;  and  it  will 
fall  at  last,  if  fall  it  must,  amidst  the  proudest 
monuments  of  its  own  glory,  and  on  the  very 
spot  of  its  origin. — Webster. 

The  sweetest  cordial — we  receive  at  last, 

Is  conscience— of  our  virtuous  actions  past. 
Inform  yourself,  and  instruct  others. 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


255 


618.  Liberty  an'd  Uxiov.  I  profess, sir. 
in  my  career  hitherto,  to  have  kepi  steadily  in 
view,  the  prosperity,  ami  honor  of  the  whole 
country,  and  the  preservation  of  our  federal 
union.  It  is  to  that  union,  we  owe  our  safetj 
at  home,  and  our  consideration  and  dignity 
abroad.  It  is  to  that  union,  that  we  are  chief- 
ly indebted,  for  whatever  makes  us  most  proud 
of  our  country.  That  union  we  reached,  only 
by  the  discipline  of  our  virtues,  in  the  severe 
school  of  adversity.  It  had  its  origin,  in  the 
necessities  of  disordered  finance,  prostrate 
commerce,  and  ruined  credit.  Under  its  be- 
nign influences,  these  great  interests  imme- 
diately awoke,  as  from  the  dead,  and  sprang 
forth  with  newness  of  life.  Every  year  of  its 
duration — has  teemed  with  fresh  proofs  of  its 
Utility,  and  its  blessings;  ami  although  our 
territory  has  stretched  out,  wider  and  wider, 
and  our  population  spread  farther  and  farther, 
they  have  not  outrun  its  protection,  or  its  be- 
nefits. It  has  been  to  us  all,  a  copious  fountain 
of  national,  social,  and  personal  happiness. 

I  have  not  allowed  myself,  sir,  to  look  be- 
yond the  union,  to  see  what  might  lie  hidden 
in  the  dark  recess  behind.  I  have  not  coolly 
weighed  the  chances  of  preserving  liberty, 
when  the  bonds,  that  unite  us  together,  shall 
be  broken  asunder.  I  have  not  accustomed 
myself- — to  hang  over  the  precipice  of  dis- 
union, to  see  whether,  with  my  short  sight,  I 
can  fathom — the  depth — of  the  abyss — below; 
nor  could  I  regard  him,  as  a  safe  counsellor  in 
the  affairs  of  this  government,  whose  thoughts 
should  be  mainly  bent  on  considering,  not 
how  the  union  should  be  preserved,  but,  how 
tolerable  might  be  the  condition  of  the  people, 
when  it  shall  be  broken  up,  and  destroyed. 

While  the  union  lasts,  we  have  high,  excit- 
ing, gratifying  prospects  spread  out  before 
us,  for  us,  and  our  children.  Beyond  that,  I 
seek  not  to  penetrate  the  vail.  God  grant, 
that,  in  my  day,  at  least,  that  curtain  may  not 
rise.  God  grant,  that  on  my  vision,  never 
may  be  opened  what  lies  behind.  When  my 
eyes  shall  be  turned  to  behold,  for  the  last 
time,  the  sun  in  heaven,  may  I  not  see  him 
shining  on  the  broken,  and  dishonored  frag- 
ments of  a  once  glorious  union ;  on  states 
dissevered,  discordant,  belligerent ;  on  a  land, 
rent  with  civil  feuds,  or  drenched,  it  may  be, 
in  fraternal  blood !  Let  their  last  feeble  and 
lingering  glance,  rather,  behold  the  gorgeous 
ensign  of  the  republic,  now  known,  and  hon- 
ored, throughout  the  earth,  still  full  high  ad- 
vanced, its  arms  and  trophies — streaming  in 
their  original  lustre,  not  a  stripe  erased,  or 
polluted,  nor  a  single  star  obscured — bearing 
for  its  motto,  no  such  miserable  interrogatory 
as — What  is  all  this  worth  ?  Nor  those  other 
words  of  delusion  and  folly — Liberty — -first, 
and  union  —  afterwards  —  but  everywhere, 
spread  all  over  in  characters  of  living  light, 
blazing  on  all  its  ample  folds,  as  they  float 
over  the  sea,  and  over  the  land,  and  in  every 
wind  under  the  whole  heavens,  that  other 
sentiment,  dear  to  every — true — American 
heart — Liberty  and  union,  now,  and  forever, 
one — and  inseparable  ! — Webster. 

619.      MOOXLIGHT,   ANT)    A   BATTLE-FIELD. 

How  beautiful  this  night!  the  balmiest  sigh, 
Which  vernal  zephyrs  breathe,  in  Evening's  ear, 
Were  discord,  to  the  speaking  quietude,      [vault, 
That  wraps  this  moveless  scene.     Heaven's  ebon 
Studded  with  stars  unutterably  bright, 
Thro'  which  the  moon's  unclouded  grandeur  rolls, 


Seems  like  a  canopy,  which  Love  hath  spread, 
To  curtain  her  sleeping  world.     Yon  gentle  hills, 
Robed  in  a  garment  of  untrodden  snow; 
Von  darksome  rocks,  whence  icicles  depend, 
So  stainless,  that  their  white  and  glittering  spires 
Tinge  not  the  moon's  pure  beam ;  yon  castl'd  steep, 
Whose  banner  hangetho'er  the  time-worn  tower, 
So  idly,  that  rapt  fancy,  deemeth  it 
A  metaphor  of  peace ; — all  form  a  scene, 
Where  musing  Solitude  might  love  to  lift 
Her  soul,  above  this  sphere  of  earthliness ! 
Where  Silence,  undisturbed,  might  watch  alone, 
So  cold,  so  bright,  so  still ! 

The  orb  of  day, 
In  southern  climes,  o'er  ocean's  waveless  field, 
Sinks,  sweetly  smiling:  not  the  faintest  breath 
Steals  o'er  the  unruffled  deep;  the  clouds  of  eve 
Reflect,  unmoved,  the  lingering  beam  of  day  ; 
And  Vesper's  image,  on  the  western  main. 
Is  beautifully  still.    To-morrow  comes : 
Cloud  upon  cloud,  in  dark  and  deepening  mass, 
Roll  o'er  the  blackened  waters;  the  deep  roar 
Of  distant  thunder  mutters  awfully ; 
Tempest  unfolds  its  pinions,  o'er  the  gloom, 
That  shrouds  the  boiling  surge  ;  the  pitiless  fiend, 
AVith  all  his  winds,  and  lightnings,  tracks  his  prey; 
The  lorn  deep  yawns — the  vessel  finds  a  grave 
Beneath  its  jagged  gulf. 

Ah  !  whence  yon  glare 
That  firesthe  arch  of  heaven?  that  dark  red  smoke, 
Blotting  the  silver  moon  ?  The  stars  are  quenched 
In  darkness,  and  the  pure  spangling  snow 
Gleams,  faintly,  thro'  the  gloom,  that  gathers  round! 
Hark  to  that  roar,  whose  swift  and  deafening  peals, 
In  countless  echoes  through  the  mountains  ring, 
Startling  pale  Midnight,  on  her  starry  throne ! 
Now  swells  the  intermingling  din;  the  jar, 
Frequent,  and  frightful,  of  the  bursting  bomb; 
The  falling  beam,  the  shriek,  the  groan,  the  shout, 
The  ceaseless  clangor,  and  the  rush  of  men 
Inebriate  with  rage ! — loud  and  more  loud, 
The  discord  grows;  till  pale  Death  shuts  the  scene, 
And,  o'er  the  conqueror,  and  the  conquered,  draws 
His  cold,  and  bloody  shroud.    Of  all  the  men, 
Whom  day's  departing  beam  saw  blooming  there, 
In  proud,  and  vigorous  health — of  all  the  hearts. 
That  beat  with  anxious  life,  at  sunset  there — 
How  few  survive,  how  few  are  beating  now! 
All  is  deep  silence,  like  the  fearful  calm, 
That  slumbers  in  the  storm's  portentous  pause  ; 
Save  when  the  frantic  wail  of  widowed  love 
Comes,  shuddering,  on  the  blast,  or  the  faint  moan, 
With  which  some  soul  bursts  from  the  frame  of  clay 
Wrapped  round  its  struggling  powers. 

The  gray  morn      [smoke, 
Dawns  on  the  mournful  scene ;   the   sulphurous 
Before  the  icy  wind,  slow  rolls  away, 
And  the  bright  beams  of  frosty  morning  dance 
Alongthe  spangling  snow.  There,  tracks  of  blood, 
Even  to  the  forest's  depth,  and  scattered  arms, 
And  lifeless  warriors,  whose  hard  lineaments 
Death's  self  could  change  not,  mark  the  dreadful 
Of  the  out-sallying  victors  :  far  behind,  [path 

Black  ashes  note,  where  their  proud  city  stood. 
Within  yon  forest,  is  a  glooomy  glen — 
Each  tree,  which  guards  its  darkness  from  the  day, 
Waves  o'er  a  warrior's  tomb. — Shelly. 


256 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


G20.    Goodness  of  God.     The  light  of 

nature,  the  works  of  creation,  the  general 
consent  of  nations,  in  harmony  with  divine 
revelation,  attest  the  being,  the  perfections, 
and  the  providence  of  God.  Whatever  cause 
we  have,  to  lament  the  frequent  inconsisten- 
cy of  human  conduct,  with  this  belief,  yet  an 
avowed  atheist  is  a  monster,  that  rarely 
makes  his  appearance.  God's  government 
of  the  affairs  of  the  universe,  an  acknowl- 
edgment of  his  active,  superintending  provi- 
dence, over  that  portion  of  it,  which  consti- 
tutes the  globe  we  inhabit,  is  rejected,  at  least 
theoretically,  by  very  few. 

That  a  superior,  invisible  power,  is  contin- 
ually employed  in  managing  and  controlling 
by  secret,  imperceptible,  irresistible  means, 
all  the  transactions  of  the  world,  is  so  often 
manifested  in  the  disappointment,  as  well  as 
in  the  success  of  our  plans,  that  blind  and 
depraved  must  our  minds  be,  to  deny,  what 
every  day's  transactions  so  fully  prove.  The 
excellence  of  the  divine  character,  especially 
in  the  exercise  of  that  goodness  towards  his 
creatures,  which  is  seen  in  the  dispensation 
of  their  daily  benefits,  and  in  overruling  oc- 
curring events,  to  the  increase  of  their  happi- 
ness, is  equally  obvious. 

Do  we  desire  evidence  of  these  things'? 
Who  is  without  them,  in  the  experience  of 
his  own  life  1  Who  has  not  reason,  to  thank 
God  for  the  success,  which  has  attended  his 
exertions  in  the  world  \  Who  has  not  reason 
to  thank  him,  for  defeating  plans,  the  accom- 
plishment of  which,  it  has  been  afterwards 
seen,  would  have  resulted  in  injury,  or  ruin! 
Who  has  not  cause,  to  present  him  the  unaf- 
fected homage  of  a  grateful  heart,  for  the  con- 
sequences of  events,  apparently  the  most  un- 
propitious,  and  for  his  unquestionable  kind- 
ness, in  the  daily  supply  of  needful  mercies '.' 

PROGRESS   OF    LIBERTY. 

Why  muse 
Upon  the  past,  with  sorrow  ?    Though  the  year 
Has  gone,  to  blend  with  the  mysterious  tide 
Of  old  Eternity,  and  borne  along, 
Upon  its  heaving  breast,  a  thousand  wrecks 
Of  glory,  and  of  beauty, — yet  why  mourn, 
That  such  is  destiny  ?    Another  year 
Succeedeth  to  the  past, — in  their  bright  round, 
The  seasons  come,  and  go, — the  same  blue  arch, 
That  hath  hung  o'er  us,  will  hang  o'er  us  yet, — 
The  same  pure  stars,  that  we  have  loved  to  watch, 
Will  blossom  still,  at  twilight's  gentle  hour, 
Like  lilies,  on  the  tomb  of  Day, — and  still, 
Man  will  remain,  to  dream,  as  he  hath  dreamed, 
And  mark  the  earth  with  passion.   Love  will  spring 
From  the  tomb  of  old  Affections, — Hope, 
And  Joy,  and  great  Ambition — will  rise  up, 
As  they  have  risen, — and  their  deeds  will  be 
Brighter,  than  those  engraven  on  the  scroll — 
Of  parted  centuries.     Even  now,  the  sea 
Of  coming  years,  beneath  whose  mighty  waves, 
Life's  great  events  are  heaving  into  birth, 
Is  tossing  to  and  fro,  as  if  the  winds 
Of  heaven  were  prisoned  in  its  soandless  depths, 
And  struggling  to  be  free. 
As  some  tall  cliff,  that  lifts  its  awful/or»j, 
Swells  from  the  vale,  and  midway  leaves  the  storm, 
Tho'  round  its  breast,  the  rolling  clouds  are  spread, 
Eternal  sunshine — settles  on  its  head. 
What  is  fame?    Afanafd  life  in  others'  breath. 


THE   OLD   OAKEN  BUCKET. 
How  dear  to  this  heart— are  the  scenes  of  mj-  childhood, 

When  fond  recollection — presents  them  to  view  ! 
The  orchard,  the  meadow,  the  deep-tangled  wild-vrooA. 

And  every  loved  spot,  which  my  infancy  knew; 
The  wide-spreading  pond,  and  the  mill  which  stood  by  it, 

The  bridge,  and  the  rock,  where  the  cataract  fell  J 
The  cot  of  my  father,  Ihedairy  house — nigh  it, 

And  e'en  the  rude  bucket,  which  hung  in  the  well ! 
The  old  oaken  bucket,  the  iron-bound  bucket, 
The  moss-covered  bucket,  which  hung  in  the  well. 
That  moss-covered  vessel—  I  hail  as  a.  treasure; 

For  often  at  noon,  when  returned  from  the  field, 
I  found  it —  the  source  of  an  exquisite  pleasure, 

The  purest,  and  sweetest,  that  nature  can  yield. 
How  ardent  I  seized-  it,  with  hands  that  were  glowing  t 

And  quick — to  the  white-pebbled  bottom  it  fell ; 
Then  soon,  with  the  emblem  of  truth  overflowing, 

And  dripping  with  coolness,  it  rose  from  the  well  ; 
The  old  oaken  bucket,  the  nwi-bound  bucket, 
Thej/ioss-covered  bucket — arose  from  the  well. 
How  sivect— from  the  green — mossy  brim — to  receive  it, 

As  poised  on  the  curb — it  inclined  to  my  lips  ! 
Not  a  full  blushing  goblet—  could  tempt  me  to  leave  it, 

Though  filled  with  the  nectar,  that  Jupiter  6ips. 
And  now,  far  removed — from  the  lov'd  situation, 

The  tear  of  regret  will  intrusively  swell, 
As  fancy — reverts  to  my  father's  plantation. 

And  sigfis  for  the  bucket,  which  hangs  in  the  well; 
The  old  oaken  bucket,  the  t/on-bound  bucket, 
The  moes-covered  bucket,  which  hangs  in  the  well. 

621.  Right  of  Free  Discussion.  Im- 
portant, as  I  deem  it,  to  discuss,  on  all  prop- 
er occasions,  the  policy  of  the  measures,  at 
present  pursued,  it  is  still  more  important 
to  maintain  the  right  of  such  discussion,  in 
its  full,  and  just  extent.  Sentiments,  lately 
sprung  up,  and  now  growing  fashionable, 
make  it  necessary  to  be  explicit  on  litis  point. 
The  more  I  perceive  a  disposition — to  check 
the  freedom  of  inquiry,  by  extravagant,  and 
unconstitutional  pretences,  the  firmer  shall 
be  the  tone,  in  which  I  shall  assert,  and  the 
freer  the  manner,  in  which  I  shall  exercise  it. 

It  is  the  ancient  and  undoubted  preroga- 
tive of  this  people — to  canvass  public  meas- 
ures, and  the  merits  of  public  men.  It  is  a 
"  home  bred  right,"  a  fireside  privilege.  It 
hath  ever  been  enjoyed  in  every  house,  cot- 
tage, and  cabin,  in  the  nation.  It  is  not  to  be 
drawn  into  controversy.  It  is  as  undoubted, 
as  the  right  of  breathing  the  air,  or  walking 
on  the  earth.  Belonging  to  private  life,  as  a 
right,  it  belongs  to  public  life,  as  a  duty;  and 
it  is  the  last  duty  which  those,  whose  repre- 
sentative I  am,  shall  find  me  to  abandon. 
Aiming,  at  all  times,  to  he  courteous,  and 
temperate  in  its  use,  except,  when  the  right 
itself  shall  be  questioned,  I  shall  then  carry 
it  to  its  extent.  I  shall  place  myself  on  the 
extreme  boundary  of  my  right,  and  bid  de- 
fiance to  any  arm,  that  would  move  me  from 
my  ground. 

This  high,  constitutional  privilege,  I  shall 
defend,  and  exercise,  within  this  house,  and 
villain!  this  house,  and  in  all  places ;  in  time 
of  peace,  and  in  all  times.  Living,  I  shall 
assert  it ;  and,  should  I  leave  no  other  inheri- 
tance to  my  children,  by  the  blessing  of  God, 
I  will  leave  them  the  inheritance  office  prin- 
ciples, and  the  example  of  a  manly,  inde- 
pendent, and  constitutional  defence  of  them. 

Grasp  the  whole  world  of  reason,  life,  and  sense, 
In  one  close  system  of  benevolence  ; 
Happier,  as  kindlier,  in  whatever  degree, 
A  height  of  bliss — is  height  of  charity. 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


257 


633.  Peace  and  War  Contrasted. 
The  morality  of  peaceful  times— is  directly 
opposite  to  the  maxims  of  war.  The  ftmcla- 
mental  rule  of  the  first  is— to  do  good;  of  the 
latter,  to  inflict  injuries.  The  former-com- 
mands us  to  suceor  the  oppressed;  the  latter 
to  overwhelm  the  defenceless.  The  former 
teaches  men  to  love  th  sir  enemies;  the  latter, 
to  make  themselves  terrible  to  strangers. 

The  rules  of  morality — will  not  sutler  us  to 
promote  the  dearest  interest,  by  falsehood; 
the  maxims  of  war  applaud  it,  when  employ- 
ed in  the  destruction  of  others.  Thatafamil- 
iarity  with  such  maxims,  must  tend  to  harden 
the  heart,  as  well  as  to  pervert  the  moral  sen- 
timents, is  too  obvious  to  need  illustration. 

The  natural  consequence  of  their  preva- 
lence is — an  unreeling,  and  unprincipled-  am- 
bition, with  an  idolatry  of  talents,  and  a  con- 
tempt of  virtue;  whence  the  esteem  of  man- 
kind is  turned  from  the  humble,  the  beneficent, 
and  the  good,  to  men  who  are  qualified,  by  a 
genius,  fertile  in  expedients,  a  courage,  that 
is  never  appalled,  and  a  heart,  that  never  pit- 
ies, to  become  the  destroyers  of  the  earth. 

While  the  philanthropist  is  devising  means 
to  mitigate  the  evils,  and  augment  the  happi- 
ness of  the  world,  a  fellow-worker  together 
with  God,  in  exploring,  and  giving  effect  to 
the  benevolent  tendencies  of  nature;  the 
warrior — is  revolving,  in  the  gloomy  recesses 
of  his  capacious  mind,  plans  of  future  devast- 
ation and  ruin. 

Prisons,  crowded  with  captives ;  cities,  emp- 
tied of  their  inhabitants ;  fields,  desolate  and 
waste,  are  among  his  proudest  trophies.  The 
fabric  of  his  fame  is  cemented  with  tears  and 
blood ;  and  if  his  name  is  wafted  to  the  ends 
of  the  earth,  it  is  in  the  shrill  cry  of  suffering 
humanity;  in  the  curses  and  imprecations 
of  those  whom  his  sword  has  reduced  to  des- 
pair. 

633.      IMMORTAL    MIND. 

When  coldness — wraps  this  suffering  clay, 

Ah,  whither — strays  the  immortal  mind? 
It  cannot  die,  it  cannot  stay, 

But  leaves  its  darkened  dust  behind. 
Then,  unembodied,  doth  it  trace, 

By  steps,  each  planet's  heavenly  way? 
Or  fill,  at  once,  the  realms  of  space, 

A  thing'  of  eyes,  that  all  survey? 

Eternal,  boundless,  undecayed, 

A  thought  unseen,  but  seeing  all, 
All,  all  in  earth,  or  skies  displayed, 

Shall  it  survey,  shall  it  recall; 
Each  fainter  trace,  that  memory  holds, 

So  darkly — of  departed  years, 
In  one  broad  glance — the  soul  beholds, 

And  all,  that  was,  at  once  appears. 

Before  creation  peopled  earth, 

Its  eye  shall  roll — through  chaos  back  ; 
And  where  the  farthest  heaven  had  birth, 

The  spirit  trace  its  rising  track. 
And  where  the  future  mars,  or  makes, 

Its  glance,  dilate  o'er  all  to  be, 
While  sun  is  quenched,  or  system  breaks; 

Fixed — in  its  own  eternity. 

Above  all  love,  hope,  hate,  or  fear, 
It  lives  all  passionless,  and  pure ; 

An  age  shall  fleet,  like  earthly  year; 
lis  years,  as  moments,  shall  endure. 

33  Y2 


Away,  away,  without  a  wing, 

O'er  all,  through  all,  its  thoughts  shall  fly; 

A  nameless,  and  eternal  thing, 
Forgetting— what  it  was  to  die.— Byron. 

Genuine  Taste.  To  the  eye  of  taste,  each 
season  of  the  year  has  its  peculiar  beauties; 
nor  does  the  venerable  oak,  whei  i  fringed  with 
the  hoary  ornaments  of  winter,  afford  a  pros- 
pect, less  various,  or  delightful,  than,  when 
decked  in  the  most  luxuriant  foliage.  Is,  then, 
the  winter  of  life — connected  with  no  associa- 
tions, but  those  of  horror  1  This  can  never 
be  the  case,  until  ideas  of  contempt — are  asso- 
ciated with  ideas  of  wisdom,  and  experience ; 
associations,  which  the  cultivation  of  true 
taste — would  effectually  prevent.  Suppose 
the  person,  who  wishes  to  improve  on  na- 
ture's plan,  should  apply  to  the  artificial  florist 
to  deck  the  bare  boughs  of  his  spreading  oak 
with  ever-blooming  roses;  would  it  not  be 
soon  discovered,  that,  in  deserting  nature,  he 
had  deserted  taste  1  It  should  be  remembered, 
that  the  coloring  of  nature,  whether  in  the  ani- 
mate, or  inanimate  creation,  never  fails  to  har- 
monize with  the  object ;  that  her  most  beauti- 
ful hues  are  often  transient,  and  excite  a  more 
lively  emotion  from  that  very  circumstance. 
634.    gambler's  wife. 

Dark  is  the  Eight !  How  dark  !  No  light !  No  fire! 

Cold,  on  the  hearth,  the  last  faint  sparks  expire  ! 

Shivering,  she  watches,  by  the  cradle  side, 

For  him,  who  pledged  her  love— last  year  a  bride! 

"  Hark !  'Tis  his  footstep  !    No !— 'Tis  past !— 'Tis  gone '." 

Tick ! — Tick  '. — H  How  wearily  the  time  crawls  on ! 

Why  should  he  leave  me  thus?— He  once  was  kind ! 

And  I  believed  t  would  last !— How  mad !— How  blind ! 

"Rest  thee,  my  babe  '.—Rest  on !—  'Tis  hunger's  cry  ! 

Sleep  !— For  there  is  no  food  !— The  font  is  dry ! 

Famine,  and  cold  their  wearying  work  have  done. 

My  heart  must  break !  And  thou !"    The  clock  strikes  one. 

"  Hush  !  tis  the  dice-box !  Tes !  he 's  there !  he 's  there ! 

For  this!— for  this  he  leaves  me  to  despair ! 

Leaves  love!  leaves  truth!  his  wife!  his  child!  for  what? 

The  wanton's  smile— the  villain — and  the  sot ! 

"Yet  I'll  not  curse  him.  No  !  'tis  all  in  vain! 

'Tis  long  to  wait,  but  sure  he'll  come  again  ! 

And  I  could  starve,  and  bless  him,  but  for  you, 

My  child  '.—his  child!  Oh,  fiend  !"    The  clock  strikes  two. 

"  Hark !  How  the  sign-board  creaks !  The  blast  howls  by. 

Moan!  moan!  A  dirge  swells  through  the  cloudy  sky! 

Ha !  'tis  his  knock !  he  comes !— he  comes  once  more V 

'Tis  but  the  lattice  flaps !    Thy  hope  is  o'er ! 

"  Can  he  desert  us  thus  !    He  knows  I  stay, 

Night  after  night,  in  loneliness,  to  pray 

For  his  return— and  yet  he  sees  no  tear! 

No  !  no !  It  cannot  be !  He  will  be  here ! 

"  Nestle  more  closely,  dear  one,  to  my  heart ! 

Thou'rt  cold !  Thou'rt  freezing !  But  we  will  not  part ! 

Husband  !— I  die  !— Father !— It  is  not  he ! 

Oh,  God !  protect  my  chill '."    The  clock  strikes  three. 

They're  gone,  they're  gone !  Ihe  glimmering  spark  hath  fled  !— 

The  wife,  and  child,  are  uumber'd  with  the  dead. 

On  the  cold  earth,  outstretched  in  solemn  rest, 

The  babe  lay,  frozen  on  its  mother's  breast: 

The  gambler  came  at  last — but  all  was  o'er — 

Dread  silence  reign'd  around  :— the  clock  struck  four  '.—Coatcs. 

Goodness — is  only  greatness  in  itself, 

It  rests  not  on  externals,  nor  its  worth 
Derives— from  gorgeous  pomp,  or  glittering  pelf, 

Or  chance  of  arms,  or  accident  of  birth ; 
It  lays  its  foundations  in  the  soul. 

And  piles  a  tower  of  virtue  to  the  skies, 
Around  whose  pinnacle — majestic — roll 

The  clouds  of  glory,  starr'd  with  angel  eyes. 


258 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


625.      DABKNESS. 

I  had  a  dream,  which  was  not  all  a  dream. 
The  bright  sun  was  extinguished,  and  the  stars 
Did  wander,  darkling,  in  the  eternal  space, 
Rayless,  and  pathless, and  the  icy  earth 
Swung  blind, and  blackening,  in  the  moonless  air ; 
Morn  came,  and  went — and  came,  and  bro't  no 
And  men  forgot  their  passions,  in  the  dread  [day ; 
Of  this  their  desolation  ;  and  all  hearts 
Were  chilled— into  a  selfish  prayer  for  light : 
And  they  did  live  by  watch-fires;  and  the  thrones, 
The  palaces  of  crowned  kings,  the  huts, 
The  habitations  of  all  things,  which  dwell, — 
Were  burnt  for  beacons  ;  cities  were  consumed, 
Andmenw'regather'd  round  their  blazing  homes, 
To  look  once  more  into  each  oiher's  face  : 
Happy  were  those  who  dwelt  within  the  eye 
Of  the  volcanoes,  and  their  mountain  torch. 

A  fearful  hope — was  all — the  world  contained: 
Forests  were  set  on  fire  ;  but.  hour  by  hour, 
They  fell,  and  faded,  and  the  crackling  trunks 
Extinguished  with  a  crash,  and  all  was  black. 
The  brows  of  men,  by  the  despairing  light, 
"Wore  an  unearthly  aspect,  as,  by  fits, 
The  flashes  fell  upon  them.     Some  lay  down, 
And  hid  their  eyes,  and  wept ;  and  some  did  rest 
Their  chins  upon  their  clenched  hands, and  sinil'd; 
And  others  hurried  to  and  fro,  and  fed 
Their  funeral  piles  with  fuel,  and  looked  up, 
With  mad  disquietude,  on  the  dull  sky, 
The  pall  of  a  past  world  ;  and  then  again, 
With  curses,  cast  them  down  upon  the  dust, 
And  gnashed  their  teeth,  and  howled.    The  wild 

birds  shrieked, 
And,  terrified,  did  flutteron  the  ground, 
And  flap  their  useless  wings  :  the  wildest  brutes 
Came  tame,  and  tremulous;  and  vipers  crawled 
And  twined  themselves  among  the  multitude, 
Hissing,  but  stingless— they  were  slain  for  food. 

And  War,  which  for  a  moment  was  no  more, 
Did  glut  himself  again — a  meal  was  bought 
With  blood,  and  each  sat  sullenly  apart, 
Gorging  himself  in  gloom  :  no  love  was  left; 
All  earth  was  but  one  thought — and  that  was 
Immediate  and  inglorious  ;  and  men         [death, 
Died,  and  their  bones  mere  as  tombless  as  their 
The  meagre,  by  the  meagre  were  devoured;  [flesh: 
Even  dogs  assailed  their  masters — all  save  one, 
And  he  was  faithful  to  a  corse,  and  kept 
The  birds,  and  beasts,  and  famished  men,  at  hay, 
Till  hunger  clung  them,  or  the  dropping  dead 
Lured  their  lank  jaws  ;  himself,  sought  out  no 
But,  with  a  piteous,  and  perpetual  moan,    [food, 
And  a  quick,  desolate  cry,  licking  the  hand 
Which  answered  not  with  a  caress — he  died. 

The  crowd  was  famished  by  degress  :  but  two 
Of  an  enormous  city  did  survive, 
And  they  were  enemies  ;  they  met  beside 
The  dying  embers — of  an  altar-place, 
Where  had  been  heaped  a  mass  of  holy  things, 
For  an  unholy  usage  ;  they  raked  up,       [bands, 
And,  shivering,  scraped,  with  their  cold,  skeleton 
The  feeble  ashes,  and  their  feeble  breath 
Blew  for  a  little  life,  and  made  a  flame, 
Which  was  a  mockery;  then  they  lifted 
Their  eyes  as  it  grew  lighter,  and  beheld 
Each  other's  aspects;  saw,  and  shriek'd,  and  died. 


Even  of  their  mutual  hideousness  they  died, 
Unknowing  who  he  was,  upon  whose  brow — 
Famine  had  written /end.    The  worldwas  void; 
The  populous,  and  the  powerful  was  a  lump — 
Seasonless,  herbless,  treeless,  manless,  lifeless  ; 
A  lump  of  death — a  chaos  of  hard  clay. 
The  rivers,  lakes,  and  ocean,  all  stood  still, 
And  nothing  stirred,  within  their  silent  depths ; 
Ships,  sailorless,  lay  rotting  on  the  sea,  [dropped, 
And  their  masts  fell  down  piecemeal ;  as  they 
They  slept,  on  the  abyss,  without  a  surge  : 
The  waves  were  dead;  the  tides  were  in  their 

grave ; 
The  moon,  their  mistress,  had  expired  before  ; 
The  winds  were  withered  in  the  stagnant  air, 
And  the  clouds  perished  ;  Darkness  had  no  need 
Of  aid  from  them  ;  she — was  the  universe. — By'n. 
626.  Thce  Pleasure  Defined.  We 
are  affected  with  delightful  sensations,  when 
we  see  the  inanimate  parts  of  the  creation, 
the  meadows,  flowers,  and  trees,  in  a  flour- 
ishing state.  There  must  he  some  rooted 
melancholy  at  the  heart,  when  all  nature  ap- 
pears smiling  about  us,  to  hinder  us  from 
corresponding  with  the  rest  of  the  creation, 
and  joining  in  the  universal  chorus  of  joy. 
But  if  meadows  and  trees,  in  their  cheerful 
verdure,  if  flowers,  in  their  bloom,  and  all  the 
vegetable  parts  of  the  creation,  in  their  most 
advantageous  dress,  can  inspire  gladness  into 
the  heart,  and  drive  away  ail  sadness  but  de- 
spair; to  see  the  rational  creation  happy,  and 
flourishing,  ought  to  give  us  a  pleasure  as 
much  superior,  as  the  latter  is  to  the  former, 
in  the  scale  of  being.  But  the  pleasure  is 
still  heightened,  if  we  ourselves  have  been  in- 
strumental, in  contributing  to  the  happiness 
of  our  fellow-creatures,  if  we  have  helped  to 
raise  a  heart,  drooping  beneath  the  weight  of 
grief,  and  revived  that  barren  and  dry  land, 
where  no  water  was,  with  refreshing  showers 
of  love  and  kindness. 

THE   WILDERNESS   OF   MIND. 

There  is  a  wilderness,  more  dark 

Than  groves  of  fir — on  Huron's  shore  J 
And  in  that  cheerless  region,  hark! 

How  serpents  hiss!  how  monsters  roar! 
'Tis  not  among  the  untrodden  isles, 

Of  vast  Superior's  stormy  lake, 
Where  social  comfort  never  smiles, 

Nor  sunbeams— pierce  the  tangled  brake: 
Nor,  is  it  in  the  deepest  shade, 

Of  India's  tiger-haunted  wood ; 
Nor  western  forests,  unsurvey'd, 

Where  crouching  panthers — lurk  for  blood: 
'Tis  in  the  dark,  uni  ultur'd  soul, 

By  education  unrefin'd — 
Where  hissing  Malice,  Vices  foul, 
And  all  the  hateful  Passions  prowl — 

The  frightful  Wilderness  of  Mind. 
Were  man 
But  constant,  he  were  perfect ;  that  one  error — 
Fills  biin  with  faults  ;  makes  him  run  through  all 

sins ; 
Inconstancy — falls  off — ere  it  begins. 
Vice  is  a  monster  of  such  hateful  mien, 
That,  to  be  hated — needs  but  to  be  seen; 
Yet,  seen  too  oft — familiar  with  her  face, 
We  first  endure,  then  pity,  then  embrace. 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


259 


637.  Genus.  The  favorite  idea  of  a  ge- 
nius among  us,  is  of  one,  who  never  studies, 
or  who  studies  nobody  can  tell  when ;  at  mid- 
night, or  at  odd  times,  and  intervals,  and  now 
and  then  strikes  out."  at  a  heat,"  as  t  lie  phrase 
is,  si  line  wonderful  production.  This  is  a 
cterthal  has  figured  largely  in  the  his- 
tory of  our  literature,  in  the  person  of  our 
Fieldings,  our  Savages,  and  our  Steeles; 
"loose  fellows  about  town,  or  loungers  in  the 
country,"  who  slept  in  ale-houses,  and  wrote 
in  bar-rooms;  who  took  up  the  pen  as  a  ma- 
gician's wand,  to  supply  their  wants,  and, 
when  the  pressure  of  necessity  was  relieved, 
resorted  again  to  their  carousals.  Your  real 
genius  is  an  idle,  irregular,  vagabond  sort  of 
personage ;  who  muses  in  the  fields. or  dreams 
by  the  fireside:  wnose  stroir.'  impulses — that 
is  the  cant  ot  it — must  needs  hurry  him  into 
wild  irregularities,  or  foolish  eccentricity; 
who  abhors  order,  and  can  bear  no  restraint, 
and  eschews  all  Labor;  such  a  one  as  Newton 
or  .Milton!  What)  they  must  have  been  ir- 
regular, else  they  were  no  geniuses.  "The 
young  man,"  it  is  often  said, ''has  genius 
enough,  if  he  would  only  study."  Now,  the 
truth  is,  as  I  shall  take  the  liberty  to  state  it, 
that  the  -enius  will  study;  it  is  that  in  the 
mind  which  does  study :  that  is  the  very  na- 
ture of  it.  I  care  not  to  say,  that  it  will  al- 
ways use  books.  All  study  is  not  reading, 
any  more  than  all  reading  is  study. 

Attention  it  is,  though  other  qualities  belong 
to  this  transcendent  power, — attention  it  is, 
that  is  the  very  soul  of  genius ;  not  the  fixed 
eye,  not  the  poring  over  a  book,  but  the  fixed 
thought.  It  is.  in  fact,  an  action  of  the  mind, 
which  is  steadily  concentrated  upon  one  idea, 
or  one  series  of  ideas,  which  collects,  in  one 
point,  the  rays  of  the  soul,  till  they  search, 
penetrate,  and  fire  the  whole  train  of  its 
thoughts.  And  while  the  fire  burns  within, 
the  outside  may  be  indeed  cold,  indifferent, 
neulisent,  absent  in  appearance ;  he  may  be 
an  idler,  or  a  wanderer,  apparently  without 
aim,  or  intent;  but  still  the  fire  burns  within. 
And  what  though  "  it  bursts  forth,"  at  length, 
as  has  been  said,  "  like  volcanic  fires,  with 
spontaneous,  original,  native  force  V  It  only 
snows  the  intense  action  of  the  elements  be- 
neath. What  though  it  breaks  forth — like 
lightning  from  the  cloud  1  The  electric  fire 
had  been  collecting  in  the  firmament,  through 
many  a  silent,  clear,  and  calm  day.  What 
though  the  might  of  genius  appears  in  one 
decisive  blow,  struck  in  some  moment  of  high 
debate,  or  at  the  crisis  of  a  nation's  peril! 
That  mighty  energy,  though  it  may  have 
heaved  in  the  breast  of  Demosthenes,  was 
once  a  feeble  infant  thought.  A  mother's  eye 
watched  over  its  dawnings.  A  lather's  care 
guarded  its  early  youth.  It  soon  trod,  with 
youthful  steps,  the  halls  of  learning,  and 
found  other  fathers  to  wake,  and  to  watch  for 
it.  even  as  it  finds  them  here.  It  went  on; 
but  silence  was  upon  its  path,  and  the  deep 
stniiC^liiiLcs  of  the  inward  soul  silently  minis- 
tered to  it.  The  elements  around  breathed 
upon  it,  and  "touched  it  to  finer  issues." 
The  golden  ray  of  heaven  fell  upon  it,  and 
ripened  its  expanding  faculties.  The  slow 
revolutions  of  years  slowly  added  to  its  col- 
lected energies  and  treasures;  till,  in  its  hour 
of  glory,  it  stood  forth  imbodied  in  the  form 
of  Irving,  commanding,  irresistible  eloquence. 
The  world  wonders  at  the  manifestation,  and 
says,  "  Strange,  strange,  that  it  should  come 


thus  unsought,  unpremeditated,  unprepard  I" 
Hut  the  truth  is,  there  is  no  more  a  miracle  in 
it,  than  there  is  in  the  towering  of  the  pre- 
eminent forest-tree,  or  in  the  flowing  of  the 
mighty,  and  irresistible  river,  or  in  the  wealth, 
and  waving  of  the  boundless  harvest.— Deiccy. 

G3  8.      THE   THREE   BLACK   CROWS. 

Two  honest  tradesmen — meeting  in  the  Strand, 

One,  took  the  other,  briskly  by  the  hand ; 

'■  Hark  ye,"  said  he,  "  'tis  an  odd  story  this, 

About  the  crows'." — "I  don't  know  what  it  is." 

Replied  his  friend. — "  No!  I'm  surprised  at  that; 

Where  I  come  from  it  is  the  common  chat : 

But  you  shall  hear:  an  odd  alFair  indeed  ! 

And  that  it  happened,  they  are  all  agreed  : 

Not  to  detain  you  from  a  thing  so  strange, 

A  gentleman,  that  lives  not  far  from  'Change, 

This  week,  in  short,  as  all  the  alley  knows, 

Taking  a  puke,  has  thrown  up  three  black  crows." 

"Impossible!" — "Nay,  hut  its  really  true, 

I  had  it  from  good  hands,  and  so  may  you.'1 

•'From  whose.  I  pray?"  So,  having  named  the  man, 

Straight  to  inquire — his  curious  comrade  ran. 

"  Sir,  did  you  tell  " — relating  the  affair — 

"  Yes,  sir,  I  did  ;  and  if  its  worth  your  care, 

Ask  .Air.  Such-a-one,  he  told  it  me; 

But,  by  the  by,  'twas  two  black  crows,  not  three." 

Resolved  to  trace  so  wondrous  an  event, 

Whip  to  the  third,  the  virtuoso  went.  [fact, 

''Sir." — and  so  forth — "Why,  yes;  the  thing's  a 

Though,  in  regard  to  number,  not  exact; 

It  was  not  two  black  crows,  'twas  only  one; 

The  truth  of  that,  you  may  depend  upon, 

The  gentleman  himself  told  me  the  case,   [place." 

"Where  may  I  find   him?"     "Why, — in  such  a 

Away  he  goes,  and,  having  found  him  out, — 

"  Sir,  be  so  good  as  to  resolve  a  doubt." 

Then,  to  his  last  informant,  he  referred, 

And  begged  to  know  if  true,  what  he  had  heard. 

"  Did  you,  sir.  throw  up  a  black  crow?"    "  Not  II" 

"Bless  me!  how  people  propagate  a  lie!        [one. 

Black  crows  have  been  thrown  up,  three,  two,  and 

And  here  I  find,  at  last,  all  comes  to  none ! 

Did  you  say  nothing  of  a  crow  at  all  ?" 

"  Crow — crow — perhaps  I  might,  now  I  recall 

The  matter  over."     "  And  pray.  sir.  what  was 't?" 

"  Why,  I  was  horrid  sick,  and,  at  the  last, 

I  did  throw  up,  and  told  my  neighbor  so, 

Something  that  was  as  black,  sir,  as  a  crow." 

The  Highest  Occupation  of  Gen  i  rs.  To 
diffuse  useful  information,  to  farther  intellec- 
tual refinement,  sure  forerunners  of  moral  im- 
provement, to  hasten  the  coming  of  that  bright 
day,  when  the  dawn  of  general  knowledge 
shall  chase  away  the  lazy,  lingering  mists, 
even  from  the  base  of  the  great  social  pyramid ; 
this,  indeed,  is  a  high  calling,  in  which  the  most 
splendid  talents  and  consummate  virtue  may 
well  press  onward,  eager  to  bear  a  part. 

How  soon — time — flies  away!  yet,  as  I  watch  it, 
Alethinks,  by  the  slow  progress  of  this  hand, 
I  should  have  liv'd  an  age — since  yesterday, 
And  have  an  age  Xolive.    Still,  on  it  creeps, 
Each  little  moment  at  another's  heels, 
Of  such  small  parts  as  these,  and  men  look  back, 
Worn  and  bewildered,  wondering — how  it  is. 
Thou  travel'st — like  a  ship,  in  the  wide  ocean, 
Which  hatli  nobounding  shore  to  mark  its  progress, 
O  time  !  ere  long.  I  shall  have  done  with  thee. 


260 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


629.  Perry's  Victory.  Were  anything 
wanting,  to  perpetuate  the  fame  of  this  vic- 
tory, it  would  be  sufficiently  memorable,  from 
the  scene  where  it  was  fought.  This  war  has 
been  distinguished,  by  new  and  peculiar  char- 
acteristics. Naval  warfare  has  been  carried 
into  the  exterior  of  a  continent,  and  navies, 
as  if  by  magic,  launched  trom  among  the 
depths  of  the  forest !  The  bosom  of  peace- 
ful lakes,  which,  but  a  short  time  since,  were 
scarcely  navigated  by  man,  except  to  be 
skimmed  by  the  light  canoe  of  the  savage, 
have  all  at  once  been  ploughed  by  hostile 
ships.  The  vast  silence,  that  had  reigned, 
for  ages,  on  these  mighty  waters,  was  broken 
by  the  thunder  of  artillery,  and  the  affrighted 
savage — stared,  with  amazement,  from  his 
covert,  at  the  sudden  apparition  of  a  sea- 
fight,  amid  the  solitudes  of  the  wilderness. 

The  peal  of  war  has  once  sounded  on  that 
lake,  but  probably,  will  never  sound  again. 
The  last  roar  of  cannon,  that  died  along  her 
shores,  was  the  expiring  note  of  British  dom- 
ination. Those  vast,  eternal  seas  wiU,  per- 
haps, never  again  be  the  separating  space, 
between  contending  nations ;  but  wili  be  em- 
bosomed— within  a  mighty  empire ;  and  this 
victory,  which  decided  their  fate,  will  stand 
unrivalled,  and  alone,  deriving  lustre,  and 
perpetuity,  from  its  singleness. 

In  future  times,  when  the  shores  of  Erie  shall 
hum  with  a  busy  population ;  when  towns, 
and  cities,  shall  brighten,  where  now,  ex- 
tend the  dark  tangled  forest ;  when  ports  shall 
spread  their  arms,  and  lofty  barks  shall  ride, 
where  now  the  canoe  is  fastened  to  the  stake ; 
when  the  present  age  shall  have  grown  into 
venerable  antiquity,  and  the  mists  of  fable 
begin  to  gather  round  its  history,  then,  will 
the  inhabitants  of  Canada  look  back  to  this 
battle  we  record,  as  one  of  the  romantic 
achievements  of  the  days  of  yore.  It  will 
stand  first  on  the  page  of  their  local  legends, 
and  in  the  marvellous  tales  of  the  borders. 
The  fisherman,  as  he  loiters  along  the  beach, 
will  point  to  some  half-buried  cannon,  corro- 
ded with  the  rust  of  time,  and  will  speak  of 
ocean  warriors,  that  came  from  the  shores  of 
the  Atlantic ;  while  the  boatman,  as  he  trims 
his  sail  to  the  breeze,  will  chant,  in  rude  dit- 
ties, the  name  of  Perry,  the  early  hero  of 
Lake  Erie. — Irving. 

THE  SLANDERER. 

Twas  Slander,  filled  her  mouth,  with  lying  words, 
Slander,  the  foulest  whelp  of  Sin.    The  man, 
In  whom  this  spirit  entered,  was  undone. 
His  tongue — was  set  on  fire  of  hell,  his  heart — 
Was  black  as  death,  his  legs  were  faint  with  haste 
To  propagate  the  lie,  his  soul  had  framed. 
His  pillow — was  the  peace  of  families 
Destroyed,  the  sigh  of  innocence  reproached, 
Broken  friendships,  and  the  strife  of  brotherhoods ; 
Yet  did  he  spare  his  sleep,  and  hear  the  clock 
Number  the  midnight  watches,  on  his  bed, 
Devising  mischief  more  ;  and  early  rose, 
And  made  most  hellish  meals  of  good  men's  names. 
From  door  to  door,  you  might  have  seen  him  speed, 
Or,  placed  amidst  a  group  of  gaping  fools, 
And  whispering  in  their  ears,  with  his  foul  lips; 
Peace  lied  the  neighborhood,  in  which  he  made 
His  haunts;  and,  like  a  moral  pestilence, 
Before  his  breath — the  healthy  shoots  and  blooms 
Of  social  joy  and  happiness,  decayed. 
Fools  only,  in  his  company  were  seen, 


And  those,  forsaken  of  God,  and  to  themselves  giv- 
The  prudent  shunned  him,  and  his  house,    [en  up. 
As  one,  who  had  a  deadly  moral  plague  ; 
And  lain  all  would  have  shunned  him,  at  the  day 
Of  judgment;  but  in  vain.    All,  who  gave  ear, 
With  greediness,  or,  wittingly,  their  tongues 
Made  herald  to  his  lies,  around  him  wailed; 
While  on  his  face,  thrown  back  by  injured  men 
In  characters  of  ever-blushing  shame, 
Appeared  ten  thousand  slanders,  all  his  own. 

<»:{<>.  True  Friexbship.  Damon  and  Py- 
thias, of  the  Pythagorean  sect  in  philosophy, 
lived  in  the  time  of  Dionysius,  the  tyrant  of 
Sicily.  Their  mutual  friendship  was  so 
strong,  that  they  were  ready  to  die  for  one 
another.  One  of  the  two,  (for  it  is  not  known 
which,)  being  condemned  to  death,  by  the  ty- 
rant, obtained  leave  to  go  into  his  own  coun- 
try, to  settle  his  affairs,  on  condition,  that  the 
other  should  consent  to  be  imprisoned  in  his 
stead,  and  put  to  death  for  him,  if  he  did  not 
return,  before  the  day  of  execution.  The  at- 
tention of  every  one,  and  especially  of  the  ty- 
rant himself,  was  excited  to  the  highest  pitch, 
as  every  body  was  curious,  to  see  what  would 
be  the  event  of  so  strange  an  affair.  When 
the  time  was  almost  elapsed,  and  he  who  was 
gone  did  not  appear ;  the  rashness  of  the  oth- 
er, whose  sanguine  friendship  had  put  him 
upon  running  so  seemingly  desperate  a  haz- 
ard, was  universally  blamed.  But  he  still  de- 
clared, that  he  had  not  the  least  shadow  of 
doubt  in  his  mind,  of  his  friend's  fidelity.  The 
event  showed  how  well  he  knew  him.  He 
came  in  due  time,  and  surrendered  himself  to 
that  fate,  which  he  had  no  reason  to  think  he 
should  escape  ;  and  which  he  did  not  desire 
to  escape,  by  leaving  his  friend  to  suffer  in 
his  place.  Such  fidelity  softened,  even  the 
savage  heart  of  Dionysius  himself.  He  par- 
doned the  condemned;  he  gave  the  two 
friends  to  one  another,  and  begged  that  they 
would  take  himself  in  for  a  tlurd. 

THE  CORAL  GROVE. 

Deep — in  the  wave,  is  a  coral  grove, 
AVhere  the  purple  mullet,  and  gold-fish  rove, 
Where  the  sea-flower — spreads  its  leaves  of  blue, 
That  never  are  wet,  with  fallen  dew, 
But  in  bright  and  changeful  beauty  shine, 
Far  down  in  the  green,  and  glassy  brine. 
The  floor  is  of  sand,  like  the  mountain  drift, 

And  the  pearl-shells  spangle  the  flinty  snow  ; 
From  coral  rocks  the  sea-plants  lift 

Their  hows,  where  the  tides  and  billows  flow; 
The  water  is  calm  and  still  below, 

For  the  winds  and  the  waves  are  absent  there, 
And  the  sands — are  bright  as  the  stars,  that  glow 

In  the  motionless  fields  of  upper  air  : 
There,  with  its  waving  blade  of  green, 

The  sea-flag  streams  through  the  silent  water, 
And  the  crimson  leaf  of  the  pulse  is  seen 

To  blush,  like  a  banner,  bathed  in  slaughter: 
There,  with  a  light  and  easy  motion, 

The  fan-coral  sweeps  through  the  clear  deep  sea; 
And  the  yellow  and  scarlet  tufts  of  ocean, 

Are  bending  like  corn,  on  the  upland  lea: 
And  life,  in  rare  and  beautiful  forms, 

Is  sporting  amid  those  bowers  of  stone, 
And  is  safe,  when  the  wrathful  Spirit  of  storms, 

lias  made  the  top  of  the  waves  his  own. 
Pride  goeth  before  destruction. 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


261 


631.  Brutcs'  Harangue  ox  Cesar's 
Death.  Romans,  countrymen,  and  lovers! 
hear  me — for  my  cause;  and  be  silent,  that 
you  may  hear.  Believe  me — tor  mine  honor ; 
and  have  respect  to  mine  honor,  that  you  may 
believe.  Censure  me  in  your  wisdom  ;  and 
awake  your  senses,  that  you  may  the  better 
judge.  Lf  there  be  any,  in  this  assembly,  any 
dear  friend  of  Cesar's,  to  him  I  say  that  Bru- 
tus' love  tn  Cesar — was  no  less  than  his.  If, 
then,  thi t  friend  demand,  why  Brutus — rose 
against  Cesar,  this  is  my  answer:  Not  that  I 
loved  Cesar — less,  but,  that  I  loved  Rome 
more.  1  Tad  you  rather  Cesar  were  living,  and 
die  all  slaves;  than  that  Cesar  were  dead,  to 
live  all  freemen  1  As  Cesar  loved  me,  I  weep 
for  him;  as  he  was  fortunate,  I  rejoice  at  it; 
as  he  was  valiant,  I  honor  him ;  but,  as  he 
was  ambitious,  I  slew  him.  There  arc  tears 
for  his  love,  J03- — for  his  fortune,  honor — for 
his  valor,  and  death — for  his  ambition.  Who's 
here  so  base,  that  would  be  a  bondman!  if 
any,  speak ;  for  him — have  I  offended.  Who's 
here  so  rude,  that  would  not  be  a  Roman  1  if 
any,  speak  1  for  him — have  I  offended.  Who's 
here  so  vile,  that  will  not  love  his  country  l  if 

any.  speak;  for  him — have  I  offended. 1 

pause  for  a  reply. 

None !  then  none — have  I  offended.  I  have 
done  no  more  to  Cesar,  than  you  should  do  to 
Brutus.  The  question  of  his  death — is  en- 
rolled in  the  capitol ;  his  glory  not  extenuated, 
wherein  he  was  worthy ;  nor  his  offences  en- 
forced, for  which  he  suffered  death. 

Here  comes  his  body,  mourned  by  Mark 
Antony ;  who,  though  he  had  no  hand  in  his 
death,  shall  receive  the  benefit  of  his  dying,  a 
place  in  the  commonwealth ;  as,  which  of  you 

shall  not! — With  this  I  depart that  as  I 

slew  my  best  lover — for  the  good  of  Rome,  I 
have  the  same  dagger  for  myself,  when  it  shall 
please  my  country  to  need  my  death. 

633.      ACCOMPLISHED   YOUNG   LADY. 

She  shone,  at  every  concert;  where  are  bought 
Ticket5,  by  all  who  wish  them,  for  a  dollar; 

She  patronised  the  theatre,  and  thought, 
That  Wallack  looked  extremely  well  in  Rolla; 

She  fell  in  love,  as  all  the  ladies  do, 

With  Mr.  Simpson — talked  as  loudly,  too, 

As  any  beauty  of  the  highest  grade, 
To  the  gay  circle  in  the  box  beside  her; 

And  when  the  pit — half  vexed,  and  half  afraid, 
With  looks  of  smothered  indignation  eyed  her; 

She  calmly  met  their  gaze,  and  stood  before  'em, 

Smiling  at  vulgar  taste,  and  mock  decorum. 

And  though  by  no  means  a  "Bas  bleu,"  she  had 

For  literature,  a  most  becoming  passion; 
Had  skimmed  the  latest  novels,  good,  and  bad, 

And   read  the  Croakers,  when  they  were  in 
fashion; 
And  Dr.  Chalmers'  sermons.of  a  Sunday;    [gundi. 
And  Woodworth's  Cabinet,  and  the  new  Salma- 
She  was  among  the  first,  and  warmest  patrons 

Of  G******'s  conversaziones,  where,  [matrons, 
In  rainbow  groups,  our  bright  eyed  maids,  and 

On  science  bent,  assemble:  to  prepare 
Themselves  for  acting  well,  in  life,  their  part, 
As  wives  and  mothers.   There  she  learn'd  by  heart 

Words,  to  the  witches  in  Macbeth  unknown, 
Hydraulics,  hydrostatics,  and  pneumatics, 


Dioptrics,  optics,  katoptrics,  carbon, 

Chlorine,  and  iodine,  and  aerostatics ; 
Also, — why  frogs,  for  want  of  air,  expire; 
And  how  to  set  the  Tappan  sea  on  fire! 
In  all  the  modern  languages,  she  was 

Exceedingly  well  versed ;  and  had  devoted, 
To  their  attainment,  far  more  time  than  has, 

By  the  best  teachers  lately,  been  allotted; 
For  she  had  taken  lessons,  twice  a  week, 
For  a  full  month  in  each;  and  she  could  speak 
French  and  Italian,  equally  as  well 

As  Chinese,  Portuguese,  or  German;  and 
What  is  still  more  surprising,  she  could  spell 

Most  of  our  longest  English  words,  offhand; 
Was  quite  familiar  in  Low  Dutch  and  Spanish, 
And  tho't  of  studying  modern  Greek  and  Danish. 
She  sang  divinely :  and  in  "  Love's  young  dream." 

And  ■•Fanny  dearest,"  and  "The  soldier's  bride ;" 
And  ever)"  song  whose  dear  delightful  theme, 

Is  ••  Love,  still  love,"  had  oft  till  midnight  tried 
Her  finest,  loftiest  pigeon-wings  of  sound, 
Waking  the  very  watchmen  far  around. — Halleck. 

633.  Charity.  Though  I  speak — with 
the  tongues  of  men,  and  of  angels,  and  have 
not  charity,  I  am  become  as  sounding  brass, 
or  a  tinkling  cymbal.  And  though  I  have  the 
gift  of  prophecy,  and  understand  all  myste- 
ries, and  all  knowledge ;  and  though  I  have 
all  faith,  so  that  I  could  remove  mountains, 
and  have  not  charity,  I  am  nothing. 

And  though  I  bestow  all  my  goods  to  feed 
the  poor,  and  though  I  give  my  body  to  lie 
burned,  and  have  not  charity,  it  profiteth  me 
nothing.  Charity — suffereth  long,  and  is  kind ; 
charity — envieth  not ;  charity — vaunteth  not 
itself;  it  is  not  puffed  up ;  doth  not  behave  it- 
self unseemly ;  seeketh  not  her  own  ;  is  not 
easily  provoked ;  thinketh  no  evil ;  rejoiceth 
not  in  iniquity,  but  rejoiceth  in  the  truth; 
beareth  all  things,  believeth  all  things,  hopeth 
all  things,  endureth  all  things. 

Charity — never  faileth :  but  whether  there 
be  prophecies,  they  shall  fail ;  whether  there 
be  tongues,  they  shall  cease ;  whether  there 
be  knowledge,  it  shall  vanish  away.  For  we 
know,  in  part,  and  we  prophecy,  in  part.  But, 
when  that  which  is  perfect,  is  come,  then  that, 
which  is  in  part,  shall  be  done  away. 

When  I  was  a  child,  I  spake  as  a  child,  I 
understood  as  a  child,  I  thought  as  a  child; 
but  when  I  became  a  man,  I  put  away  child- 
ish things.  For  now,  we  see  through  a  glass, 
darkly ;  but  then,  face  to  face :  now,  I  know 
in  part;  but  then,  shall  I  know,  even  as  also 
I  am  known.  And  now  abideth  faith,  hope, 
charity,  these  three ;  but  the  greatest  of  these 
is  charity. — St  Paul. 

EARLY   RISING   AND   PRAYER. 

When  first  thy  eyes  unvail.  give  thy  soul  leave 
To  do  the  like ;  our  bodies — but  forerun 
The  spirit's  duty ;  true  hearts — spread  and  heave 
Unto  their  God,  as  flowers  do — to  the  sun; 
Give  him  thy  first  tho'ts  then,  so — shalt  thou  keep 
Him  company — all  day,  and  in  him — sleep. 
Yet  never  sleep  the  sun  up ;  prayer — should 
Dawn  with  the  day ;  there  are  set — awful  hours — 
Twixt  heaven  and  us;  the  manna — was  not  good 
After  sun  rising;  for  day — sullies  flowers  ; 
Rise — to  prevent  the  sun  ;  sleep — doth  sins  glut, 
And  heaven's  gate  opens,  when  the  world's  is  shut. 
Convene  with  nature's  charms,  and  see  her  stores  unroll'! 


262 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


634:.      SAILOR   BOY'S    DREAM. 

In  slumbers  of  midnight,  the  sailor  boy  lay ; 

His  hammock  swung  loose,  at  the  sport  of  the  wind  j 
But  watch-worn,  and  weary,  his  cares  flew  away, 

And  visions  of  happiness  danced  o'er  his  mind. 
He  dreamt  of  his  home,  of  his  dear  native  bowers, 

And  pleasure  that  waited  on  life's  merry  morn  ; 
While  memor>T— stood  sideways,  half  covered  with  flowers, 

And  restored  every  rose,  but  secreted  its  thoru. 
Then  fancy,  her  magical  pinions  spread  wide, 

And  bade  the  young  dreamer  in  ecstasy  rise — 
Now  far,  far  behind  hirn,  the  green  waters  glide, 

And  the  cot  of  his  forefathers  blesses  his  eyes. 
The  jessamine  clambers  in  flower  o'er  the  thatch, 

And  the  swallow  sings  sweet,  from  her  nest  in  the  wall ; 
All  trembling  with  transport,  he  raises  the  latch, 

And  the  voices  of  loved  ones  reply  to  his  call. 
A  father  bends  o'er  him,  with  looks  of  delight, 

His  cheek  is  impearled,  with  a  mother's  warm  tear, 
And  the  lips  of  the  boy,  in  a  love-kiss  unite, 

With  the  lips  of  the  maid,  whom  his  bosom  holds  dear. 
The  heart  of  the  sleeper  beats  high  in  his  breast, 

Joy  quickens  his  pulse— all  his  hardships  seem  o'er, 
And  a  murmur  of  happiness  steals  through  his  rest — 

"  0  God,  thou  hast  blessed  me— I  ask  for  ?io  more,11 
Ah,  what  is  that  flame  which  now  bursts  on  his  eye ! 

Ah,  what  is  that  sound,  which  now  larums  his  ear ! 
Tistlie  lightning's  red  glare,  painting  hell  on  the  sky! 

'Tis  the  crash  of  the  thunder,  the  groan  of  the  sphere  ! 
He  springs  from  his  hammock — he  flies  to  the  deck, 

Amazement  confronts  him  with  images  dire — 
Wild  winds,  and  waves  drive  the  vessel  a  wreck — 

The  masts  fly  in  splinters — the  shrouds  are  on  lire  ! 
Like  mountains,  the  billows  tremendously  swell- 
In  vain  the  lost  wretch  calls  on  Mary  to  save  j 
Unseen  hands  of  spirits  are  wringing  his  knell, 

And  the  death-angel  flaps  his  broad  wing  o'er  the  wave  ! 
Oh  !  sailor  hoy,  woe  to  thy  dream  of  delight ! 

In  darkness  dissolves  the  gay  frost-work  of  bliss — 
Where  now  is  the  picture  that  fancy  touched  bright, 

Thy  parents'  fond  pressure,  and  love's  honeyed  kiss ! 
Oh !  sailor  boy !  sailor  boy  !  never  again 

Shall  home,  love,  or  kindred,  thy  wishes  repay  ; 
Unblessed,  and  unhonored,  down  deep  in  the  main, 

Full  many  a  score  fathom,  thy  frame  shall  decay. 
No  tomb  shall  e'er  plead  to  remembrance  for  thee, 

Or  redeem  form,  or  frame,  from  the  merciless  surge  J 
But  the  white  foam  of  waves  shall  thy  winding-sheet  be, 

And  winds,  in  the  midnight  of  winter,  thy  dirge. 
On  beds  of  green  sea-flower,  thy  limbs  shall  be  laid  j 

Around  thy  white  bones,  the  red  coral  shall  grow  j 
Of  thy  fair  yellow  locks,  threads  of  amber  be  made, 

And  every  part  suit  to  thy  mansion  below. 
Days,  months,  years,  and  ages,  shall  circle  away, 

And  the  vast  waters  over  thy  body  shall  roll- 
Earth  loses  thy  pattern  forever,  and  aye — 

Oh  !  sailor  boy  !  sailor  boy  !  peace  to  thy  soul.— Diniond. 

Time  axd  its  Changes.  Reformation  is 
a  work  of  time.  A  national  taste,  however 
wrong  it  may  be,  cannot  be  totally  changed 
at  once  ;  we  must  yield  a  little  to  the  prepos- 
session, which  has  taken  hold  on  the  mind, 
and  we  may  then  bring  people  to  adopt  what 
would  offend  them,  if  endeavored  to  be  intro- 
duced by  violence. 

What's  fame?  a  fancied  life  in  other's  breath, 
A  thing  beyond  us,  e'en  before  our  death. 
All  fame  is  foreign,  but  of  true  desert, 
Plays  round  the  head,  but  comes  not  to  the  heart; 
One  self-approving  hour,  whole  years  outweighs 
Of  stupid  starers,  and  of  loud  liussas  : 
And  more  true  joy,  Marcellus— cxil'd,  feels, 
Than  Cesar,  with  a  senate  at  his  heels. 
Mind,  not  money— makes  the  man, 


635.      CHILD    HAROLD. — CANTO   IV. 

Oh !  that  the  desert— were  my  dwelling  place, 

With  one  fair  spirit— for  my  minister, 

That  I  might  all  forget  the  human  race, 

And  hating  no  one,  love  but  only  her  I 

Ye  elements  ! — in  whose  ennobling  stir, 

I  feel  myself  exalted— Can  ye  not 

Accord  me  such  a  being  ?    Do  I  err 

In  deeming  such — inhabit  many  a  spot ! 
Though  with  them  to  converse,  can  rarely  be  our  lot. 

There  is  a  pleasure— in  the  pathless  woods, 

There  is  a  rapture — on  the  lonely  shore, 

There  is  society  where  none  intrudes, 

By  the  deep  sea,  and  music  in  its  roar: 

I  love  not  man  the  less,  but  nature  more, 

From  these  our  interviews,  in  which  I  steal 

From  all  I  may  be,  or  have  been  before, 

To  mingle — with  the  Universe,  and  feel 
What  I  can  ne'er  express,  yet  cannot  all  conceal. 

Roll  on,  thou  deep,  and  dark  blue  ocean — roll ! 

Ten  thousand  fleets  sweep  over  thee  in  vain; 

Man  marks  the  earth  with  ruin— his  control 

Stops  with  the  shore ; — upon  the  watery  plain 

The  wrecks  are  all  thy  deed,  nor  doth  remain 

A  shadow  of  man's  ravage,  save  his  own ; 

When  for  a  moment,  like  a  drop  of  rain, 

He  sinks  into  thy  depths,  with  bubbling  groan, 
Without  a  grave,  unknelled,  unco  (fined,  and  unknown. 

The  armaments  which  thunderstrike  the  walls 

Of  rock-built  cities,  bidding  nations  quake, 

And  monarchs  tremble,  in  their  capitals, 

The  oak  leviathans,  whose  huge  ribs  make 

Their  clay  creator,  the  vain  title  take — 

Of  lord  of  thee,  and  arbiter  of  war ! 

These  are  thy  toys,  and,  as  the  snowy  flake, 

They  melt  into  thy  yeast  of  waves,  which  mar 
Alike,  the  Armada's  pride,  or  spoils  of  Trafalgar. 

Thy  shores  are  empires,  changed  in  all  save  thee— 

Assyria,  Greece,  Rome,  Carthage,  what  are  they  ? 

Thy  waters  wasted  them,  while  they  were  free, 

And  many  a  tyrant  since  ;  their  shores  obey 

The  stranger,  slave,  or  savage ;  their  decay 

Has  dried  up  realms  to  deserts  : — not  so  thou— 

Unchangeable,  save  to  thy  wild  waves'  play — 

Time  writes  no  wrinkle  on  thine  azure  brow — 
Such  as  creation's  dawn  beheld,  thou  rollest  now. 

Thou  glorious  mirror,  where  the  Almighty's  form 

Glasses  itself  in  tempests  ;  in  all  time, 

(Calm,  or  convulsed,  in  breeze,  or  gale,  or  storm, 

Icing  the  pole,  or  in  the  torrid  clime, 

Dark-heaving, ) — boundless,  endless,  and  sublime— 

The  image  of  Eternity — the  throne 

Of  the  Invisible  j  even  from  out  thy  slime 

The  monsters  of  the  deep  are  made  !  each  zone 
Obeys  theej  thou  goest  forth,  dread,  fathomless,  alone. 

And  I  have  loved  thee,  Ocean  !  and  my  joy 

Of  youthful  sports  was  on  thy  breast  to  be 

Borne  like  the  bubbles,  onward  ;  from  a  boy, 

I  wantoned  with  thy  breakers — they  to  me 

Were  a  delight;  and  if  the  freshening  sea 

Made  them  a  terror — 'twas  a  pleasing  fear, 

For  I  was,  as  it  were,  a  child  of  thee, 

And  trusted  to  thy  billows  far  and  near, 
And  laid  my  hand  upon  thy  mane — as  I  do  here. 

In  the  dreams  of  delight,  which  with  ardor  we 
Oft  the  phantom  of  sorrow  appears  ;        [seek, 
And  the  roses  of  pleasure,  which  bloom  on  your 
Must  be  steeped  in  the  dew  of  your  tears,  [cheek, 
The  aged  man,  that  coffers  up  his  gold,  [fits, 

Is  plaga'd  with  cramps,  and  gouts,  and  painful 
And  scarce  hath  eyes,  his  treasure  to  behold, 
But  still,  like  pining  Tantalus,  he  sits, 
And  useless  bans  the  harvest  of  his  wits, 
Having  no  other  pleasure  of  his  gain, 
Hut  torment,  that  it  cannot  cure  his  pain. 
To  err — is  human  :  to  forgive— divine. 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


263 


636.  Patriotic  Thii'mph.  The  citizens 
of  America — celebrate  Uv.it  day,  which  gave 
birth  to  their  liberties.  The  recollection  of 
this  event,  replete  with  consequences  so  be- 
neficiaJ  to  mankind,  swells  every  heart  with 
joy,  and  (ills  every  tongue  with  praise.  We 
celebrate,  not  the  sanguinary  exploits  of  a 
tyrant,  to  subjugate,  and  enslav< — millions 
of  his  fellow-creatures;  wo  celebrate,  neither 
the  birth,  nor  the  coronation,  of  that  phantom, 
styled  a  king;  but,  the  resurrection  of  liberty, 
the  emancipation  of  mankind,  the  regenera- 
tion of  the  world.  These  are  the  sources  of 
our  joy,  these  the  causes  of  our  triumph.  We 
pay  no  homage  at  the  tomb  of  kings,  to  sub- 
fime  our  feelings — we  trace  no  line  of  illus- 
trious ancestors,  to  support  our  dignity — we 
recur  to  no  usages  sanctioned  by  the  autho- 
rity of  the  great,  to  protect  our  rejoicing; 
no,  we  love  liberty,  we  glory  in  the  rights  of 
men,  we  glory  in  independence.  On  what- 
ever part  of  God's  creation  a  human  form 
pines  under  chains,  there,  Americans  drop 
their  tears. 

A  dark  cloud  once  shaded  this  beautiful 
quarter  of  the  globe.  Consternation,  for 
awhile,  agitated  the  hearts  of  the  inhabitants. 
War  desolated  our  fields,  and  buried  our  vales 
in  blood.  Hut  the  dayspring  from  on  high 
soon  opened  upon  us  its  glittering  portals. 
The  angel  of  liberty  descending,  dropped  on 
Washington's  brow,  the  wreath  of  victory, 
and  stamped  on  American  freedom,  the  seal 
of  omnipotence.  The  darkness  is  past,  and 
the  true  light  now  shines — to  enliven,  and  re- 
joice mankind.  We  tread  a  new  earth,  in 
which  dwelleth  righteousness;  and  view  a 
new  heaven,  flaming  with  inextinguishable 
stars.  Our  feet  will  no  more  descend  into  the 
vale  of  oppressions;  our  shoulders  will  no 
more  bend — under  the  weight  of  a  foreign 
domination,  as  cruel,  as  it  was  unjust.  Well 
may  we  rejoice — at  the  return  of  this  slorious 
annivers  try  ;  a  day  dear  to  every  American ; 
a  day — to  be  had  in  everlasting  remembrance; 
a  day,  whose  litcht  circulates  joy — through 
the  hearts  of  all  republicans,  and  terror 
through  the  hearts  of  all  tyrants. — Maxy. 

C3  7.     TIT  for  tat:  coquetry  punished. 

Ellen  was  fair,  and  kaew  it  too, 

As  other  village  beauties  do, 
Whose  mirrors — never  lie; 

Secure  of  any  swain  she  chose, 

She  smiled  on  half  a  dozen  beaux, 

And,  reckless  of  a  lover's  woes, 

She  cheated  these,  and  taunted  those ; 

"  For  how  could  any  one  suppose 
A  clown  could  take  her  eye  ?" 

But  whispers  through  the  village  ran, 
That  Edgar  was  the  happy  man, 

The  maid  designed  to  bless; 
For,  wheresover  moved  the  fair, 
The  youth  was,  like  her  shadow,  there, 
And  rumor— boldly  match'd  the  pair, 

For  village  folks  will  guess. 

Edgar  did  love,  hut  still  delay'd 
To  make  confession  to  the  maid. 

So  bashful  was  the  youth  ; 
But  let  the  flame  in  secret  burn, 
Certain  of  meeting  a  return. 
When,  liein  his  lips,  the  fair  should  learn, 

Oincially,  the  truth. 


At  length,  one  morn,  to  taste  the  air, 
The  youth  and  maid,  in  one  horse  chair, 

A  long  excursion  took. 
Edgar  had  nerved  his  bashful  heart, 
The  sweet  confession  to  impart, 
For  ah !  suspense  had  caused  a  smart, 

He  could  no  longer  brook. 
lie  drove,  nor  slackened  once,  his  reins, 
Till  Hempstead's  wide  extended  plains 

Seenvd  join'd  to  skies  above  : 
Nor  house,  nor  tree,  nor  shrub  was  near, 
The  rude  and  dreary  scene  to  cheer, 
Nor  soul  within  ten  miles  to  hear — 
And  still,  poor  Edgar's  silly  fear, 

Forbade  to  speak  of  love. 
At  last,  one  desperate  effort  broke 
The  bashful  spell,  and  Edgar  spoke, 

With  most  persuasive  tone ; 
Recounted  past  attendance  o'er, 
And  then,  by  all  that's  lovely,  swore, 
That  he  would  love,  for  evermore, 

If  she  'd  become  his  own. 
The  maid,  in  silence,  heard  his  prayer, 
Then,  with  a  most  provoking  air, 

She,  tittered  in  his  face; 
And  said,  "  'Tis  time  for  you  to  know, 
A  lively  girl  must  have  a  beau, 
Just  like  a  reticule — for  show  ; 
And  at  her  nod  to  come,  and  go — 

But  he  should  know  his  place. 
Your  penetration  must  be  dull, 
To  let  a  hope  within  your  skull 

Of  matrimony  spring. 
Your  wife!  ha,  ha!  upon  my  word, 
The  thought  is  laughably  absurd, 
As  anything  I  ever  heard — 

I  never  dream'd  of  such  a  thing." 
The  lover  sudden  dropp'd  his  rein, 
Now  on  the  centre  of  the  plain — 

"  The  linch-pin's  out !"  he  cried  ; 
Be  pleased,  one  moment,  to  alight, 
Till  I  can  set  the  matter  right, 

That  we  may  safely  ride." 
He  said,  and  handed  out  the  fair — 
Then  laughing,  crack'd  his  whip  in  air, 
And  wheeling  round  his  horse  and  chair, 
Exclaim'd,  "  Adieu,  I  leave  you  there 

In  solitude  to  roam." 
"  What  mean  you,  sir!"  the  maiden  cried, 
"  Did  you  invite  me  out  to  ride. 
To  leave  me  here,  without  a  guide? 

Nay,  stop,  and  take  me  home." 
"  What!  take  you  home!"  exclaim'd  the  beau, 
"  Indeed,  my  dear,  I'd  like  to  know 
How  such  a  hopeless  wish  could  grow, 

Or  in  your  bosom  spring.  [word, 

What!  take  Ellen  home?  ha!  ha!  upon  my 
The  thought  is  laughably  absurd. 
As  anything  I  ever  heard ; 

I  never  dream'd  of  such  a  thing!" 

Man,  always  prosperous,  would  be  giddy 
and  insolent;  always  afflicted — would  be  sul- 
len, or  despondent.  Hopes  and  fears,  joy  and 
soitow,  are,  therefore,  so  blended  in  his  life,  as 
both  to  give  room  for  worldly  pursuits,  and  to 
recall  the  admonitions  of  conscience. 


264 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


63S.  Recitations  instead  of  Thea- 
tres. In  its  present  state,  the  theatre — de- 
serves no  encouragement.  It  has  nourished 
intemperance,  and  all  vice.  In  saying  this, 
I  do  not  say  that  the  amusement  is  radically, 
essentially  evil.  I  can  conceive  of  a  theatre, 
which  would  be  the  noblest  of  all  amuse- 
ments, and  would  take  a  high  rank,  among 
the  means  of  refining  the  taste,  and  elevating 
the  character  of  a  people.  The  deep  woes, 
the  mighty,  and  terrible  passions,  and  the 
sublime  emotions — of  genuine  tragedy,  are 
fitted  to  thrill  us  with  human  sympathies, 
with  profound  interest  in  our  nature,  with  a 
consciousness  of  what  man  can  do,  and  dare, 
and  sutler,  with  an  awed  feeling  of  the  fearful 
mysteries  of  life.  The  soul  of  the  spectator 
is  stirred  from  its  depths;  and  the  lethargy, 
in  which  so  many  live,  is  roused,  at  least  for 
a  time,  to  some  intenseness  of  thought,  and 
sensibility.  The  drama  answers  a  high  pur- 
pose, when  it  places  us  in  the  presence  of  the 
most  solemn,  and  striking  event  of  human 
history,  and  lays  bare  to  us  the  human  heart, 
in  its  most  powerful,  appalling,  glorious 
workings.  But  how  little  does  the  theatre 
accomplish  its  end  !  How  often  is  it  disgra- 
ced, by  monstrous  distortions  of  human  na- 
ture, and  still  more  disgraced  by  profaneness, 
coarseness,  indelicacy,  low  wit,  such  as  no 
woman,  worthy  of  the  name,  can  hear  with- 
out a  blush,  and  no  man  can  take  pleasure 
in — without  self-degradation.  Is  it  possible, 
that  a  christian,  and  a  refined  people,  can  re- 
sort to  theatres,  where  exhibitions  of  danc- 
ing are  given,  fit  only  for  brothels,  and  where 
the  most  licentious  class  in  the  community 
throng,  unconcealed,  to  tempt,  and  destroy  ! 
That  the  theatre  should  be  suffered  to  exist, 
in  its  present  degradation,  is  a  reproach  to 
the  community.  Were  it  to  fall,  a  better  dra- 
ma might  spring  up  in  its  place.  In  the 
meantime,  is  there  not  an  amusement,  hav- 
ing an  affinity  with  the  drama,  which  might 
be  usefully  introduced  among  us]  I  mean, 
Recitations.  A  work  of  genius,  recited  by  a 
man  of  fine  taste,  enthusiasm,  and  powers  of 
elocution,  is  a  very  pure,  and  high  gratifica- 
tion. Were  this  art  cultivated,  and  encour- 
aged, great  numbers,  now  insensible  to  the 
most  beautiful  compositions,  might  be  waked 
up  to  their  excellence,  and  power.  It  is  not 
easy  to  conceive  of  a  more  effectual  way,  of 
spreading  a  refined  taste  through  a  commu- 
nity. The  drama,  undoubtedly,  appeals  more 
strongly  to  the  passions  than  recitation;  but 
the  latter  brings  out  the  meaning  of  the  author 
more.  Shakspeare,  worthily  recited,  would  be 
better  understood  than  on  the  stage.  Then,  in 
recitation,  we  escape  the  weariness  of  listen- 
ing to  poor  performers ;  who,  after  all,  fill  up 
1  lost  ni  the  time  at  the  theatre.  Recitations, 
sufficiently  varied,  so  as  to  include  pieces  of 
chaste  wit,  as  well  of  pathos,  beauty  and 
sublimity,  is  adapted  to  our  present  intellect- 
ual progress,  as  much  as  the  drama  falls  be- 
low it.  Should  this  exhibition  be  introduced 
among  us  successfully,  the  result  would  be, 
that  the  power  of  recitation  would  be  exten- 
sively called  forth,  and  this  would  be  added 
to  our  social,  and  domestic  pleasures. 

Thou  knowesi  but  little, 
If'tliou  dost  think  true  virtue — is  confined 
To  clim<-s,or  systems;  no,  it  flows  spontaneous, 
Like  life's  warm  stream,  throughout  the  whole  cre- 
And  beats  the  pulse  of  every  healthful  heart,  [ation, 


639.   WATERLOO  j    THE   BALL   AND    BATTLE. 

There  was  a  sound  of  revelry — by  night, 
And  Belgium's  capital — had  gathered  then 
Her  beauty,  and  her  chivalry;  and  bright 
The  lamps  shone  o'er  fair  women,  and  brave  men 
A  thousand  hearts  beat  happily ;  and  when 
Music  arose,  with  its  voluptuous  swell, 
Soft  eyes  looked  love,  to  eyes,  which  spake  again, 
And  all  went  merry  as  a  marriage-bell ;     [knell ! 
But  hush !  hark  !  a  deep  sound  strikes  like  a  rising 
Did  ye  not  hear  it  1 — No ;  'twas  but  the  wind, 
Or  the  car,  rattling  o*er  the  stony  street : 
On  with  the  dance !  let  joy  be  unconfined ; 
No  sleep  till  morn,  when  youth  and  pleasure  meet, 
To  chase  the  glowing  hours,  with  flying  feet — 
But  hark !  That  heavy  sound  breaks  in  once  more, 
As  if  the  clouds — its  echo  would  repeat ; 
And  nearer,  clearer,  deadlier  than  before !  [roar ! 
Arm!    arm!   it  is — it  is — the   cannon's   opening 
Ah !  then  and  there  was  hurrying  to  and  fro, 
And  gathering  tears,  and  tremblings  of  distress, 
And  cheeks  all  pale,  which  but  an  hour  ago 
Blushed — at  the  praise  of  their  own  loveliness : 
And  there  were  sudden  partings,  such  as  press 
The  life  from  out  young  hearts,  and  choking  sighs, 
Which  ne'er  might  be  repeated;  for  who  could 
If  ever  more  should  meet,  those  mutual  eyes,  [guess, 
Since  upon  night,   so   sweet,  such  awful  morn 

could  rise  ? 
And  there  was  mounting  in  hot  haste  ;  the  steed, 
The  mustering  squadron,  and  the  clattering  car, 
Went  pouring  forward  with  impetuous  speed, 
And  swiftly  forming  in  the  ranks  of  war ; 
And  the  deep  thunder,  peal  on  peal,  afar; 
And  near,  the  beat  of  the  alarming  drum, 
Roused  up  the  soldier,  ere  the  morning  star ; 
While  thronged  the  citizens,  with  terror  dumb, 
Or  whispering  with  white  lips — "The  foe!  they 

come !  they  come  !" 
And  Ardennes  waves  above  them  her  green  leaves, 
Dewy  with  nature's  tear-drops,  as  they  pass, 
Grieving,  if  aught  inanimate  e'er  grieves, 
Over  the  unreturning  brave, — alas  ! 
Ere  evening,  to  be  trodden  like  the  grass, 
Which  now  beneath  them,  but  above  shall  grow, 
In  its  next  verdure,  when  this  fiery  mass 
Of  living  valor,  rolling  on  the  foe,  [and  low. 

And  burning  with  high  hope,  shall  moulder  cold, 
Last  noon — beheld  them,  full  of  lusty  life, 
Last  eve — in  beauty's  circle,  proudly  gay, 
The  midnight — brought  the  signal-sound  of  strife, 
The  morn — the  marshaling  in  arms, — the  day, 
Battle's  magnificently-stern  array!  [rent, 

The  thunder-clouds  close  o'er  it,  which,  when, 
The  earth  is  covered  thick  with  other  clay, 
Which  her  own  clay  shall  cover,  heaped,  and  pent, 
Rider  and  horse, — friend,  foe, — in  one  red  burial 

blent !  

What's  in  the  air? 
Some  subtle  spirit — runs  through  all  my  veins; 
Hope — seems  to  ride,  this  morning,  on  the  wind, 

And  outshines  the  sun.  

When  things  go  wrong,  each  fool  presumes  t'  ad- 
And  if  more  happy,  thinks  himelf  more  wise:  [vise, 
All  wretchedly  deplore  the  present  state ; 
And  that  advice  seems  best,  which  comes  too  late. 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


265 


640*      FEVER  DREAM. 
A  fever — scorched  my  body,  fired  my  brain! 
Like  lava,  in  Vesuvius,  boiled  my  blood, 
Within  the  glowing  caverns  of  my  heart 
I  raged  with  thirst,  and  begged  a  cold,  clear  draught 
Of  f  luntiin  water. — Twas  with  tears,  denied. 
I  drank  a  nauseous  febrifuge,  and  slept ; 
But  rested  not — harassed  with  horrid  dreams, 
Of  burning  deserts,  and  of  dusty  plains, 
Mountains,  disgorging  flames — forests  on  fire, 
Steam,  sunshine,  smoke,  and  boiling  lakes — 
Hills  of  hot  sand,  and  glowing  stones,  that  seemed 
Embers,  and  ashes,  of  a  burnt  up  world ! 

Thirst  raged  within  me.— I  sought  the  deepest  vale, 
And  called  on  all  the  rocks,  and  caves  for  water; — 
I  climbed  a  mountain,  and  from  cliff  to  cliff, 
Pursued  a  flying  cloud,  howling  for  water:— 
I  crushed  the  withered  herbs,  and  gnawed  dry  roots, 
Still  crying,  Water  !  water  I— While  the  cliffs  and  caves, 
In  horrid  mockery,  re-echoed  "  Water ! " 
Below  the  mountain,  gleamed  a  city,  red 
1  [fame,  upon  the  sandy  bank 

I  river. — "Soon,  oh  soon  !"  I  cried, 
Til  cool  my  burning  body  in  that  flood, 
And  quaff  my  fill.'*— I  ran— I  reached  the  shore. — 
The  river  was  dried  up.    Its  oozy  bed 
Was  dust ;  and  on  its  arid  rocks,  I  saw 
The  scaly  myriads— fry  beneath  the  sun! 
When  rank  the  cliannel  deepest,  I  beheld 
A  stirring  multitude  of  human  forms, 
And  heard  a  faint,  wild,  lamentable  wail. 
Thither  I  sped,  and  joined  the  general  cry 
Of—"  water ! "    They  had  delved  a  spacious  pit, 
In  search  of  hidden  fountains — sad,  sad  sight ! 
I  saw  them  rend  the  rocks  up  in  their  rage 
With  mad  impatience,  calling  on  the  earth 
To  open,  and  yield  up  her  cooling  fountains. 

Meanwhile  the  skies,  on  which  they  dared  not  gaze, 
Stood  o'er  them  like  a  canopy  of  brass — 
Undimmed  by  moisture.    The  red  dog-star  raged, 
And  Phoebus,  from  the  house  of  Virgo,  shot 
His  scorching  shafts.    The  thirsty  multitude 
Grew  still  more  frantic.    Those,  who  dug  the  earth, 
Fell  lifeless  on  the  rocks,  they  strained  to  upheave, 
And  filled  again,  with  Iheir  own  carcasses, 
The  pits  they  made — undoing  their  own  work ! 
Despair,  at  length,  drove  out  the  laborers, 
At  sight  of  whom,  a  general  groan— announced 
The  death  of  hope.    Ah !  now,  no  more  was  heard 
The  cry  of  u  water ! "    To  the  city  next, 
Howling,  we  ran— all  hurrying  without  aim: — 
Thence  to  the  woods.     The  baked  plain  gaped  for  moisture, 
And  from  its  arid  breast  heaved  smoke,  that  seemed 
The  breath  of  furnace— fierce,  volcanic  fire, 
Or  hot  monsoon,  that  raises  Syrian  sands 
To  clouds.    Amid  the  forests,  we  espied 
A  faint,  and  bleating  herd.    SuJ.!en,  a  shrill, 
AnJ  iinmd  shout  arose  of—**  Blood  I  blood  \  blood  ! " 
We  tell  lipou  them  with  the  tiger's  thirst, 
And  drank  up  all  the  blood,  that  was  not  human! 
We  were  dyed  in  blood  !    Despair  returned ; 
The  cry  of  blood  was  hushed,  and  dumb  confusion  reigned. 
Even  then,  when  hope  was  dead ! — past  hope— 
I  heard  a  laugh !  and  saw  a  wretched  man 
Rip  his  own  veins,  and,  bleedin?,  drink 
With  ea<er  joy.    The  example  seized  on  all  :— 
Each  fell  upon  himself,  tearing  his  veins, 
Fiercely,  in  search  of  blood !    And  some  there  were, 
Who,  having  emptied  their  own  veius,  did  seize 
Upon  their  neighbor's  arms,  and  slew  them  for  their  blood— 
Oh!  happy  then,  were  mothers,  who  gave  suck. 
They  dashed  their  little  infants  from  their  breasts, 
And  their  shrunk  bosoms  tortured,  to  extract 
The  balmy  juice,  oh!  exquisitely  sweet 
To  their  parched  tongues !    >Tis  done !— now  all  is  gone ! 
Blood,  water,  and  the  bosom's  nectar, — all ! 

"Rend,  oh  !  ye  lightnings!  the  sealed  firmament, 
And  flood  a  burning  world. — Rain !  rain !  pour !  pour  1 
Open— ye  windows  of  high  heaven !  and  pour 
The  mighty  deluge !    Let  us  drown,  and  drink 

34  z 


Luxurious  death !    Ye  earthquakes,  split  the  globe, 
The  solid,  rock-ribbed  globe ! — and  lay  all  bare 
Its  subterranean  rivers,  and  fresh  seas  ! " 

Thus  raged  the  multitude.    And  many  fell 
In  fierce  convulsions  J — many  slew  themselves. 
And  now,  I  saw  the  city  all  in  flames — 
The  forest  burning— and  the  very  earth  on  fire ! 
I  saw  the  mountains  open  with  a  roar, 
Loud  as  the  seven  apocalyptic  thunders, 
And  seas  of  lava  rolling  headlong  down, 
Through  crackling  forests  fierce,  and  hot  as  hell, 

Down  to  the  plain — I  turned  to  fly, and  waked ! — Hartmj. 

64:1.       KOBE   AND   THE   MAN. 

Kind  friends,  at  your  call,  I'm  come  here  to  sing; 

Or  rather  to  talk  of  my  woes; 
Though  small 's  the  delight  to  you  I  can  bring 

The  subject's  concerning  my  nose. 
Some  noses  are  large,  and  others  are  small, 

For  nature's  vagaries  are  such, 
To  some  folks,  I'm  told,  she  gives  no  nose  at  all, 

But  to  me  she  has  given  too  much. 
Oh,  dear!  lauks-a-daisy  me  ! 
My  cause  of  complaint,  and  the  worst  of  my  woes, 
Is,  because  I  have  got  such  a  shocking  long  nose. 
Some  insult  or  other,  each  day  I  do  meet, 

And  by  joking,  my  friends  are  all  foes; 
And  the  boys  every  day,  as  I  go  thro'  the  street, 

All  bellow  out — :t  There  goes  a  nose!" 
A  woman,  with  matches  one  day,  I  came  near, 

Who,  just  as  I  tried  to  get  by  her, 
Shoved  me  rudely  aside,  and  ask'd,  with  a  leer, 

If  I  wanted  to  set  her  o'ftre? 
Oh,  dear!  lauks-a-daisy  me  ! 
Each  rascal,  each  day,  some  inuendo  throws, 
As,  my  nose  is  n't  mine,  I  belongs  to  my  nose. 
I  once  went  a  courting  a  wealthy  old  maid, 

To  be  married  we  were,  the  nest  day; 
But  an  accident  happened,  the  marriage  delay'd, 

My  nose  got  too  much  in  the  way. 
For  the  night  before  marriage,  entrane'd  with  my 

In  love,  e'er  some  torment  occurs —  [bliss, 

I  screw'd  up  my  lips,  just  to  give  her  a  kiss, 

My  nose  slipp'd,  and  rubb'd  against  Act's  ! 
Oh,  dear !  lauks-a-daisy  me ! 
The  ring  that  I  gave,  at  my  head  soon  she  throws, 
And  another  tipp'd  me,  'twas  a  w-ring  on  the  nose. 
Like  a  porter  all  day,  with  fatigue  fit  to  crack, 

I'm  seeking  for  rest,  at  each  place, 
Or.  like  pilgrim  of  old.  with  his  load  at  his  back. 

Only  my  load  I  bear  on  my  face. 
I  can't  get  a  wife,  though  each  hour  hard  I  try, 

The  girls  they  all  blush,  like  a  rose; 
"I'm  afraid  to  /tare  you!"  when  I  ask  'em  for  why? 

Because,  you  have  got  such  a  nose. 
Oh,  dear !  lauks-a-daisy  me ! 
Their  cause  of  refusal  I  cannot  suppose, 
They  all  like  the  man,  but  they  say — blow  his  nose.' 
Like  a  large  joint  of  meat,  before  a  small  fire, 

They  say  that  my  proboscis  hangs — 
Or,  to  a  brass  knocker,  nought  there  can  be  nigher, 

And  in  length,  it  a  pump-handle  bangs. 
A  wag,  you  must  know,  just  by  way  of  a  wipe, 

Said,  with  a  grin  on  his  face,  t'other  night, 
As  he,  from  his  pocket,  was  pulling  a  pipe, 

"  At  your  nose  will  you  give  me  a  light?" 
Oh,  dear!  lauks-a-daisy  me! 
If  I  ask  any  one  my  way  to  disclose, 
If  I  lose  it — they  answer,  why,  follow  your  nose. 


266 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


642.  Nobility  of  Labor.  Why,  in  the 
great  scale  of  things,  is  labor  ordained  for  us  1 
Easily,  had  it  so  pleased  the  great  Ordainer, 
might  it  have  been  dispensed  with.  The 
world  itself,  might  have  been  a  mighty  ma- 
chinery, for  producing  all  that  man  wants. 
Houses  might  have  risen  like  an  exhalation, 
"With  the  sound 

Of  dulcet  symphonies,  and  voices  sweet, 

Built  like  a  temple." 
Gorgeous  furniture  might  have  been  placed 
in  them,  and  soft  couches  and  luxurious  ban- 
quets spread,  by  hands  unseen ;  and  man, 
clothed  with  fabrics  of  nature's  weaving, 
rather  than  with  imperial  purple,  might  have 
been  sent  to  disport  himself  in  those  Elysian 
palaces. 

"  Fair  scene!"  I  imagine  you  are  saying  : 
"  fortunate  for  us  had  it  been  the  scene  or- 
dained for  human  lite!"  But  where,  then, 
had  been  human  energy,  perseverance,  pa- 
tience, virtue,  heroism  ?  Cut  off  labor  with 
one  blow,  from  the  world,  and  mankind  had 
sunk  to  a  crowd  of  Asiatic  voluptuaries. 

No — it  had  not  been  fortunate!  Better, 
that  the  earth  be  given  to  man  as  a  dark  mass, 
whereupon  to  labor.  Better,  that  rude,  and  un- 
sightly materials  be  provided  in  the  ore-bed, 
and  in  the  forest,  for  him  to  fashion  in  splen- 
dor and  beauty.  Better  I  say,  not  because 
of  that  splendor,  and  beauty,  but,  because 
the  act  of  creating  them,  is  better  than  the 
things  themselves;  because  exertion  is  nobler 
than  enjoyment ;  because  the  laborer  is  greater 
and  more  worthy  of  honor,  than  the  idler. 

I  call  upon  those  whom  I  address,  to  stand 
up  for  the  nobility  of  labor.  It  is  heaven's 
great  ordinance  for  human  improvement. 
Let  not  the  great  ordinance  be  broken  down. 
What  do  I  say  1  It  is  broken  down;  and  it 
has  been  broken  down  for  ages.  Let  it  then 
be  built  again ;  here,  if  any  where,  on  the 
shores  of  a  new  world — of  a  new  civilization. 

But  how,  it  may  be  asked,  is  it  broken 
down!  Do  not  men  toil'?  it  may  be  said. 
They  do  indeed  toil,  but  they  too  generally 
do,  because  they  must.  Many  submit  to  it, 
as  in  some  sort,  a  degrading  necessity ;  and 
they  desire  nothing  so  much  on  earth,  as  an 
escape  from  it.  They  fulfil  the  great  law  of 
labor  in  the  letter,  but  break  it  in  the  spirit. 
To  some  field  of  labor,  mental  or  manual, 
every  idler  should  hasten,  as  a  chosen,  covet- 
ed field  of  improvement. 

But  so  he  is  not  compelled  to  do,  under  the 
teachings  of  our  imperfect  civilization.  On 
the  contrary,  he  sits  down,  folds  his  hands, 
and  blesses  himself  in  idleness.  This  way  of 
thinking,  is  the  heritage  of  the  absurd  and 
unjust  feudal  system,  under  which  serfs  la- 
bored.and  gentlemen  spenttheir  lives  infight- 
ing and  feasting.  It  is  time  that  this  oppro- 
brium of  toil  were  done  away. 

Ashamed  to  toil"?  Ashamed  of  thy  dingy 
work-shop,  and  dusty  labor-field  ;  of  thy  hard 
hand,  scarred  with  service  more  honorable 
than  that  of  war ;  of  thy  soiled  and  weather- 
stained  garments,  on  which  mother  nature  has 
embroidered  mist, sun  and  rain.  Are  and  steam, 
her  own  heraldic  honors  1  Ashamed  of  those 
tokens,  and  titles,  and  envious  of  the  flaunt- 
ing robes  of  imbecile  idleness,  and  vanity'! 
It  is  treason  to  nature,  it  is  impiety  to  heaven  ; 
it  is  breaking  heaven's  great  ordinance.  Toil, 
I  repeat — toil,  either  of  the  brain,  of  the  heart, 
or  of  the  hand,  is  the  only  true  manhood, — 
the  only  true  nobility ! — Dewey. 


04:3.      DAVID'S   LAMENT    OVER     ABSALOM. 

The  king — stood  still, 
Till  the  last  echo — died:  then,  throwing  off 
The  sack-cloth — from  his  brow,  and  laying  back 
The  pall — from  the  still  features  of  his  child, 
He  bowed  his  head  upon  him,  and  broke  forth 
In  the  resistless  eloquence  of  woe  : — 

"Alas!  my  noble  boy!  that  thou  shouldst  diet 

Thou,  who  wert  made  so  beautifully  fair  ! 
That  death — should  settle — in  thy  glorious  eye, 

And  leave  his  stillness  in  this  clustering  hair  ! 
How  could  he  mark  thee — for  the  silent  tomb, 

My  proud  boy,  Absalom! 
Cold  is  thy  brow,  my  son!  and  I  am  chill, 

As  to  my  bosom — I  have  tried  to  press  thee. 
How  was  I  wont — to  feel  my  pulses  thrill, 

Like  a  rich  harp-string,  yearning  to  caress  thee, 
And  hear  thy  sweet — 'my  father,'  from  these 

And  cold  lips,  Absalom !  [dumb, 

The  grave  hath  won  thee.     I  shall  hear  the  gush 

Of  music,  and  the  voices  of  the  young; 
And  life  will  pass  me — in  the  mantling  blush, 

And  the  dark  tresses — to  the  soft  winds  flung; 
But  thou — no  more,  with  thy  sweet  voice,  shall 

To  meet  me,  Absalom !  [come 

But,  oh !  when  I  am  stricken,  and  my  heart, 

Like  a  bruised  reed,  is  waiting  to  be  broken, 
How  will  its  love  for  thee,  as  I  depart,      [token  ! 

Yearn   for  thine  ear — to  drink  its  last — deep 
It  were  so  sweet,  amid  death's  gathering  gloom, 

So  see  thee,  Absalom  ! 
And  now — farewell !  'Tis  hard — to  give  thee  up, 

With  death — so  like  a  gentle  slumher  on  thee: 
And  thy  dark  sin  ! — oh !  I  could  drink  the  cup, 

If,  from  this  wo,  its  bitterness  had  won  thee. 
May  God  have  called  thee,  like  a  wanderer. 

My  erring  Absalom  V  [home, 

He  covered  up  his  face,  and  bowed  himself, 
A  moment,  on  his  child  ;  then,  giving  him 
A  look  of  melting  tenderness,  he  clasped 
His  hands,  convulsively,  as  if  in  prayer; 
And,  as  a  strength  were  given  him  of  God, 
He  rose  up,  calmly,  and  composed  the  pall, 
Firmly,  and  decently,  and  left  him  there, — 
As  if  his  rest — had  been  a  breathing  sleep.  Willis: 

The  theatre  was  from  the  very  first, 
The  favorite  haunt  of  sin  ;  though  honest  men, 
Some  very  honest,  wise  and  worthy  men, 
Maintained  it  might  be  turned  to  good  account : 
And  so  perhaps  it  might,  but  never  was. 
From  first— to  last — it  was  an  evil  place  : 
And  now — such  things  were  acted  there,  as  made 
The  devils  blush:  and,  from  the  neighborhood, 
Angels,  and  holy  men,  trembling,  retired: 
And  what  with  dreadful  aggravation— crowned 
This  dreary  time,  was — sin  against  the  light. 
All  men  knew  God,  and,  knowing,  disobe3'ed  ; 
And  gloried  to  insult  him — to  his  face. 

Look  round — the  habitable  world,  how  few — 
Know  their  own  good,  or,  knowing  it,  pursue! 
'Tis  all  men's  office — to  speak  patience — 
To  those  that  toil— under  a  load  of  sorrow. 
'This  the  first  sanction — nature — gave  to  man, 
Each  other  to  assist,  in  what  they  can 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


267 


644.      MARCO  BOZZARRIS. 

He  fell  in  an  attack  upon  the  Turkish  camp  at  Laspi,  the 
cite  of  the  ancient  Flatea,  August  20,  l>23,  and  expired  in  ilie  mo- 
ment of  victory.  His  lui  words  were— '•  To  die  for  liberty,  is  a 
pleasure,  and  not  a  . 

At  midnight. — in  his  guarded  tent, 

The  Turk — was  dreaming  of  the  hour, 
When  ( freece, — her  knee  in  suppliance  bent, 

Should  tremble— at  his  power. 
In  dreams,  through  camp — and  court,  he  bore 
The  trophies  of  a  conqueror ; 

In  dreams,  h  a  song  of  triumph  heard; 
Then,  wore  his  monarch's  signet  ring  : 
Then,  pressed  that  monarch's  throne, — a  king; 
As  wild  his  thoughts,  and  gay  of  wing, 

As  Eden's  garden  bird. 

At  midnight, — in  the  forest  shades, 

Bozzarris — ranged  his  Suliote  band, 
True — as  the  steel — of  their  tried  blades, 

Heroes — in  heart— ami  band. 
There,  had  the  Persian's  thousands  stood, 
There,  had  the  glad  earth — drunk  their  blood, 

On  old  Platea's  day; 
And  now,  there  breathed  that  haunted  air, 
The  sons — of  sires,  who  conquered  there, 
With  arm — to  strike,  and  soul — to  dare, 

As  quick,  as  far  as  they. 

An  hour  passed  on — the  Turk — awoke — 

That  bright  dream — was  his  last; 
He  woke — to  hear  his  sentries  shriek, 
"To  arms!  they  come  !  the  Greek!  the  Greek  !" 
He  woke — to  die,  'midst  flame,  and  smoke, 
And  shout,  and  groan,  and  sabre  stroke, 

And  death-shots — falling  thick  and  fast 
As  lightnings,  from  the  mountain  cloud; 
And  heard,  with  voice,  as  trumpet  loud, 

Bozzarris — cheer  his  band  : 
•'  Strike  !  till  the  last  armed  foe  expires ; 
Strike  !  for  your  altars,  and  your  fires; 
Strike !  for  the  green  graves  of  your  sires ; 

God — and  your  native  land !" 

They  fought,  like  brave  men,  long  and  well ; 

They  piled  that  ground — with  Moslem  slain; 
They  conquered — but,  Bozzarris  fell, 

Bleeding — at  every  vein. 
His  few  surviving  comrades  saw 
His  smile,  when  rang  the  proud — hurrah! 

And  the  red  field  was  won; 
Then  saw,  in  death,  his  eyelids  close 
Calmly,  as  to  a  night's  repose, 

Like  flowers — at  set  of  sun. 

Come  to  the  bridal  chamber, — Death ! 

Come  to  the  mother — when  she  feels, 
For  the  first  time,  her  first-born's  breath ; 

Come — when  the  blessed  seals. 
That  close  the  pestilence,  are  broke, 
And  crowded  cities — wail  its  stroke ; 
Come — in  consumption's  ghastly  form, 
The  earthquake  shock,  the  ocean  storm; 
Come,  when  the  heart  beats  high,  and  warm, 

With  banquet-song,  and  dance,  and  wine — 
And  thou  art  terrible!  the  tear. 
The  groan,  the  knell,  the  pall,  the  bier, 
And  all  we  know, — or  dream,  or  fear, 

Of  agony, — are  thine. 

But.  to  the  hero,  when  his  sword 

Has  won  the  battle  for  the  free, 
Thy  voice — sounds  like  a  prophet's  word, 
And,  in  its  hollow  tones,  are  heard — 

The  thanks  of  millions — yet  to  be. 
Bozzarris !  with  the  storied  brave. 

Greece  nurtured,  in  her  glory's  time, 
Rest  thee — there  is  no  prouder  grave, 

Even  in  her  own  proud  clime. 
We  tell  thy  doom — without  a  sigh  : 
For  thou  art  Freedom's  now,  and  Fame's — 
One  of  the  few,  the  immortal  names. 

That  were  not  born — to  die. — Hatteck. 


645.  MAID  OF  MALAHIDE. 
In  the  church  of  Malahide,  in  In  land,  ire  the  tomb  an!  effigy 
of  the  Lady  Maid  Flunkctt,  sister  of  the  first  Lord  Dunsanny,  of 
whom  it  is  recorded  that  "  she  was  maid,  wife,  and  widow  in  one 
ilv."  Hi  r  first  husliand,  Hussy,  Baron  of  Galtrim,  was  called 
from  the  altar  to  head  "a  hosting;  of  the  English  against  the 
i  was  brought  back  to  the  bridal  banquet  a  corpse,  upor 

the  shields  of  his  followers. 

The  dark-eyed  .Maid— of  Malahide, 

Her  silken  bodice  laced, 
And  on  her  brow. — with  virgin  pride, 

The  bridal  chaplet — placed. 
Her  heart — is  beating  high,  her  cheek 

Is  flushed — with  rosy  shame, 
As  laughing  bridemaids — slily  speak, 

The  gallant  bridegroom's  name. 
The  dark-eyed  Maid— of  Malahide— 

Before  the  altar — stands, 
And  Galtrim — claims  his  blushing  bride, 

From  pure — and  holy  hands: — 
But  hark !  what  fearful  sounds  are  those  ? 

"To  arms!  to  arms!"  they  cry; — 
The  bride's  sweet  cheek — no  longer  glows, 

Fear — sits  in  that  young  eye. 
The  gallants — all  are  mustering  now — 

The  bridegroom's  helm — is  on  : 
One  look, — upon  that  wretched  brow : 

One  kiss, — and  he  is  gone  ; — 
The  feast  is  spread, — but  many  a  knight, 

Who  should  have  graced  that  hall — 
Will  sleep — anon,  in  cold  moonlight, 

Beneath — a  gory  pall. 
The  garlands — bright  with  rainbow  dyes, 

In  gay  festoons — are  hung  ; 
The  starry  lamps — out-shine  the  skies, 

The  golden  harps  are  strung : 
But  she — the  moving  spring  of  all, 

Hath  sympathy — with  none 
That  meet  in  that  old  festive  hall ; — 

And  now — the  feast's  begun. 
Hark!  to  the  clang  of  arms!  is 'the. 

The  bridegroom  chief, — returned, — 
Crowned — with  the  wreath  of  victory 

By  his  good  weapon — earned  ? 
Victorious  bands — indeed — return. — 

But,  on  their  shields — they  bear — 
The  laurelled  chief. — and  melt — those  stern — 

At  that  young  bride's  despair. 
"  Take — take — the  roses  from  my  brow, 

The    jewels — from  my  waist ; 
I  have  no  need — of  such  things  now  :" 

And  then — her  cheek — she  placed — 
Close — to  his  dead — cold  cheek,  and  wept, — 

As  one  may  wildly  weep, 
When  the  last  hope, — the  heart  had  kept, 

Lies  buried — in  the  deep. 
Long  years  have  passed. — since  that  young 

Bewailed — her  widowed  doom :  [bride 

The  holy  walls— of  Malahide — 

Still — shrine  her  marble  tomb  : — 
And  sculpture  there — has  sought  to  prove, 

With  rude  essay — of  art, 
That  form — she  wore  in  life, — whose  love — 

Did  grace — her  woman's  heart. — Craicford. 
The  influence  of  example  —  is  a  terrible 
responsibility — on  the  shoulders  of  every  in- 
dividual. 


268 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


646.  Aaron  Burr  and  Beennerhas- 
sett.  Who,  then,  is  Aaron  Burr,  and  what 
the  part  which  he  has  borne  in  this  transac- 
tion !  He  is  its  author ;  its  projector ;  its  ac- 
tive executor.  Bold,  ardent,  restless,  and  as- 
piring, his  brain  conceived  it;  his  hand 
brought  it  into  action.  Beginning  his  opera- 
tions in  New  York,  he  associates  with  him, 
men,  whose  wealth  is  to  supply  the  neces- 
sary funds.  Possessed  of  the  mainspring, 
his  personal  labor  contrives  all  the  machine- 
ry. Pervading  the  continent  from  New-York 
to  New-Orleans,  he  draws  into  his  plan,  by 
every  allurement  which  he  can  contrive,  men 
of  all  ranks,  and  all  descriptions.  To  youth- 
ful ardor  he  presents  danger  and  glory ;  to 
ambition,  rank,  and  titles,  and  honors ;  to  av- 
arice, the  mines  of  Mexico.  To  each  person 
whom  he  addresses,  he  presents  the  object 
adapted  to  his  taste :  his  recruiting  officers  are 
appointed ;  men  are  engaged  throughout  the 
continent:  civil  life  is  indeed  quiet  upon  the 
surface ;  but  in  its  bosom  this  man  has  con- 
trived to  deposit  the  materials,  which,  with 
the  slighest  touch  of  his  match,  produces  an 
explosion,  to  shake  the  continent.  All  this 
his  restless  ambition  has  contrived  ;  and,  in 
the  autumn  of  1806,  he  goes  forth,  for  the  last 
time,  to  apply  this  match.  On  tliis  excur- 
sion he  meets  with  Blennerhassett. 

Who  is  Blennerhassett  1  A  native  of  Ire- 
land, a  man  of  letters,  who  fled  from  the 
storms  of  his  own  country  to  find  quiet  in  ours. 
His  history  shews,  that  war  is  not  the  natu- 
ral element  of  his  mind ;  if  it  had  been,  he 
would  never  have  exchanged  Ireland  for 
America.  So  far  is  an  army  from  furnishing 
the  society,  natural  and  proper  to  Mr.  Blen- 
nerhassett's  character,  that  on  his  arrival  in 
America,  he  retired,  even  from  the  popula- 
tion of  the  Atlantic  states,  and  sought  quiet, 
and  solitude,  in  the  bosom  of  our  western  for- 
ests. But  he  carried  with  him  taste,  and  sci- 
ence, and  wealth  ;  and  "  lo,  the  desert  smiled." 
Posse-sing  himself  of  a  beautiful  island  in 
the  Ohio,  he  rears  upon  it  a  palace,  and  dec- 
orates it  with  every  romantic  embellishment 
of  fancy.  A  shrubbery,  that  Shenstone  might 
have  envied,  blooms  around  him ;  music  that 
might  have  charmed  Calypso  and  her  nymphs, 
is  his  ;  an  extensive  library  spreads  its  treas- 
ures before  him;  a  philosophical  apparatus 
o;!ers  to  him  all  the  secrets,  and  mysteries  of 
nature;  peace,  tranquillity,  and  innocence 
shed  their  mingled  delights  around  him;  and, 
t  i  crown  the  enchantment  of  the  scene,  a 
wife,  who  is  said  to  be  lovely  even  beyond 
her  sex,  and  graced  with  every  accomplish- 
ment, that  can  render  it  irresistible,  had  bles- 
sed him  with  her  love,  and  made  him  the 
father  of  her  children.  The  evidence  would 
convince  you,  that  this  is  but  a  faint  picture 
Qf  the  real  life. 

In  the  midst  of  all  this  peace,  this  inno- 
and  this  tranquillity,  this  feast  of  the 
mind,  this  pure  banquet  of  the  heart — the 
ercomes — becomes — toturnthispar- 
adise — into  a  hell — yet  the  flowers  do  not 
wither  at  his  approach,  and  no  monitory 
shuddering,  through  the  bosom  of  their  un- 
fortunate possessor,  warns  him  of  the  ruin, 
that  is  coming  upon  him.  A  stranger  presents 
"himself.  Introduced  to  their  civilities,  by  the 
high  rank  which  he  had  lately  held  in  his 
country,  he  soon  finds  his  way  to  their  hearts, 
by  the  dignity,  and  elegance  of  his  demean- 
or, the  light  and  beauty  of  his  conversation, 


and  the  seductive,  and  fascinating  power  of 
his  address.  The  conquest  was  not  a  diffi- 
cult one.  Innocence  is  ever  simple,  and 
credulous;  conscious  of  no  design  itself,  it 
suspects  none  in  others ;  it  wears  no  guards 
before  its  breast :  every  door,  and  portal,  and 
avenue  of  the  heart  is  thrown  open,  and  all, 
who  choose  it,  enter.  Such,  was  the  state  of 
Eden,  when  the  serpent  entered  its  bowers. 
The  prisoner,  in  a  more  engaging  form,  wind- 
ing himself  into  the  open  and  unpracticed 
heart  of  the  unfortunate  Blennerhassett,  found 
but  little  difficulty,  in  changing  the  native 
character  of  that  heart,  and  the  objects  of  its 
affection.  By  degrees,  he  infuses  into  it  the 
poison  of  his  own  ambition;  he  breathes  into 
it  the  fire  of  his  own  courage ;  a  daring  and  des- 
perate thirst  for  glory  ;  an  ardor,  panting  for 
all  the  storm,  and  bustle,  and  hurricane  of  life. 
In  a  short  time,  the  whole  man  is  changed, 
and  every  object  of  his  former  delight  relin- 
quished. No  more  he  enjoys  the  tranquil 
scene ;  it  has  become  flat,  and  insipid  to  his 
taste ;  his  books  are  abandoned ;  his  retort, 
and  crucible,  are  thrown  aside ;  his  shrubbery 
in  vain  blooms,  and  breathes  its  fragrance  up- 
on the  air — he  likes  it  not ;  his  ear  no  longer 
drinks  the  rich  melody  of  music ;  it  longs  for 
the  trumpet's  clangor,  and  the  cannon's  roar; 
even  the  prattle  of  his  babes,  once  so  sweet, 
no  longer  affects  him ;  and  the  angel  smile  ot 
his  wife,  which  hitherto  touched  his  bosom 
with  ecstasy  so  unspeakable,  is  now  unfelt 
and  unseen.  Greater  objects  have  taken  pos- 
session of  his  soul — his  imagination  has  been 
dazzled  by  visions  of  diadems,  and  stars,  and 
garters,  and  titles  of  nobility :  he  has  been 
taught  to  burn  with  restless  emulation  at  the 
names  of  Cromwell,  Cesar,  and  Bonaparte. 
His  enchanted  island  is  destined  soon  to  re- 
lapse into  a  desert ;  and,  in  a  few  months, 
we  find  the  tender,  and  beautiful  partner  of 
his  bosom,  whom  he  lately  "  permitted  not 
the  winds  of"  summer  "to  visit  too  roughly," 
we  find  her  shivering,  at  midnight,  on  the 
winter  banks  of  the  Ohio,  and  mingling  her 
tears  with  the  torrents,  that  froze  as  they  fell. 
Yet,  this  unfortunate  man,  thus  deluded  from 
his  interest,  and  his  happiness — thus  seduced 
from  the  paths  of  innocence,  and  peace — thus 
confounded  in  the  toils,  which  were  deliber- 
ately spread  for  him,  and  overwhelmed  by 
the  mastering  spirit,  and  genius  of  another — 
this  man.  thus  ruined,  and  undone,  and  made 
to  play  a  subordinate  part  in  tiiis  grand  drama 
of  guilt  and  treason — tins  man  is  to  be  called 
the  principal  offender;  while  he,  by  whom  he 
was  thus  plunged,  and  steeped  in  misery,  is 
comparatively  innocent — a  mere  accessory. 
Sir,  neither  the  human  heart,  nor  the  human 
understanding  will  bear  a  perversion  so  mon- 
strous, and  absurd  ;  so  shocking  to  the  soul ; 
so  revolting  to  reason.  O  !  no  sir.  There  is 
no  man  who  knows  anything  of  this  affair, 
who  docs  not  know  that  to  every  body  con- 
cerned in  it,  Aaron  Burr  was  as  the  sun  to 
the  planets,  which  surround  him ;  he  bound 
them  in  their  respective  orbits, and  gave  them 
their  light,  their  heat,  and  their  motion.  Let 
him  not  then  shrink — from  the  high  destina- 
tion, which  he  has  courted ;  and  having  al- 
ready ruined  Blennerhassett  in  fortune,  char- 
acter, and  happiness,  forever,  attempt  to  fin- 
ish the  tragedy,  by  'thrusting  that  ill-fated 
man  between  himself  vxi(L  punishment. 
The  royal  bee,  queen— of  the  rosy  bower, 
Collects  her  precious  sweets — from  every  flower. 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


269 


C47.  Talents  always  Ascendant. 
Talents,  whenever  they  have  had  a  suitable 
theatre,  have  never  failed  to  emerge  from  ob- 
scurity, and  assume  their  proper  rank  in  the 
estimation  of  the  world.  The  jealous  pride 
of  power  may  attempt  to  repress,  and  crusli 
them;  the  base,  and  malignant  rancor  of  im- 
potent spleen,  and  envy — may  strive  to  em- 
barrass and  retard  their  tlight:  hut  these  ef- 
forts, so  far  from  achieving  their  ignoble  pur- 
pose, so  far  from  producing  a  discernible  ob- 
liquity, in  the  ascent  of  genuine,  and  vigorous 
talents,  will  serve  only  to  increase  their  mo- 
mentum, and  mark  their  transit,  with  an  ad- 
ditional stream  of  glory. 

\ V 1 1 e  1 1  the  great  earl  of  C hatham — first  ma de 
his  appearance  in  the  house  of  commons,  and 
began  to  astonish,  and  transport  the  British 

Earliament,  and  the  British  nation,  by  the 
oldness,  the  force,  and  range  of  his  thoughts, 
and  the  celestial  fire,  and  pathos  of  his  elo- 
quence, it  is  well  known,  that  the  minister, 
Walpole,  and  his  brother  Horace,  from  mo- 
tives very  easily  understood,  exerted  all  their 
wit,  all  their  oratory,  all  their  acquirements 
of  every  description,  sustained  and  enforced 
by  the  unfeeling  "  insolence  of  office,"  to  heave 
a  mountain  on  liis  gigantic  genius,  and  hide  it 
from  the  world.  Poor  and  powerless  attempt ! 
The  tables  were  turned.  He  rose  upon  them, 
in  the  might,  and  irresistible  energy  of  his 
genius,  and,  in  spite  of  all  their  convulsions, 
frantic  agonies,  and  spasms,  he  strangled 
them,  and  their  whole  faction,  with  as  much 
ease  as  Hercules  did  the  serpent  Python. 

Who  can  turn  over  the  debates  of  the  day, 
and  read  the  account  of  this  conflict  between 
youthful  ardor,  and  hoary-headed  cunning, 
and  power,  without  kindling  in  the  cause  of 
the  tyro,  and  shouting  at  his  victory  1  That 
they  should  have  attempted  to  pass  off  the 
grand,  yet  solid  and  judicious  operations  of  a 
mind  like  his,  as  being  mere  theatrical  start 
and  emotion;  the  giddy,  hair-brained  eccen- 
tricil  ies  of  a  romantic  boy !  That  they  should 
id  the  presumption  to  suppose  them- 
selves capable  of  chaining  down,  to  the  floor 
of  the  parliament,  a  genius  so  etherial,  tower- 
in^  and  sublime,  seems  unaccountable !  Why 
diil  they  not,  in  the  next  breath,  by  way  of 
crowning  the  climax  of  vanity,  bid  the  magnifi- 
cent lire-ball  to  descend  from  its  exalted,  and 
appropriate  region,  and  perform  its  splendid 
tour  along  the  surface  of  the  earth] 

Talents,  which  are  before  the  public,  have 
nothing  to  dread,  either  from  the  jealous  pride 
of  power,  or  from  the  transient  misrepresenta- 
tions of  party,  spleen,  or  envy.  In  spite  of 
opposition  from  any  cause,  their  buoyant  spir- 
it will  lift  them  to"  their  proper  grade.  The 
man  who  comes  fairly  before  the  world,  and 
vho  possesses  the  sreat,  and  vigorous  stami- 
I  =i,  which  entitle  him  to  a  niche  in  the  temple 
of  glory,  bas  no  reason  to  dread  the  ultimate 
result ;  however  slow  his  progress  may  be,  he 
will,  in  the  end.  most  indubitably  receive  that 
distinction.  While  the  rest,  "  the  swallows  of 
science,"  the  butterflies  of  genius,  may  flutter 
for  their  spring;  but  they  will  soon  pass 
away,  ami  lie  remembered  no  more.  No  en- 
terprising man,  therefore,  and  least  of  all,  the 
truly  great  num.  has  reason  to  droop,  or  re- 
pine, at  any  efforts,  which  he  may  suppose  to 
be  made,  with  the  view  to  depress  him.  Let, 
then,  the  tempest  of  envy,  or  of  malice  howl 
around  him.  His  genius  will  consecrate  him ; 
and  any  attempt  to  extinguish  that,  will  be 


as  unavailing,  as  would  a  human  effort  "to 
quench  the  stars.'" — Wirt. 

G4S.     RICH   AND   POOR  MAN. 

So  goes  the  world  ; — if  wealthy,  you  may  call 

ml.  (Aot, brother ;  friends  and  brothers  all; 
Tlio'  you  are  worthless — witless — never  mind  it: 
You  may  have  been  a  stable-boy — what  then? 
Tis  wealth,  good  sir,  makes  honorable  men. 
You  seek  respect,  no  doubt,  and  you  will  find  it. 
But,  if  you  are  poor,  heaven  help  you  I  tho'  your 
Had  royal  blood  within  him.  and  tho'  you       [sire 
Possess  the  intellect  of  angels,  too, 
'Tis  all  in  vain ; — the  world  will  ne'er  inquire 
On  such  a  score : — Why  should  it  take  the  pains? 
'Tis  easier  to  weigh  purses,  sure,  than  brains. 
I  once  saw  a  poor  fellow,  keen,  and  clever, 
Witty,  and  wise : — he  paid  a  man  a  visit, 
And  no  one  noticed  him,  and  no  one  ever   [is  it  ?" 
Gave  him  a  welcome.  "Strange,"  cried  I,  "whence 

He  walked  on  this  side,  then  on  that, 

He  tried  to  introduce  a  social  chat ; 

Now  here,  now  there,  in  vain  he  tried ; 

Some  formally  and  freezingly  replied,  and  some 

Said,  by  their  silence — "Better  stay  at  home." 

A  rich  man  burst  the  door, 

As  Crossus  rich ;  I'm  sure 
He  could  not  pride  himself  upon  his  wit, 
And  as  for  wisdom,  he  had  none  of  it; 
He  had  what 's  better ; — he  had  wealth. 

What  a  confusion! — all  stand  up  erect — 
These — crowd  around  to  ask  him  of  his  health; 

These — bow  in  honest  duty,  and  respect; 
And  these — arrange  a  sofa  or  a  chair, 
And  these — conduct  him  there. 
"Allow  me,  sir,  the  honor;" — Then  a  bow — 
Down  to  the  earth — Is 't  possible  to  show 
Meet  gratitude — for  such  kind  condescension? — 
The  poor  man — hung  his  head, 
And,  to  himself,  he  said, 
"This  is  indeed,  beyond  my  comprehension:" 
Then  looking  round, 
One  friendly  face  he  found, 
And  said,  "  Pray  tell  me  why  is  wealth  preferred, 
To  unsdom?"1 — "That's  a  silly  question,  friend  1" 
Replied  the  other — "  have  you  never  heard, 
A  man  may  lend  his  store 
Of  gold,  or  silver  ore, 
But  wisdom — none  can  borroio,  none  can  lend?" 

THE   ABUSE   OF   AUTHORITY. 

O,  it  is  excellent 
To  have  a  giant's  strength;  but  it  is  tyrannous 
To  use  it  like  a  giant. 
Could  gTeat  men  thunder 

As  Jove  himself  does,  Jove  would  ne'er  be  quiet : 
For  every  pelting,  petty  officer,  [thunder. 

Would  use  his  heaven  for  thunder;  nothing  but 
Merciful  heaven! 

Thou  rather,  with  thy  sharp  and  sulphurous  bolt, 
Split    the  unwedgeable  and  gnarled  oak, 
Than  the  soft  myrtle. — O.  but  man,  proud  man, 
Drest  in  a  little  brief  authority ; 
Most  ignorant  of  what  he  's  most  assur'd, 
His  glassy  essence, — like  an  angry  ape, 
Plays  such  fantastic  tricks  before  high  heaven, 
As  make  the  angels  weep ;  who,  with  our  spleens, 
Would  all  themselves  laugh  mortal. — Shakspeare. 
z2 


270 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


649.      THE   MANIAC  ;    MAD-HOUSE. 

Stay,  jailor,  stay — and  hear  my  woe  ! 

She  is  not  mad— who  kneels  to  thee  ; 
For  what  I'm  now — too  well  I  know, 

For  what  I  was — and  what  should  be. 
I'll  rave  no  more — in  proud  despair  ; 

Mv  anguage  shall  he  mild— though  sad: 
But  yet  I'll  firmly — truly  swear, 

I  am  not  mad — I  am  not  mad. 

My  tyrant  husband — forged  the  tale, 

Which  chains  me — in  this  dismal  cell ; 
My  fate  unknown — my  friends  bewail  ; 

Oh  !  jailor,  haste — that  fate  to  tell : 
Oh !  haste — my  father's  heart  to  cheer  : 

His  heart,  at  once — 'twill  grieve,  and  glad, 
To  know,  though  kept  a  captive  here, 

I  am  not  mad  ; — 1  am  not  mad. 

He  smiles — in  scorn,  and  turns — the  key  ; 

He  quits  the  grate  ;  I  knelt  in  vain  ; 
His  glimmering  lamp,  still,  still  I  see — 

'Tis  gone,  and  all  is  gloom  again. 
Cold — bitter  cold : — No  warmth !  no  light ! 

Life, — all  thy  comforts  once  I  had  ; 
Yet  here  I'm  chained, — this  freezing  night, 

Although  not  mad  ;  no,  no,  not  mad. 

'Tis  sure  some  dream, — some  vision  vain  : 

What. !  I, — the  child  of  rank — and  wealth, 
Am  /the  wretch — who  clanks  this  chain, 

Bereft  of  freedom, — friends  and  health  ? 
Ah!  while  I  dwell  on  blessings  fled, 

Which  never  more — my  heart  must  glad, 
How  aches  my  heart, — how  burns  my  head  ; 

But  'tis  not  mad  ; — no,  'tis  not  mad. 

Hast  thou,  my  child — forgot  ere  this, 

A  mother's  face, — a  mother's  tongue  ? 
She'll  ne'er  forget  your  parting  kiss, 

Nor  round  her  neck — how  fast  you  clung; 
Nor  how  with  me — you  sued  to  stay  ; 

Nor  how  that  suit — your  sire  forbade  ; 
Nor  how— I'll  drive  such  thoughts  away; 

They'll  make  me  mad;  they'll  make  me  mad. 

His  rosy  lips, — how  sweet  they  smiled  ! 

His  mild  blue  eyes,  how  bright  they  shone  ! 
None — ever  bore  a  lovelier  child  : 

And  art  thou  now  forever — gone  ? 
And  must  I  never  see  thee  more, 

My  pretty,  pretty,  pretty  lad?   , 
I  will  be  free  !  unbar  the  door  ! 

I  am  not  mad  ; — I  am  not  mad, 

Oh  !  hark  !  what  mean  those  yells,  and  cries  ? 

His  chain — some  furious  madman  breaks; 
He  comes, — I  see  his  glaring  eyes  ; 

Now,  now — my  dungeon-grate  he  shakes. 
Help!  help! — He's  gone  !     Oh!  fearful  wo, 

Such  screams  to  hear,  such  sights  to  see  ! 
My  brain,  my  brain, — I  know,  I  know, 

I  am  not  mad,  but  soon  shall  be. 

Yes,  soon ;— for,  lo  you ! — while  I  speak— 

Mark  how  yon  Demon's  eye-balls  glare  ! 
He  sees  me  ;  now,  witli  dreadful  shriek, 

He  whirls  a  serpent — high  in  air. 
Horror  I — the  reptile — strikes  his  tooth — 
Deep  in  my  heart,  so  crushed  and  sad  ; 
Ay.  laugh,  ye  fiends  ;  I  feel  the  truth, 
Your  task  is  done_!j— I'm  mad  1  I'm  mad  1 
Here  didst  thou  dwell,  in  the  enchanted  cover, 
Egerin  !  thy  all  heavenly  bosom  beating, 
For  the  far  footsteps  of  thy  mortal  lover  ;  [ing, 
The  purple  moonlight  vail'd  that  mystic  meet- 
Witb  her  most  starry  canopy,  and,  seating 
Thyself  by  thine  adorer,  what  befell  ?         [ing 
This  cave  was  surely  shaped  out  for  the  greet- 
"Of  an  enamor'd  goddess,  and  the  cell 
Haunted  by  holy  love — the  earliest  oracle  ! 
Children,  like  tender  scions,  take  the  bow, 
And,  as  they  first  are  fashioned— always  grow. 


650.    the  alps. 
Proud  monuments  of  God!  sublime  ye  stand 
Among  the  wonders  of  his  mighty  hand  : 
With  summits  soaring  in  the  upper  sky,       [eye  ; 
Where  the  broad  day  looks  down  with  burning 
Where  gorgeous  clouds  in  solemn  pomp  repose, 
Flinging  rich  shadows  on  eternal  snows  : 
Piles  of  triumphant  dust,  ye  stand  alone, 
And  hold  in  kingly  state,  a  peerless  throne  ! 

Like  olden  conquerors,  on  high  ye  rear 
The  regal  ensign,  and  the  glittering  spear  : 
Round  icy  spires,  the  mists,  in  wreaths  unrolled, 
Float  ever  near,  in  purple  or  in  gold  : 
And  voiceful  torrents,  sternly  rolling  there, 
Fill  with  wild  music,  the  unpillared  air  : 
What  garden,  or  what  hall  on  earth  beneath, 
Thrills   to  such  tones,  as  o'er   the  mountains 
breathe?  [shone, 

There,  through  long  ages  past,  those  summits 
Where   morning  radiance   on   their  state  was 

thrown  ; 
There,  when  the  summer  day's  career  was  done, 
Played  the  last  glory  of  the  sinking  sun  ; 
There,  sprinkling  lustre  o'er  the  cataract's  shade, 
The  chastened    moon,    her  glittering  rainbow 

made  ; 
And,  blent  with  pictured  stars,  her  lustre  lay, 
Where  to  still  vales, the  free  streams  leaped  away. 

Where  are  the  thronging  hosts  of  other  days, 
Whose  banners  floated  o'er  the  Alpine  ways; 
Who,  through  their  high  defiles,  to  battle,  wound, 
While  deadly  ordnance  st  irr'd  the  h'ights  around? 
Gone;  like  the  dream,  that  melts  at  early  morn, 
When  the  lark's  anthem  through  the  sky  is  borne: 
Gone;  like  the  wrecks,  that  sink  in  ocean's  spray. 
And  chill  oblivion  murmurs  ;  Where  are  they  ? 

Yet,  "  Alps  on  Alps"  still  rise  ;  the  lofty  home 
Of  storms,  and  eagles,  where  their  pinions  roam; 
Still,  round  their  peaks,  the  magic  colors  lie, 
Of  morn,  and  eve,  imprinted  on  the  sky  ; 
And  still,  while  kings   and  thrones,  shall  fade, 

and  fall, 
And  empty  crowns  lie  dim  upon  the  pall ;  [roar ; 
Still,  shall  their  glaciers  flash;   their  torrents 
Till  kingdoms  fail,  and  nations  rise  no  more. 

Adherence  to  Truth.  Petrarch,  a  cele- 
brated Italian  poet,  who  flourished  about  four 
hundred  years  ago,  recommended  himself  to 
the  confidence  and  affection  of  Cardinal  Co- 
lonna,  in  whose  family  lie  resided,  by  his  can- 
dor, and  strict  adherence  to  truth.  A  violent 
quarrel  occurred  in  the  household  of  this 
nobleman  ;  which  was  carried  so  far,  that  re- 
course was  had  to  arms.  The  Cardinal  wish- 
ed to  know  the  foundation  of  this  affair;  and 
that  he  might  be  able  to  decide  with  justice, 
he  assembled  all  his  people,  and  obliged  them 
to  bind  themselves,  by  a  most  solemn  oath 
on  the  gospels,  to  declare  the  whole  truth. 
Every  one,  without  exception,  submitted  to 
this  determination  ;  even  the  Bishop  of  Luna, 
brother  to  the  Cardinal  was  not  excused. 
Petrarch,  in  his  turn,  presenting  himself  to 
take  the  oath;  the  Cardinal  closed  the  book, 
and  said,  "  As  to  you,  Petrarch,  your  word  is 
sufficient.'''' 

'Tis  done,  and  since  'tis  done,  'tis  past  recall; 
And  since  'tis  past  recall,  must  be  forgotten. 
Never  purchase  friendship  by  gifts. 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


271 


631.  Modern  Rr.pritLics.  Where  are 
the  republics  of  modern  times,  which  cluster'd 
round  immortal  Italy!  Venice,  and  Genoa 
exist,  but  in  name.  The  Ups,  indeed,  look 
down  u]Hin  the  brave  and  peaceful  Swiss,  in 
their  native  fastnesses;  but  the  guaranty  of 
their  freedom  is  in  their  weakness,  and  not  in 
their  strength.  The  mountains  are  not  easily 
crossed,  and  the  valleys  are  not  easily  retain- 
ed. When  the  invader  comes,  he  moves  like 
an  avalanche,  carrying  destruction  in  his 
path.  The  peasantry  sink  before  him.  The 
country  is  too  poor  for  plunder;  and  too  rough 
for  valuable  conquest.  Nature  presents  her 
eternal  barriers,  on  every  side,  to  check  the 
wantonness  of  ambition ;  and  Switzerland  re- 
mains, with  her  simple  institutions. a  military 
road  to  fairer  climates,  scarcely  worth  a  per- 
manent possession. 

We  stand  the  latest,  and,  if  we  fail,  probably 
the  last  experiment  of  self-government  by  the 
people.  We  have  begun  it,  under  circum- 
stances of  the  most  auspicious  nature.  We 
are  in  the  vigor  of  youth.  Our  growth  has 
never  been  checked,  by  the  oppressions  of 
tyranny.  Our  constitutions  have  never  been 
enfeeble. I  by  the  vices,  or  luxuries  of  the  old 
world.  Such  as  we  are,  we  have  been  from 
the  beginning ;  simple,  hardy,  intelligent,  ac- 
customed to  self-government,  and  self-respect. 
The  Atlantic  rolls  between  us,  and  any  for- 
midable foe.  Within  our  own  territory, 
stretching  through  many  degrees  of  latitude 
and  longitude,  we  have  the  choice  of  many 
products,  and  many  means  of  independence. 
The  government  is  mild.  The  press  is  free. 
Knowledge  reaches,  or  may  reach,  every 
home.  What  fairer  prospect  of  success  could 
be  presented  1  What  means  more  adequate 
to  accomplish  the  sublime  end'!  What  more 
is  necessary,  than  for  the  people  to  preserve, 
what  they  themselves  have  created] 

Already  has  the  age  caught  the  spirit  of  our 
institutions.  It  has  already  ascended  the  An- 
des, and  snuffed  the  breezes  of  both  oceans. 
It  has  infused  itself  into  the  life-blood  of  Eu- 
rope, and  warmed  the  sunny  plains  of  France, 
and  the  lowlands  of  Holland.  It  has  touched 
the  philosophy  of  Germany,  and  the  North, 
and,  moving  onward  to  the  South,  has  opened 
to  Greece  the  lessons  of  her  better  days. 

Can  it  be,  that  America,  under  such  cir- 
cumstances, can  betray  herself]  that  she  is 
to  be  added  to  the  catalogue  of  republics,  the 
inscription  upon  whose  ruins  is  —  "They 
were,  but  they  are  not."  Forbid  it,  my  coun- 
trymen ;  forbid  it,  Heaven ! — Story. 

652.      RAZOR  SELLER. 

A  fellow,  in  a  market-town, 

Most  musical,  cried  razors,  up  and  down, 
And  offered  twelve — for  eighteen-pence ; 

Wh.  A-,  certainly,  seem'd  wondrous  cheap, 

And.  for  tin;  money,  quite  a  heap, 
That  every  man  would  buy,  with  cash  and  sense. 

A  country  bumpkin  the  great  offer  heard; 

Poor  Hodge,  who  suffer'd  by  abroad  black  beard, 
That  seemed  a  shoe-brush,  stuck  beneath  his  nose. 

With  cheerfulness,  the  eighteen-pence  he  paid, 

And,  proudly,  to  himself,  in  whispers  said — 
"This  rascal  stole  the  razors,  I  suppose. 

"  No  matter,  if  the  fellow  be  a  knave, 
Provided  that  the  razors  shave; 
It  certainly  will  be  a  monstrous  prize." 


So  home  the  clown,  with  his  good  fortune  went, 
Smiling,— in  heart  and  soul  content, 
And  quickly  soaped  himself  to  ears  and  eyes. 
Being  well  lathered,  from  a  dish  or  tub, 
Hodge  now  began,  with  grinning  pain,  to  grub — 
Just  like  a  hedger,  cutting  furze  : 
Twas  a  vile  razor !— then  the  rest  he  tried  ;— 
All  were  impostors.     "  Ah  '.:'  Hodge  sighed, 
"I  wish  my  eighteen-pence  was  in  my  purse." 
In  vain,  to  chase  his  beard,  and  bring  the  graces, 
He  cut  and  dug,  and  whined,  and  stamp'd,  and 
swore ; 
Bro't  blood,  and  dane'd,  blasphem'd  and  made  wry 
And  curs'd  each  razors  body,o'er  and  o'er.[faces, 
His  muzzle,  formed  of  opposition  stuff, 
Firm  as  a  Foxite,  would  not  lose  its  ruff; 
So  kept  it — laughing  at  the  steel,  and  suds. 
Hodge,  in  a  passion,  stretched  his  angry  jaws, 
Vowing  the  direst  veng'nee,  with  clench'd  claws, 
On  the  vile  cheat  that  sold  the  goods. 
"  Razors !  a  vile,  confounded  dog! — 
Not  fit  to  scrape  a  hog  V 

Hodge  sought  the  fellow— found  him— and  begun, 
'■  P"rhaps,  Master  Razor-rogue  !  to  you,  'tis  fun, 
That  people  flay  themselves  out  of  their  lives. 
You  rascal !  for  an  hour,  have  I  been  grubbing, 
Giving  my  crying  whiskers  here  a  scrubbing, 
With  razors,  just  like  oyster-knives. 
Sirrah  !  I  tell  you,  you  're  a  knave, 
To  cry  up  razors  that  can't  shave." 
"  Friend,"  quoth  the  razor  man, "  I'm  not  a  knave; 
As  for  the  razors  you  have  bought, — 
Upon  my  soul,  I  never  thought 

That  they  would  shave." 
"  Not  think  they'd  shave?"  quoth  Hodge,  with 

wond'ring  eyes, 
And  voice,  not  much  unlike  an  Indian  yell, 
"What  were  they  made  for  then,  you  dog?"  he  cries. 
"  Made !"  quoth  the  fellow,  with  a  smile, "  to  sell." 
65:$.    Universal    Emancipation.       I 
speak  —  in  the  spirit — of  the  British  law, 
which  makes  liberty  —  commensurate  with, 
and  inseparable  from,  the  British  soil, — which 
proclaims,  even  to  the  stranger  and  the  so- 
journer, the  moment  he  sets  his  foot  upon 
British  earth,  that  the  ground  on  which  he 
treads — is  holy,  and  consecrated — by  the  ge- 
nius of  Universal  Emancipation.      No 
n latter   in   what  language — his   doom  may 
have  been  pronounced ;  no  matter  what  com- 
plexion— incompatible  with  freedom,  an  In- 
dian, or  an  African  sun  may  have  burnt  upon 
him ;  no  matter  in  what  disastrous  battle — his 
liberty  may  have  been  cloven  down;  no  mat- 
ter with  what  solemnities — he  may  have  been 
devoted — upon  the  altar  of  slavery ;  the  first 
moment — lie  touches  the  sacred  soil  of  Britain, 
the  altar,  and  the  god,  sink  together  in  the 
dust;  his  soul  walks  abroad  in  her  own  ma- 
jesty;  his  body  swells  beyond  the  measure 
of  his  chains,  that  burst  from  around   him, 
and  he  stands  redeemed,  regenerated,  and 
disenthralled,  by  the  irresistible  genius  of 
V  \i  veksal  Emancipation. — Grattan. 
When  breezes  are  soft,  and  skies  are  fair, 
I  steal  an  hour  from  study  and  care, 
And  hie  me  away — to  the  woodland  scene, 
Where  wanders  the  stream  with  waters  of  green; 
As  if  the  bright  fringe — of  herbs  on  its  brink 
Had  given  their  stain,  to  the  wave  they  drink. 


272 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


654.  gixevra;  or  lost  bride. 
If  ever  you  should  come  to  Modena, 
Stop  at  a  palace,  near  the  Reggio-gate, 
Dwelt  in,  of  old,  by  one  of  the  Donati. 
Its  noble  gardens,  terrace,  above  terrace, 
And  rich  in  fountains,  statues,  cypresses, 
Will  long  detain  you — but  before  you  go, 
Enter  the  house — forget  it  not,  I  pray  you — 
And  look  awhile  upon  a  picture  there 
Tis  of  a  lady,  in  her  earliest  youth, 
The  last,  of  that  illustrious  family  ; 
Done  by  Zampieri — but  by  whom  I  care  not. 
He,  who  observes  it — ere  he  passes  on, 
Gazes  his  fill,  and  comes,  and  comes  again, 
That  he  may  call  it  up,  when  far  away. 
She  sits,  inclining  forward,  as  to  speak, 
Her  lips  half  open,  and  her  finger  up, 
As  though  she  said,  "  Beware  !"  her  vest  of  gold, 
Broidered  with  flowers,  and  clasp'd  from  head  to 
An  emerald  stone,  in  every  golden  clasp  ;      [foot, 
And  on  her  brow,  fairer  than  alabaster, 
A  coronet  of  pearls. 

But  then  her  face, 
So  lovely,  yet  so  arch,  so  full  of  mirth, 
The  overflowing — of  an  innocent  heart — 
It  haunts  me  still,  though  many  a  year  has  fled, 
Like  some  wild  melody  ! 

Alone  it  hangs, 
Over  a  mouldering  heir-loom;  its  companion, 
An  oaken  chest,  half-eaten  by  the  worm, 
But  richly  carved,  by  Antony  of  Trent, 
"With  scripture-stories,  from  the  life  of  Christ ; 
A  chest,  that  came  from  Venice,  and  had  held 
The  ducal  robes — of  some  old  ancestors — 
That,  by  the  way — it  may  be  true,  or  false — 
But  don't  forget  the  picture  ;  and  you  will  not, 
When  you  have  heard  the  tale,  they  told  me  there 
She  was  an  only  child — her  name — Ginevra, 
The  joy,  the  pride — of  an  indulgent  father; 
And,  in  her  fifteenth  year,  became  a  bride, 
Marrying  an  only  son,  Francesco  Doria, 
Her  playmate,  from  her  birth,  and  her  first  love. 
Just  as  she  looks  there,  in  her  bridal  dress, 
She  was;  all  gentleness,  all  gayety  ; 
Her  pranks,  the  favorite  theme  of  every  tongue. 
But  now,  the  day  was  come,  the  day,  the  hour ; 
Now,  frowning,  smiling,  for  the  hundredth  time, 
The  nurse,  that  ancient  lady,  preached  decorum  : 
And,  in  the  lustre  of  her  youth,  she  gave 
Her  hand,  with  her  heart  in  it,  to  Francesco. 
Great  was  the  joy  ;  but,  at  the  nuptial  feast,  [ing. 
When  all  sat  down,  the  bride  herself— was  want- 
Nor  was  she  to  be  found  !  Her  father  cried, 
'"Tis  but  to  make  a  trial  of  our  love  !" 
And  filled  his  glass  to  all ;  but  his  hand  shook, 
And  soon  from  guest  to  guest — the  panic  spread. 
Tvvas  but  that  instant— she  had  left  Francesco, 
Laughing,  and  looking  back,  and  flying  still, 
Her  ivory  tooth— imprinted  on  his  finger. 
But  now,  alas  !  she  was  not  to  be  found; 
Nor,  from  that  hour,  could  anything  be  guessed, 
But,  that  she  was  not ! 

Weary  of  his  life, 
Francesco — flew  to  Venice,  am!,  embarking, 
Flung  it  away,  in  battle  with  the  Turk. 
Donati  lived — and  long  might  you  have  seen 
An  old  man,  wandering — as  inquest  of  something,  | 


Something  he  could  not  find — he  knew  not  what 

When  he  was  gone,  the  house  remained  awhile, 

Silent,  and  tenantless — then,  went  to  strangers. 

Full  fifty  years  were  past,  and  all  forgotten, 

When,  on  an  idle  day,  a  day  of  search, 

Mid  the  old  lumber,  in  the  gallery,  [said, 

That  mouldering  chest  was  noticed  ;  and,  'twas 

By  one  as  young,  as  thoughtless  as  Ginevra, 

"  Why  not  remove  it  from  its  lurking-place  ?" 

'Twas  done,  as  soon  as  said  ;  but,  on  the  way, 

It  burst,  it  fell  ;  and  lo  !  a  skeleton ! 

With  here  and  there  a  pearl,  and  emerald-stone, 

A  golden  clasp,  clasping  a  shred  of  gold. 

All  else — had  perished — save  a  wedding-ring, 

And  a  small  seal,  her  mother's  legacy, 

Engraven  with  a  name,  the  name  of  both — 

"  Ginevra?"1 

There,  then,  had  she  found  a  grave  ! 

Within  that  chest,  had  she  concealed  herself, 

Fluttering  with  joy,  the  happiest  of  the  happy ; 

When  a  spring-lock,  that  lay  in  ambush  there, 

Fastened  her  down  forever  ! — Rogers. 

THE    NEEDLE. 

The  gay  belles  of  fashion,  may  boast  of  excelling, 

In  waltz,  or  cotillion,  at  ivhist  or  quadrille; 
And  seek  admiration,  by  vauntingly  telling — 

Of  drawing,  and  painting,  and  musical  skill ; 
But  give  me  the  fair  one,  in  country  or  city, 

Whose  home,  and  its  duties,  are  dear  to  her  heart; 
Who  cheerfully  icarbles  some  rustical  ditty, 

While  plying  the  needle,  with  exquisite  art ; 
The  brigltt  little  needle,  the  swift  flying  needle, 

The  needle — directed  by  beauty,  and  art. 
If  love  has  a  potent,  a  magical  token, 

A  talisman,  ever  resistless,  and  true, 
A  charm,  that  is  never  evaded  or  broken, 

A  witchery,  certain  the  heart  to  subdue, 
'Tis  this,  and  his  armory — never  has  furnished, 

So  keen,  and  unerring,  or  polished  a  dart, 
(Let  beauty  direct  it.)  so  pointed,  and  burnished, 

And,  oh!  it  is  certain — of  touching  the  heart, 
The  bright  little  needle,  the  swift  flying  needle, 

The  needle — directed  by  beauty,  and  art. 
Be  wise,  then,  ye  maidens,  nor  seek  admiration, 

By  dressing — for  conquest,  andffirting — with  all; 
You  never,  whate'er  be  your  fortune,  or  station, 

Appear  half  so  lovely,  at  rout,  or  at  ball, 
As — gaily  conven'd  at  the  ivork-coveret\  table, 

Each — cheerfully  active,  and  playing  her  part, 
Beguiling  the  task,  with  a  song,  or  a  fable, 

And  plying  the  needle — with  exquisite  art; 
The  bright  little  needle, — the  long  darning  needle, 

The  swift  kjiitting  needle,  the  needle,  directed  bv 
beauty  and  art. —  Woodworth. 
In  parts  superior,  what  advantage  lies? 
Tell,  (for  you  can)  what  is  it  to  be  wise? 
'Tis  but  to  know  how  little  can  be  known; 
To  see  all  others'  faults,  and  feel  our  own; 
Condemn'd  in  business,  or  in  arts  to  drudge. 
Without  a  second,  or  without  a  judge. 
Truths  would  you  teach,  to  save  a  sinking  land; 
All  fear,  none  aid  you,  and  few — understand. 

Even  from  the  body's  purity,  the  mind 
Receives  a  secret  sympathetic  aid. 

Not  rural  sight  alone,  but  rural  sounds. 
Exhilarate  the  spirits. 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


273 


655.  Adams  and  Jefferson.  Theyhaye 

gone  to  the  companions  of  their  cares,  of  their 
toils.  It  is  well  with  them.  The  treasures  of 
America  are  now  in  Heaven.  How  long  the 
list  of  our  good,  and  wise,  and  brave,  assem- 
bled there  !  how  few  remain  with  us !  There 
is  our  Washington ;  and  those  who  followed 
him  in  their  country's  confidence,  are  now 
met  together  with  him,  and  all  that  illustrious 
company. 

The  laithful  marble  may  preserve  their 
image;  the  engraven  brass  may  proclaim 
their  wortli ;  but  the  humblest  sod  of  inde- 
pendent America,  with  nothing  but  the  dew- 
drops  of  the  morning  to  gild  it,  is  a  prouder 
mausoleum  than  kings  or  conquerors  can 
boast.  The  country  is  their  monument.  Its 
independence  is  their  epitaph. 

But  not  to  their  country  is  their  praise  lim- 
ited. The  whole  earth  is  the  monument  of 
illu>trtous  men.  Wherever  an  agonizing 
people  shall  perish,  in  a  generous  convul- 
sion, for  want  of  a  valiant  arm  and  a  fearless 
heart,  they  will  cry,  hi  the  last  accents  of  de- 
spair, Oh,  for  a  Washington,  an  Adams,  a 
Jefferson !  Wherever  a  regenerated  nation, 
starting  up  in  its  might,  shall  burst  the  links 
of  steel  that  enchain  it,  the  praise  of  our  fa- 
thers shall  be  the  prelude  of  their  triumphal 
song. 

The  contemporary  and  successive  genera- 
tions of  men  will  disappear.  In  the  long 
lapse  of  ages,  the  tribes  of  America,  like  those 
of  Greece  and  Rome,  may  pass  away.  The 
fabric  of  American  freedom,  like  all  things 
human,  however  firm  and  fair,  may  crumble 
into  dust.  But  the  cause  in  which  these  our 
fathers  shone  is  immortal.  They  did  that,  to 
which  no  atce,  no  people  of  reasoning  men, 
can  be  indifferent. 

Their  eulogy  will  be  uttered  in  other  lan- 
guages, when  those  we  speak,  like  us  who 
speak  them,  shall  all  be  forgotten.  And  when 
the  great  account  of  humanity  shall  be  closed 
at  the  throne  of  God,  in  the  bright  list  of  his 
children,  who  best  adorned  and  served  it, 
shall  be  found  the  names  of  our  Adams  and 
our  Jefferson. — Everett. 

656.      EXILE  OF  ERIN. 

There  came  to  the  beach — a  poor  exile  of  Erin. 

The  dew.  on  his  thin  robe,  hung  heavy  and  chill: 
For  his  country  he  sigh'd,  when,  at  twilight  repair- 
To  wander  alone,  by  the  wind-beaten  hill :  [ing. 
But  the  day-star — attracted  his  eyes'  sad  devotion, 
For  it  rose — on  his  own  native  Isle  of  the  Ocean, 
Where  once,  in  the  glow  of  his  youthful  emotion, 
He  sung  the  bold  anthem — of  Erin  Go  Bragh  ! 
O,  sad  is  my  fate !  said  the  heart-broken  stranger, 

The  wild  deer  and  wolf,  to  a  covert  can  flee ; 
But  I — have  no  refuge — from  famine,  or  danger, 

A  home,  and  a  country — remain  not  for  me ; 
Ah!  never,  again,  in  the  green  sunny  bow'rs,  [hours. 
Where  my  forefathers  liv'd,  shall  I  spend  the  sweet 
Or  cover  my  harp,  with  the  wild  woven  flowers, 
And  strike  to  the  numbers — of  Erin  Go  Bragh  ! 
O, where  is  my  cottage,  that  stood  by  the  wild  wood? 
Sisters  and  sires,  did  ye  weep  for  its  fall?  [hood, 
O,  where  is  the  mother,  that  watch'd  o'er  my  child- 
And  where  is  the  bosom-friend,  dearer  than  all  ? 
Ah!  my  sad  soul,  long  abandoned  by  pleasure, 
O,  why  did  it  doat — on  a  fast  fading  treasure — 
Tears,  like  the  rain-drops,  may  fall,  without  mea- 
But  rapture,  and  beauty,  they  cannot  recall !  [sure, 
35 


Erin,  my  country,  though  sad  and  forsaken, 
In  dreams,  I  revisit  thy  sea-beaten  shore  : 
But  alas!  La  a  far  distant  land  I  awaken,   [more! 
And  sigh  for  the  friend!?,  who  can  meet  me  no 
< ).  hard,  cruel  fate,  wilt  thou  never  replace  me, 
In  a  mansion  of  peace,where  no  peril  29Q  chase  me? 
Ah  !  never,  again,  shall  my  brothefu  embrace  me, 
They  died  to  defend  me,  or  live — to  ueplore  ! 

But  yet,  all  its  fond  recollections  suppressing, 

One  dying  wish — my  lone  bosom  shall  draw: 
Erin,  an  exile  bequeaths  thee  his  blessing, 
Land  of  my  forefathers,  Erin  Go  Bragh  ! 
Buried  and  cold,  when  my  heart  stills  its  motion, 
Green  be  thy  fields,  sweetest  isle  of  the  ocean, 
And  thy  harp-striking  bards  sing  aloud  with  devo- 
O,  Erin  ma  vorneen,  Erin  Go  Bragh  !        [tion, 

657.      THE   HYPOCRITE. 

He  was  a  man. 
Who  stole  the  livery— of  the  court  of  heaven, 
To  serve  the  devil  in ;  in  virtue's  guise, 
Devoured  the  widow's  house,  and  orphan's  bread ; 
In  holy  phrase,  transacted  villanies. 
That  common  sinners — durst  not  meddle  with. 
At  sacred  feast,  he  sat  among  the  saints, 
And  with  his  guilty  hands — touched  holiest  things. 
And  none  of  sin  lamented  more,  or  sighed 
More  deeply,  or  with  graver  countenance, 
Or  longer  prayer,  wept  o'er  the  dying  man, 
Whose  infant  children,  at  the  moment,  he 
Planned  how  to  rob.    In  sermon-style  he  bought, 
And  sold,  and  lied  ;  and  salutation  made, 
In  scripture  terms.    He  prayed,  by  quantity, 
And  with  his  repetitions,  long  and  loud, 
All  knees  were  weary.    "With  one  hand,  he  put 
A  penny — in  the  urn  of  poverty, 
And  with  the  other — took  a  shilling  out. 
On  charitable  lists, — those  trumps,  which  told 
The  public  ear,  who  had,  in  secret,  done 
The  poor  a  benefit,  and  half  the  alms  [ing-, 

They  told  of.  took  themselves  to  keep  them  sound- 
He  blazed  his  name,  more  pleased  to  have  it  there, 
Than  in  the  book  of  life.     Seest  thou  the  man ! 
A  serpent  with  an  angel's  voice!  a  grave.  [ceiv"d. 
With  flowers  bestrewed  !  and  yet.  few  were  de- 
His  virtues,  being  over-done,  his  face, 
Too  grave,  his  prayers  too  long,  his  charities, 
Too  pompously  attended,  and  his  speech, 
Larded  too  frequently,  and  out  of  time. 
With  serious  phraseology, — were  rents. 
That  in  his  garments  opened,  in  spite  of  him. 
Thro'  which,  the  well  accustomed  eye.  could  see 
The  rottenness  of  his  heart.    None  deeper  blush'd, 
As  in  the  all-piercing  light  he  stood,  exposed, 
No  longer  herding — with  the  holy  ones. 
Yet  still  he  tried  to  bring  his  countenance — 
To  sanctimonious  seeming;  but,  meanwhile, 
The  shame  within,  now  visible  to  all. 
His  purpose  balk"d.  The  righteous  sm:l"d.  and  even 
Despair  itself,  some  signs  of  laughter  gave, 
As,  ineffectually,  he  strove  to  wipe 
His  brow,  that  inward  guiltiness  defiled. 
Detected  wretch!  of  all  the  reprobate. 
None  seem'd  more  mature — for  the  flames  of  hell, 
Where  still  his  face,  from  ancient  custom,  wears 
A  holy  air,  which  says  to  all  that  pass 
Him  by,  "  I  was  a  hypocrite  on  tank!' — Pollock. 


274 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


658.   PARRHASIUS  AND  CAPTIVE. 
"Parrhasius,  a  painter  of  Athens,  amongst  those  Olynthian  cap- 
tives Philip  of  Macedon  brought  home  to  sell,  bought  one  very  old 
man ;  and  when  he  bad  him  at  his  house,  put  him  to  death  with 
extreme  torture  and  torment,  the  better,  by  his  example,  to  express 
Hie  pains  and  passions  of  his  Prometheus,  whom  he  was  then 
about  to  paint.         •ti^ion'i  Anat.  of  Md. 
There  stood   i-    unsold  captive  in  the  mart, 
A  gray-haired  and  majestical  old  man. 
Chained  to  a  pillar.     It  was  almost  night. 
And  the  last  seller  from  his  place  had  gone, 
And  not  a  sound  was  heard  but  of  a  dog 
Crunching  beneath  the  stall  a  refuse  bone, 
Or  the  dull  echo  from  the  pavement  rung. 
As  the  faint  captive  changed  his  weary  feet. 
Twas  evening,  and  the  half-descended  sun 
Tipped  with  a  golden  fire  the  many  domes 
Of  Athens,  and  a  yellow  atmosphere 
Lay  rich  and  dusky  in  ihe  shaded  street 
Through  which  the  captive  gazed. 
The  golden  light  into  the  painter's  room 
Streamed  richly,  and  the  hidden  colors  stole 
From  the  dark  pictures  radiantly  forth, 
And  in  the  soft  and  dewy  atmosphere, 
Like  forms  and  landscapes,  magical  they  lay. 
Parrhasius  stood,  gazing,  forgetfully, 
Upon  his  canvas.    There  Prometheus  lay 
Chained  to  the  cold  rocks  of  Mount  Caucasus — 
The  vulture  at  his  vitals,  and  the  links 
Of  the  lame  Lemnian  festering  in  his  flesh; 
And,  as  the  painter's  mind  felt  through  the  dim, 
Rapt  mystery,  and  plucked  the  shadows  forth 
With  its  far-reaching  fancy,  and  with  form 
And  color  clad  them,  his  fine,  earnest  eye, 
Flashed  with  a  passionate  fire,  and  the  quick  curl 
Of  his  thin  nostril,  and  his  quivering  lip       [flight. 
Were  like  the  winged  God's,  breathing  from  his 
"  Bring  me  the  captive  now! 
My  hands  feel  skillful,  and  the  shadows  lift 
From  my  waked  spirit  airily  and  swift, 
And  I  could  paint  the  bow 
Upon  the  bended  heavens — around  me  play 
Colors  of  such  divinity  to-day. 

Ha!  bind  him  on  his  back  ! 
Look  ! — as  Prometheus  in  my  picture  here! 
Quick — or  he  faints !  stand  with  the  cordial  near ! 

Now — bend  him  to  the  rack  ! 
Press  down  the  poison'd  links  into  his  flesh! 
And  tear  agape  that  healing  wound  afresh! 

So — let  him  writhe  !  How  long 
Will  he  live  thus?  Quick,  my  good  pencil,  now! 
What  a  fine  agony  works  upon  his  brow ! 

Ha  !  gray-haired,  and  so  strong  ! 
How  fearfully  he  stifles  that  short  moan ! 
Gods!  if  I  could  but  paint  a  dying  groan! 

"  Pity"  thee !  So  I  do  ! 
I  pity  the  dumb  victim  at  the  altar — 
But  does  the  rob'd  priest  for  his  pity  falter? 

I'd  rack  thee  though  I  knew 
A  thousand  lives  were  perishing  in  thine — 
What  were  ten  thousand  to  a  fame  like  mine? 

Yet  there's  a  deathless  name  ! 
A  spirit  that  the  smothering  vault  shall  spurn, 
And  like  a  steadfast  planet  mount  and  burn — 

And  though  its  crown  of  flame 
Consumed  my  brain  to  ashes  as  it  shone, 
By  all  the  fiery  stars!  I'd  bind  it  on! 

Ay — though  it  bid  me  ri  fle 
My  heart's  last  fount  for  its  insatiate  thirst — ' 
Though  every  life-strung  nerve  be  maddened  first ; 

Though  it  should  bid  me  stifle 
The  yearning  in  my  throat  for  my  sweet  child, 
And  taunt  its  mother  till  my  brain  went  wild- 
All — I  would  do  it  all — 
Sooner  than  die,  like  a  dull  worm,  to  rot — 
Thrust  foully  into  earth  to  be  forgot ! 

O  heavens — but  I  appal 

Your  heart,  old  man!  forgive ha!  on  your  lives 

Let  him  not  faint? — rack  him  till  he  revives! 

Vain — vain — give  o'er!    His  eye 


Glazes  apace.    He  does  not  feel  you  now — 
Stand  back  !  I'll  paint  the  death-dew  on  his  brow! 

Gods  !  if  he  do  not  die 
But  for  one  moment — one — till  I  eclipse 
Conception  with  the  scorn  of  those  calm  lips ! 

Shivering!  Hark!  he  mutters 
Brokenly  now — that  was  a  difficult  breath — 
Another  ?  AViJt  thou  never  come,  oh.  Death  ! 

Look  !  how  his  temples  flutter ! 
Is  his  heart  still  ?     Aha!  lift  up  his  head  ! 
He  shudders,  gasps,  Jove  help  him !  so,  lie's  dead- 
How  like  a  mounting  devil  in  the  heart 
Rules  the  unreigned  ambition  !  Let  it  once 
But  play  the  monarch,  ami  its  haughty  brow 
Glows  with  a  beauty  that  bewilders  thought, 
And  unthrones  peace  forever.    Putting  on 
The  very  pomp  of  Lucifer,  it  turns 
The  heart  to  ashes,  and  with  not  a  spring 
Left  in  the  bosom  for  the  spirit's  lip, 
We  look  upon  our  splendor  and  forget 
The  thirst  of  which  we  perish  ! 
O.  if  earth  be  all,  and  Heaven  nothing. 
What  thrice    mocked  fools  we  are  ! — Willis. 

NATURAL  HISTORY  OP  LOVE, 
Addressed  to  Dr.  Moyce  by  the  ladies. 

Dear  doctor,  let  it  not  transpire, 

How  much  your  lectures  we  admire ; 

How,  at  your  eloquence  we  wonder, 

When  you  explain  the  cause  of  thunder; 

Of  lightning,  and  electricity, 

With  so  much  plainness,  and  simplicity; 

The  origin  of  rocks,  and  mountains, 

Of  seas,  and  rivers,  lakes,  and  fountains; 

Of  rain,  and  hail,  and  frost,  and  snow, 

And  all  the  storms,  and  winds  that  blow ; 

Besides  a  hundred  wonders  more, 

Of  which  we  never  heard  before. 

But  now,  dear  doctor,  not  to  flatter, 

There  is  a  most  important  matter, 

A  matter  which  our  thoughts  run  much  on, 

A  matter,  which  you  never  touch  on, 

A  subject,  if  we  right  conjecture, 

That  well  deserves  a  long,  long  lecture, 

Which  all  the  ladies  would  approve, — 

Tlie  natural  history  of  love! 

Deny  us  not,  dear  doctor  Moyace ! 

Oh,  list  to  our  entreating  voice  ! 

Tell  us  why  our  poor,  tender  hearts, 

So  easily  admit  love's  darts. 

Teach  us  the  marks — of  love's  beginning, 

What  makes  us  think  a  beau  so  winning  ; 

What  makes  us  think  a  coxcomb,  witty, 

A  black  coat,  wise,  a  red  coat — pretty  ! 

Why  we  believe  such  horrid  lies, 

That  we  are  angels,  from  the  skies, 

Our  teeth  like  pearl,  our  cheeks  like  roses, 

Our  eyes  like  stars — such  charming  noses ! 

Explain  our  dreams,  awake,  and  sleeping, 

Explain  our  blushing,  laughing,  weeping. 

Teach  us,  dear  doctor,  if  you  can, 

To  humble  that  proud  creature,  man  ; 

To  turn  the  wise  ones  into  fools, 

The  proud  and  insolent  to  tools  ; 

To  make  them  all  run,  helter-skelter, 

Their  necks — into  the  marriage-halter: 

Then  leave  us  to  ourselves  with  these  ; 

We'll  turn  and  rule  them  as  we  please. 

Dear  doctor,  if  you  grant  our  wishes, 

"We  promise  you — five-hundred  kisses; 

And,  rather  than  the  affair  be  blundered, 

We'll  give  you — six-score  to  the  hundred. 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


275 


659.      SPEECH  OF   BELIAL,   DISSUADING    WAR. 

I  should  be  much  for  open  war,  oil  peers, 
As  not  behind  in  hale,  if  what  were  urged, 
Main  reason  to  persuade  immediate  war, 

Did  not  rftssuade  me  more,  and  seem  to  cast 
Omin  on  the  whole  success; 

When  he,  who  most  excels  in  tact  of  arms, 
In  what  he  counsels,  and  in  what  < 
Mistrustful,  grounds  his  courage  on  despair, 
And  utter  dissolution  as  the  scope 
Of  all  his  aim.  after  some  dire  revenge.         [filled 
what  revenge? — The  towers  of  heaven  are 
With  armed  watch,  that  render  all  access 
Impregnable :  oft,  on  the  bordering  i 
Encamp  their  legions:  or  with  obscure  wing, 
Scout  far  and  wide,  into  the  realms  of  night, 
Scorning  surprise.    Or  could  we  break  our  way 
By  force,  and  at  our  heels,  all  hell  should  rise, 
With  blackest  insurrection,  to  confound 
Heaven's  purest  light ;  yet  our  great  enemy, 
All  incorruptible,  would,  on  his  throne, 
Sit,  unpolluted;  and  the  etherial  mold, 
Incapable  of  stain,  would  soon  expel 
Her  mischief,  and  purge  off  the  baser  fire, 
Victorious.    Thus  repulsed,  our  final  hope — 
Is  flat  despair;  we  must  exasperate 
The  almighty  victor — to  spend  all  his  rage, 
And  that  must  end  us;  that — must  hi  our  cure, — 
To  be  no  more. — Sad  cure  ! — for  who  would  lose, 
Though  full  of  pain,  this  intellectual  being, 
Those  thoughts,  that  wander  through  eternity, — 
To  perish  rather,  swallowed  up,  and  lost, 
In  the  wide  tomb  of  uncreated  night, 
Devoid  of  sense,  and  motion  ? — And  ivhj  knows 
(Let  this  be  good)  whether  our  angry  foe 
Can  give  it,  or  will  ever?    How  he  can, 
Is  doubtful ;  that  he  never  will,  is  sure. 
Will  he,  so  wise,  let  loose  at  once  his  ire, 
Belike  through  impotence,  or  unawares, 
To  give  his  enemies  their  wish,  and  end 
Them  in  his  anger,  whom  his  anger  saves 
To  punish  endless? — "Wherefore  cease  ye  then?" 
Say  they,  who  counsel  war;  ':we  are  decreed, 
Reserved,  and  destined — to  eternal  wo  : 
Whatever  doing, — what  can  we  suffer  fnore, 
What  can  we  suffer  worse?"    Is  tfiis  then  worst, 
Thus  sitting,  thus  consulting,  thus  in  arms? 
What,  when  we  fled  amain,  pursued  and  struck 
With  heaven's  afflicting  thunder,  and  besought 
The  deep  to  shelter  us?  this  hell,  then,  seemed 
A  refuge — from  those  wounds!  or,  when  we  lay, 
Chained  on  the  burning  lake?  that  sure  was  worse. 
What  if  the  breath,  that  kindled  those  grim  fires, 
Awaked,  should  blow  them  into  seven-fold  rage, 
And  plunge  us  in  the  flames?  or,  from  above, 
Should  intermitted  vengeance — arm  again 
His  red]  irhl  hand  to  plague  us?  what  if  all 
Her  stores  were  opened,  and  this  firmament 
Of  hell — should  spout  her  cataracts  of  fire, 
Impending  horrors,  threatening  hideous  fall, 
One  day  upon  our  heads;  while  we,  perhaps, 
Designing,  or  exhorting  glorious  war, 
Caught  in  a  fiery  tempest,  shall  be  hurled, 
Each  on  his  rock  transfixed,  the  sport  and  prey 
Of  racking  whirlwinds  ;  or,  for  ever  sunk 
Under  yon  boiling  ocean,  wrapped  in  chains; 
There  to  converse — with  everlasting  groans, 


Unrespited,  unpitied,  anreprieved, 
Ages — of  hopeless  end? — this  would  be  worse. 
War,  therefore,  open  and  concealed,  alike 
My  voice  dissuades. — Milton. 

Pompeii.   How  serenely  slept  the  star-light 

on  that  lovely  city!  how  breathlessly  its  pil- 
lared streets  reposed  in  their  security  !  how 
softly  rippled  the  dark,  green  waves  beyond! 
bow  cloudless  spre  id  aloft  and  blue  the  dream- 
ing Campanian  skies!  Y<t  tins  was  the  last 
night  for  the  gay  Pompeii!  the  colony  of  the 
hoar  Chaldean !  the  fabled  city  of  Hercules! 
the  delight  of  the  voluptuous  Roman!  Age 
after  age  had  rolled  indistinctive,  unheeded, 
over  its  head:  and  now  the  last  ray  quivered 
on  the  dial  plate  of  its  doom ! 

660.    THE  beggar's  petition-. 
Pity  the  sorrows  |  of  a  poor  old  man,  [door ; 

Whose  trembling  limbs  |  have  borne  him  to  your 
Whose  days  are  dwindled  |  to  the  shortest  span ; 

Oh!  give  relief,  and  Heav'n  will  bless  your  store. 
These  tatter'cl  clothes  |  my  poverty  bespeak, 

These  hoary  'ocks  proclaim  my  lengthen'd  years; 
And  many  a  furrow  |  in  my  grief-worn  cheek, 

Has  been  the  channel  |  to  a  flood  of  tears. 
Yon  house,  erected  |  on  the  rising  ground, 

With  tempting  aspect  |  drew  me  from  my  road ; 
For  plenty  there  |  a  residence  has  found, 

And  grandeur  |  a  magnificent  abode. 
Hard  is  the  fate  |  of  the  infirm,  and  poor ! 

Here,  as  I  crav'd  |  a  morsel  of  their  bread, 
A  pamper'd  menial  |  drove  me  from  the  door, 

To  seek  a  shelter  |  in  an  humbler  shed. 
Oh !  take  me  |  to  your  hospitable  dome ; 

Keen  blows  the  wind,  |  and  piercing  is  the  cold ! 
Short  is  my  passage  |  to  the  friendly  tomb ; 

For  I  am  poor,  and  miserably  old. 
Should  I  reveal  the  sources  |  of  my  grief, 

If  soft  humanity  |  e'er  touch'd  your  breast, 
Your  hands  would  not  |  withhold  the  kind  relief, 

And  tears  of  pity  |  would  not  be  represt. 
Heav'n  sends  misfortunes :  why  should  we  repine  ? 

'Tis  Heav'n  has  bro't  me  |  to  the  state  you  see; 
And  your  condition  |  may  be  soon  like  mine, 

The  child  of  sorrow  |  and  of  misery. 
A  little  farm  |  was  my  paternal  lot ; 

Then,  like  the  lark,  I  sprightly  hail'd  the  morn ; 
But  ah !  oppression  |  fore'd  me  from  my  cot, 

My  cattle  died,  and  blighted  was  my  corn. 
My  daughter,  once  the  comfort  of  my  age, 

Lur'd  by  a  villain  |  from  her  native  home, 
Is  cast,  abandon'd,  on  the  world's  wide  stage, 

And  doom'd  |  in  scanty  poverty  to  roam. 
My  tender  wife,  sweet  soother  of  my  care ! 

Struck  with  sad  anguish  |  at  the  stern  decree, 
Fell,  ling'ring  fell,  a  victim  to  despair; 

And  left  the  world  j  to  wretchedness  and  me. 
Pity  the  sorrows  |  of  a  poor  old  man,  [door ; 

Whose  trembling  limbs  |  have  borne  him  to  your 
Whose  days  are  dwindled  |  to  the  shortest  span; 

Oh !  give  relief,  and  Heav'n  will  bless  your  store. 

Canst  thou  administer — to  a  mind  diseased  ? 
Pluck — from  the  memory — a  rooted  sorrow, 
Raze  out  the  written  troubles — of  the  brain : 
And  with  some  sweet — oblivious  antidote — 
Cleanse — the  stuffed  bosom — of  that  perilous  stuff, 
Which  weighs — upon  the  heart  ? 


276 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


G61.      CATO'S    SENATE. 

Cato.  Fathers,  we  once  again  are  met  in  coun- 
Cesars  approach  has  summon'd  us  together,  [cil. 
And  Rome  attends  her  fate  from  our  resolves. 
How  shaii  we  treat  this  bold  aspiring  man  1 
Success  still  follows  him,  and  backs  his  crimes. 
Pharsalia — gave  him  Koine  :  Egypt — has  since 
Received  his  yoke,  and  the  whole  Nile  is  Cesar's. 
Why  should  I  mention  Juba's  overthrow, 
And  Scipio's  death  J    Numidia's  burning  sands, 
Still  smoke  with  blood.     'Tis  time  we  should 

decree 
What  course  to  take.    Our  foe  advances  on  us, 
And  envies  us,  even  Libya's  sultry  deserts. 
Fathers,  pronounce  your  thoughts  :  are  they  still 
To  hold  it  out,  and  fight  it  to  the  last  1        [fixed 
Or,  are  your  hearts  subdued  at  length,  and  wro't, 
By  time  and  ill  success,  to  a  submission  1 
Sempronius,  speak. — 

Sempronius.     My  voice  is  still  for  war. 
Gods  !  can  a  Roman  senate  long  debate, 
Which  of  the  two  to  choose,  slavery,  or  death  ? 
No  ;  let  us  rise  at  once,  gird  on  our  swords, 
And,  at  the  head  of  our  remaining  troops, 
Attack  the  foe,  break  through  the  thick  array 
Of  his  thronged   legions,  and  charge  home  upon 
Perhaps  some  arm.  more  lucky  than  the  rest,  [him. 
May  reach  his  heart,  and  free  the  world — from 

bondage. 
Rise,  fathers,  rise!  'tis  Rome  demands  your  help; 
Rise,  and  revenge  her  slaughtered  ciiizens, 
Or  share  their  fate  !  The  corpse  of  half  her  senate 
Manure  the  fields  of  Thessaly,  while  we 
Sit  here,  deliberating  in  cold  debates, 
If  we  should  sacrifice  our  lives  to  honor, 
Or  wear  them  out  in  servitude,  and  chains. 
Rouse  up,  for  shame  !  our  brothers  of  Pharsalia 
Point  at  their  wounds,  and  cry  aloud — To  battle! 
Great  Pompei/s  shade — complains  that  we  are 
slow,  [us ! 

And  Scipio's  ghost — walks  unrevenged,  amongst 

Cato.    Let  not  a  torrent  of  impetuous  zeal — 
Transport  thee  thus,  beyond  the  bounds  of  rea- 
True  fortitude  is  seen,  in  great  exploits,       [son  : 
That  justice  warrants,  and  that  wisdom  guides  : 
All  else  is  towering  frenzy  and  distraction. 
Are  not  the  lives  of  those,  who  draw  the  sword, 
In  Rome's  defence,  intrusted  to  our  care  f 
Should  we  thus  lead  them  to  a  field  of  slaughter, 
Might  not  the  impartial  world,  wilh  reason,  say, 
We  lavished  at  our  deaths,  the  blood  of  thousands, 
To  grace  our  fall,  and  make  our  ruin  glorious  ; 
Lucius,  we  next  would  know  what's  your  opinion, 

Lucius.      My  thoughts,  I  must  confess,  are 
turned  on  peace. 
Already,  have  our  quarrels  filled  the  world — 
With  widows  and  with  orphans:  Scythia  mourns 
Our  guilty  wars,  and  earth's  remotest  regions — 
Lie  half-unpeopled,  by  the  feuds  of  Rome:  [kind. 
'Tis  time  to  sheathe  the  sword,  and  spare  man- 
It  is  not  Cesar,  but  the  gods,  my  fathers, 
The  gods  declare  against  us.  and  repel 
Our  vain  attempts.     To  urge  the  foe  to  battle, 
(Prompted  by  blind  revenge,  and  wild  despair,) 
Were  to  refuse  the  awards  of  Providence, 
And  not  to  rest  in  Heaven's  determination. 
Already  have  we  shown  our  love  to  Rome  ; 
Now,  let  us  show  submission  to  the  gods. 
We  took  up  arms,  not  to  revenge  ourselves, 
But  free  the  commonwealth  ;  when  this  end  fails, 
Arms  have  no  further  use  :  our  country's  cause, 
That  drew  our  swords,  now  wrests  'era  from  our 
And  bids  us  not  delight  in  Roman  blood,  [hands, 
TJnprofitahly  shed  ;  what  men  could  do — 
Is  done  already  :  heaven  and  earth — will  witness, 
If — Rome — must — fall,  that  we  are  innocent. 

Semp.  This  smooth  discourse,  and  mild  behav- 
Conceala  traitor — something  whispers  me[ioroft 
All  is  not  right — Cato  beware  of  Lucius. 

Cato.  Let  us  appear — nor  rash,  nor  diffident: 
Immoderate  valor— swells  into  a  fault ; 
And  fear,  admitted  into  public  councils, 


Betrays— like  treason.    Let  us  shun  'em  both. 
Fathers,  I  cannot  see  that  our  affairs    [round  us ; 
Are  grown  thus  desperate  :  we  have  bulwarks 
Within  our  walls,  are  troops — inured  to  toil, 
In  Afric's  heats,  and  seasoned  to  the  sun  ; 
Numidia's  spacious  kingdom  lies  behind  us, 
Ready  to  rise,  at  its  young  prince's  call. 
While  there  is  hope,  do  not  distrust  the  gods  ; 
But  wait,  at  least,  till  Cesar's  near  approach 
Force  us  to  yield.     'Twill  never  be  too  late 
To  sue  for  chains,  and  own  a  conqueror. 
Why  should  Rome  fall  a  moment,  ere  her  time  ? 
No,  let  us  draw  her  term  of  freedom  out, 
In  its  full  length,  and  spin  it  to  the  last. 
So,  shall  we  gain  still  one  day's  liberty  ; 
And  let  me  perish  ;  but,  in  Cato's  judgment, 
A  day,  an  hour,  of  virtuous  liberty, 
Is  worth  a  whole  eternity — in  bondage. — Addison. 

662.  God  in  Nature. — There  is  religion 
in  every  thing  around  us — a  calm  and  holy 
religion,  in  the  unbreathing  things  of  nature, 
which  man  would  do  well  to  imitate.  It  is  a 
meek  and  blessed  influence,  stealing  in  as  it 
were,  unawares  upon  the  heart.  It  comes 
quietly,  and  without  excitement.  It  has  no 
terror,  no  gloom  in  its  approaches.  It  does 
not  rouse  up  the  passions ;  it  is  untrammeled 
by  the  creeds,  ana  unshadowed  by  the  super- 
stitions of  man.  It  is  fresh  from  the  hands  of 
its  author,  glowing  from  the  immediate  pres- 
ence of  the  Great  Spirit,  which  pervades  and 
quickens  it. 

It  is  written  on  the  arched  sky.  It  looks 
out  from  every  star.  It  is  on  the  sailing 
cloud,  and  in  the  invisible  wind.  It  is  among 
the  hills  and  valleys  of  the  earth — where  the 
shrubless  mountain-top — pierces  the  thin  at- 
mosphere of  eternal  winter — or  where  the 
mighty  forest  fluctuates,  before  the  strong 
wind,  with  its  dark  waves  of  green  foliage.  It 
is  spread  out  like  a  legible  language,  upon 
the  broad  face  of  the  unsleeping  ocean.  It  is 
the  poetry  of  nature.  It  is  this  which  uplifts 
the  spirit  within  us,  until  it  is  strong  enough 
to  overlook  the  shadows  of  our  place  of  pro- 
bation ;  which  breaks,  link  after  link,  the 
chain  that  binds  us  to  materiality ;  and 
which  opens  to  our  imagination  a  world  of 
spiritual  beauty  and  holiness. 

PLAY-PLACE   OF   EARLY   DAYS. 

Be  it  a  weakness,  it  deserves  some  praise, 
We  love  the  play-place  of  our  early  days  ; 
The  scene  is  touching,  and  the  heart  is  stone, 
That  feels  not  at  that  sight,  and  feels  at  none. 
The  wall  on  which  we  tried  our  graving  skill, 
The  very  name  we  carv'd  subsisting  still ; 
The  bench  on  which  we  sat  while  deep  employ'd, 
Though  mangled,  hacked,  and  hewed,  not  yet 

destroyed ; 
The  little  ones,  unbutton'd,  glowing  hot, 
Playing  our  games,  and  on  the  very  spot ; 
As  happy  as  we  once,  to  kneel  and  draw 
The  chalky  ring,  and  knuckle  down  at  taw  ; 
To  pitch  the  ball  into  the  grounded  hat, 
Or  drive  it  devious  with  a  dextrous  pat ; 
The  pleasing  spectacle  at  once  excites 
Such  recollection  of  our  own  delights, 
That,  viewing  it,  we  seem  almost  t'  obtain 
Our  innocent,  sweet,  simple  years  again. Cowptr. 
Come  sleep,  O  sleep,  the  certain  knot  of  peace, 

The  baiting-place  of  wit,  the  balm  of  wo; 
The  poor  man's  wealth,  the  prisoner's  release, 

Th'  indifferent  j  udge  between  the  high  and  low. 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


277 


663.      PATRICK   IIENRY'S  SPEECH,   1775. 

No  man— thinks  more  highly,  than  /  do,  of  the 
patriotism,  as   well  as  the  abilities,  of  the   VI  i\ 
worthy  gentlemen,  who  have  just  addressed  the 
lint,  different  men — often  see   the   same 
ghtsj  and  therefore,  I  hope  it 
wp«  tful  to  those  gentlemen, 
if,  entertaining,  as  I  do,  opinions  of  a  character 
to  theirs,  I  should  speak   forth  my 
sentiments— freely,  and  without  reserve.    This,  sir, 
is  no  time  for  ceremony.    The  question  before  the 
house  is  one  of  awful  moment  to  this  country.    For 
my  part.  I  consider  it  as  nothing  less  than  a  ques- 
l  a  :  and  in  proportion  to  the 
the  subject,  ought  to  be  the  freedom 
of  debute.     It  is  only  in  this  way  we  can  hope  to 
arrive  al  truth,  and  fulfill  the  great  responsibility 
which  we  hold  to  God,  and  to  our  country.    Were 
I   to  withhold   my  sentiments,  at  such  a  time  as 
this,  through  t'  ar  of  giving  offence,  I  should  consi- 
guilty  of  treason  toward  my  country, 
and  of  an  act  of  disloyalty  toward  the  Majesty  of 
!i  ;  whom  I  revere  above  all  earthly  kings. 
!'  is  natural  for  man — to  indulge  in  the  illusions 
of  hope.     We  are  apt  to  shut  our  eyes  against  a 
painful  truth  J  and  listen — to  the  song  of  that  syren, 
transforms  us— -into  beasts,    lathis — the  part 
of  wist  in    i.  engaged  in  a  great  and  arduous  strug- 
gle for  liberty  ?     Are  we  disposed  to  he  of  the 
number  of  those,  who,  having  eyes,  see  not,  and 
not,  the  things,  which  so  nearly 
o  their  temporal  salvation?    For  my  part, 
whatever  anguish  ofspir.it  it  may  cost,  I  am  willing 
to  know  the  whole  truth ;  to  know  the  worst,  and  to 
for  it. 
I   have  but  one  lamp,  by  which  my  feet  are 
:  and  that — is  the  lamp — of  experience.    I 
know  of  no  way  of  judging  of  the  future,  but  by 
the  past.     And.  judging  by  the  past,  I  wish  to 
know  what  there  has  been,  in  the  conduct  of  the 
British  ministry,  for  the  last  ten  years,  to  justify 
those  hopes,  with  which  gentlemen   have   been 
pleased  to  solace  themselves,,  and  the  house?    Is  it 
that  insidious  smile,  with  which  our  petition  has 
been  lately  received?  Trust  it  not,  sir ;  it  will  prove 
a  snare — to  your  feet.     Suffer  not  yourselves  to  be 
I  with  a  kiss.    Ask  yourselves — how  this 
gracious  reception  of  our  petition — comports  with 
those  warlike  preparations,  which  cover  our  wa- 
ters, and  darken  our  land.    Are  fleets,  and  armies, 
necessary  to  a  work  of  love,  and  reconciliation  ? 
Have  we  shown  ourselves  so  unwilling  to  be  re- 
conciled, that  force  must  be  called  in  to  win  back 
our  love?    Let  us  not  deceive  ourselves,  sir.   These 
are  the  implements  of  war,  and  subjugation — the 
last  arguments — to  which  kings   resort.    I   ask, 
what  means  this  martial  array,  if 
its  purpose  be  not  to  force  us  to  submission?    Can 
sign  any  other,  possible  motive  for  it? 
•     at  Britain  any  enemy,  in  this  quarter  of 
orld,  to  call  for  all  this  accumulation  of  na- 
vies, and   armies?    No  sir,  she  has  none.    They 
ant  for  us  :  they  can  be  meant  for  no  other. 
are  sent  over — to  bind,  and  rivet  upon  us, 
tains,  which  the  British  ministry  have  been 
f,     And  what  have  we  to  oppose  to 
them?    Shall   we  try  argument?    Sir,  we  have 
bi  en  trying  that  for  the  last  ten  years.    Have  we 
r  upon  the  subject?     Nothing. 
We  have  held  the  subject  up  in  Wen/ light  of  which 
it  is  capable;  but  it  has  been  all  in  vain.    Shall 
■'a,  and  humble   supplication? 
What  terms  .-'.all  we  find,  which  have  not  been 
i  '     Lei   us  not,  I  beseech  you, 
longer.     Sir,  we  have  done 
everyth  '       done,  to  avert  the  storm, 

which  is  now 'coming  on.  We  have  petitioned; 
we  have  remonstrated;  we  have  supplicated;  we 
have  pro  ited  ourselves  before  the  throne,  and 
have  IMPLORED  its  interposition — to  arrest  the  ty- 
rannical hands  of  the  ministry,  and  parliament. 
Our  petitions  —  have  been  slighted;  our  remon- 
strances— have  produced  additional  violence  and 


insult;  our  supplications  have  been  disregarded  , 
and  we  have  been  spurned,  with  contempt,  from 
the  loot  of  the  throne.  In  vain,  after  these  things, 
may  we  indulge  the  fond  hope  of  peace,  and  recon- 
ciliation. There  is  no  longer  any  room  for  hope. 
Ii  we  wish  to  befree;  if  we  mean  to  preserve,  in- 
violate, those  inestimable  privileges,  for  which  we 
have  been  so  long  contending ;  if  we  mean  not 
basely  to  abandon  the  noble  struggle,  in  which 
we  have,  been  so  long  engaged,  and  which  we 
have  pledged  ourselves,  never  to  abandon,  until  the 
glorious  object  of  our  contest  shall  be  obtained — 
we  must  fight!  I  repeal  it ! — sir,  we  must  fight  ! 
An  appeal  to  arms,  and  to  the  God  of  hosts,  is  all 
that  is  left  us.  They  tell  us,  sir,  that  we  are  weak  , 
unable  to  cope — with  so  formidable  an  adversary 
But  when — shall  we  be  stronger?  Will  it  be  the 
next  week,  or  the  next  year?  Will  it  be — when 
we  are  totally  disarmed,  and  when  a  British  guard 
shall  be  stationed  in  every  house?  Shall  we  ga- 
ther strength — by  irresolution,  and  inaction?  Shall 
we  acquire  the  means  of  effectual  resistance,  by 
lying  supinely  on  our  backs,  and  hugging  the  de- 
lush  e  phantom  of  hope,  until  our  enemies  shall  have 
bound  us — hand — and  foot?  Sir,  we  are  -not  weak, 
if  we  make  a  proper  use  of  those  means,  which 
the  Goil  of  nature  hath  placed  in  our  power. 
Three  millions — of  people,  armed — in  the  holy  cause 
of  liberty,  and  in  such  a  country  as  that  which 
we  possess,  are  invincible,  by  any  force,  which 
our  enemy  can  send  against  us.  Besides,  sir,  we 
shall  not  fight  our  battles  alone.  There  is  a  just 
God, — who  presides  over  the  destinies  of  nations, 
and  who  will  raise  up  friends  to  fight  our  battles 
for  us.  The  battle,  sir,  is  not  to  the  strong — alone; 
it  is  to  the  vigilant,  the  active,  the  brave.  Besides, 
sir,  we  have  no  election.  If  we  were  base  enough  to 
desire  it,  it  is  now  too  toe— to  retire  from  the  contest. 
There  is  no  retreat, but  in  submission  and  slavery.' 
Our  chains  are  forged.  Their  clanking — may  be 
heard  on  the  plains  of  Boston!  The  war  is  inevit- 
able—and  let  it  come  ! — I  repeat  it,  sir,  let  it  come  ! 
It  is  vain,  sir,  to  extenuate  the  matter.  Gentle- 
men may  cry— peace— peace — but  there  is  no 
peace.  The  war  is  actually  begun!  The  next 
gale,  that  sweeps  from  the  north,  will  bring  to  our 
ears  the  clash  of  resounding  arms!  Our  brethren- 
are  already  in  the  field  !  Why  stand  we  here  idle! 
What  is  it,  that  gentlemen  wish?  tvhat  would  they 
have?  Is  life — so — dear,  or  peace — so  sweet,  as  to 
be  purchased — at  the  price  of  chains — and  slavery? 
Forbid  it,— Almighty  God. — I  know  not  —  what 
course  others  may  lake, — but,  as  tor  me,  give  me 
LIBERTY, — or  give  me — death  !" 

664.      AMERICA. 

Still  one  great  clime,  in  full  and  free  defiance, 
Yet  rears  her  crest,  unconquer'd  and  sublime, 
Above  the  fair  Atlantic!  she  has  taught 
Her  Esau  brethren  that  the  haughty  flag, 
The  floating  fence  of  Albion's  feebler  crag,  [bought 
May  strike  to  those  whose  red  right  hands  have 
Rights  cheaply  eam'd  with  blood.  Still,  still,  forever 
Better,  though  each  man's  life-blood  were  a  river, 
That  it  should  flow,  and  overflow,  than  creep 
Through  thousand  lazy  channels  in  our  veins, 
Damm'd  like  the  dull  canal,  with  locks  and  chains, 
And  moving,  as  a  sick  man  in  his  sleep, 
Three  paces,  and  then  faltering : — better  be 
Where  the  extinguish'd  Spartans  still  are  free, 
In  their  proud  charnel  of  Thermopylae, 
Than  stagnate  in  our  marsh, — or  o"er  the  deep 
Fly,  and  one  current  to  the  ocean  add, 
One  spirit  to  the  souls  our  fathers  had, 
One  freeman  more,  America,  to  thee  ! — Byron. 

Of  the  Dread  of  Reform.    The  true  and  only 
reason,  for  not  attempting  a  reform  of  the  state  of 
things  is,  that  the  interest  of  corruption — requires 
them  to  remain  as  they  are. 
2A 


878 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


<)(*.>.       FOOTSTEPS   OF    ANGELS. 

When  the  hours  of  Day  are  numbered, 

And  the  voices  of  the  Night 
Wake  the  better  soul  that  slumbered 

To  a  holy,  calm  delight — 
Ere  the  evening  lamps  are  lighted, 

And,  like  phantoms  gTim  and  tall, 
Shadows  from  the  fitful  fire-light 

Dance  upon  the  parlor-wall — 
Then  the  forms  of  the  departed 

Entei  at  the  open  door  ; 
The  beloved-one,  the  true-hearted, 

Come  to  visit  me  once  more ! 
He,  the  young  and  strong,  who  cherished 

Noble  longings  for  the  strife — 
By  the  road-side  fell  and  perished, 

Weary  with  the  march  of  life ! 
They,  the  holy  ones  and  weakly, 

Who  the  cross  of  suffering  bore — 
Folded  their  pale  hands  so  meekly — 

Spake  with  us  on  earth  no  more ! 
And  with  them  the  being  beauteous 

Who  unto  my  youth  was  given, 
More  than  all  things  else  to  love  me, 

And  is  now  a  saint  in  heaven. 
With  a  slow  and  noisless  footstep 

Comes  that  messenger  divine, 
Takes  the  vacant  chair  beside  me, 

Lays  her  gentle  hand  in  mine  ; 
And  she  sits  and  gazes  at  me, 

With  those  deep  and  tender  eyes, 
Like  the  stars,  so  still  and  saint-like, 

Looking  downward  from  the  skies. 
Uttered  not,  yet  comprehended, 

Is  the  spirit's  voiceless  prayer — 
Soft  rebukes,  in  blessings  ended, 

Breathing  from  her  lips  of  air. 
Oh  !  though  oft  depressed  and  lonely, 

All  my  fears  are  laid  aside, 
If  I  but  remember  only 

Such  as  these  have  lived  and  died  ! 

G66.  The  Wat  to  be  Happy.  All  man- 
kind are  brethren.  Every  human  being,  who 
comes  in  our  way,  and  stands  in  need  of  our 
aid,  is  entitled  to  our  sympathy.  Human  na- 
ture, and  distress,  form  a  legitimate  claim  to 
our  friendly  assistance.  We  are  not  to  with- 
hold our  brotherly  affection,  from  any  of  our 
fellow  men,  because  an  imaginary  line,  a  riv- 
er, a  ridge  of  mountains,  or  a  channel  of  the 
ocean,  may  have  separated  their  birth-place 
from  ours;  because  their  manners,  customs, 
and  political  institutions  are  not  the  same 
with  our  own ;  because,  by  reason  of  differ- 
ence of  climate,  and  manner  of  life,  their 
skin  is  tinged  with  a  different  color;  because 
they  offer  their  tribute  of  homage — to  the 
Creator  in  a  different  manner;  or,  because 
there  is  some  difference,  or  shade  of  differ- 
ence, between  their  religious  rites,  and  opin- 
ions, and  ours. 

The  sentiment  of  universal  benevolence — 
expands  the  heart,  humanizes  the  mind,  and 
fosters  every  generous  affection ;  but  jealousy, 
malacc,  hatred,  and  other  malignant  pas- 
sions— pervert  the  soul,  and  cramp,  and  viti- 
ate— the  best  feelings  of  our  nature.  They 
wage  war  with  every  manly,  and  liberal  prin- 


ciple. Instead  of  sweeping  the  globe,  with 
the  guilty  purpose  of  oppressing  the  weak, 
robbing  the  defenceless,  exciting  the  sound 
of  lamentation  in  the  humble  hut,  and  draw- 
ing fortli  the  tears  of  the  widow,  and  the  or- 
phan, let  us  do  what  is  in  our  power — to  pro- 
mote the  happiness  of  our  fellow  men.  In 
the  genuine  spirit  of  brotherly  affection,  let 
us  smoke  the  pipe  of  peace — with  the  untu- 
tored wanderer  of  the  western  wilderness — 
or,  partake  of  bread,  and  salt,  with  the  hardy 
native  of  the  African  desert. 

Mankind  often  complain,  that  they  are  un- 
happy ;  that  they  tread  in  a  thorny  path,  and 
drink  of  a  bitter  stream.  But  whence  do 
their  sufferings,  and  sorrows  flow '!  Do  they 
not,  in  a  great  measure,  proceed  from  their 
own  selfish,  and  malignant  passions'!  Re- 
move the  cause,  and  the  fffect  will  disappear. 
Banish  malice,  envy,  hatred ;  let  genuine 
good-will  towards  each  other  prevail,  and  a 
great  portion  of  human  misery  —  will  fade 
away,  like  darkness — before  the  rising  sun. 
It  will  dissipate  the  gloom,  which  often  clouds 
the  countenance,  and  remove  the  grief,  which 
often  preys  upon  the  heart. — Fergus. 

EDUCATION. 

If  thou  hast  plucked  a  flower 

Of  richest,  rarest  ray, 
And  borne  it  from  its  garden  bower, 

Thou  knowest  't  will  fade  away  : 
If  thou  hast  gathered  gold, 

Unrusted  and  refined, 
That  glittering  hoard  of  worth  untold, 

Thou  knowest  the  thief  may  find. 
There  is  a  plant  that  fears 

No  adverse  season's  strife, 
But  with  an  inborn  fragrance  cheers 

The  wintry  eye  of  life  ; 
There  is  a  wealth  that  fo  ds 

The  robber's  roving  eye, 
The  guerdon  of  the  mind  that  toils 

For  immortality. 
O  ye,  whose  brows  are  bright, 

Whose  bosoms  feel  no  thorn, 
Seek  knowledge,  by  the  rosy  light 

Of  youth's  unfolding  morn  ; 
With  ardor  uncontrolled, 

Seek  wisdom's  lore  sublime, 
And  win  the  garland,  and  the  gold 

That  cannot  change  with  time. — Sigourney 

THE   LAND   OF   BEST. 

Oh,  when — shall  I  go  to  that  land 

Where  spirits — beatified  dwell  ? 
Oh,  when  shall  I  join  their  bright  band, 

And  bid  to  this  earth — a  farewell? 
I  am  weary  of  life — and  its  care, 

I  am  weary  of  life  and  its  woe, 
Oh,  when  to  that  country  so  fair, 

To  that  country  unknown,  shall  I  go? 
A  soft  yellow  light  fills  the  air 

Of  that  land,  which  I  long  to  behold  ;  [there, 
And  the  faces   and  forms — of  the  saints  who  are 

Are  clothed — in  its  lustre  of  gold. 
Like  angels  they  look — as  they  move, 

And  like  angels  they  pass  the  sweet  hours  ; 
For  they  are  not  mortals,  but  spirits,  who  rove 

In  the  light  of  those  beautiful  bowers. 
Face  to  face  the  truth  comes  out 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


279 


667.  The  Pf.hff.ctO;'  vtoti.  Imagine  to 
yourselves — a  Demosthenes,  addressing  the 
most  illustrious  assembly  in  the  world,  upon 
a  point,  whereon  the  fate  of  the  most  illustri- 
ous of  nations  depended.  How  awful  such  a 
meeting!  how  vast  the  subject!  By  the 
power  of  his  eloquence,  the  augustness  of  the 
'  ly  is  lost — in  the  dignity  of  the  orator; 
and  the  importance  of  the  subject,  for  a  while, 
superseded  hy  the  admiration  of  his  talents. 

With  what  strength  of  argument,  with  what 
powers  ol'  the  fumy,  with  what  emotions  of 
the  heart,  does  he  assault,  and  subjugate,  the 
whole  man  ;  and,  at  once,  captivate  his  rea- 
son, his  imagination,  and  his  passions!  To 
effect  this,  must  he  the  utmost  effort  of  the 
most  ini]  roved  state  of  human  nature.  Not 
a  faculty  that  he  possesses,  but  is  here  exerted 
to  its  highest  pitch.  All  his  internal  powers 
are  at  work ;  all  his  external,  testify  their  en- 
ergies. 

Within,  the  memory,  the  fancy,  the  judg- 
ment, the  passions,  are  all  busy;  without, 
every  muscle,  every  nerve  is  exerted;  not  a 
feature,  not  a  limb,  but  speaks.  The  organs 
of  the  body,  attuned  to  the  exertions  of  the 
mind,  thro'  the  kindred  organs  of  the  hearers, 
instantaneously  vibrate  those  energies — from 
soul  to  soul.  Notwithstanding  the  diversity 
of  minds,  in  such  a  multitude,  by  the  light- 
ning of  eloquence,  they  are  melted  into  one 
mass ;  the  whole  assembly,  actuated  in  one 
and  the  same  way,  become,  as  it  were,  but  one 
man,  and  have  but  one  voice.  The  universal 
cry  is — Let  us  march  against  Philip,  let  us 
fight  for  our  liberties — let  us  conquer,  or  die. 

66S.      WIFE,   CHILDREN.    AND   FRIENDS. 
When  the  black-letter'd  list  to  the  gods  was  presented, 

The  list  of  what  fate  for  each  mortal  intends, 
At  the  long  string  of  ills  a  kind  goddess  relented, 

And  slipp'd  in  three  blessings,  wife,  children,  and  friends. 
In  vain  surly  Pluto  declared  he  was  cheated, 

And  justice  divine  could  not  compass  her  ends, 
The  scheme  of  man's  penance  he  swore  was  defeated, 

For  earth  becomes  heaven  with  wife,  children,  and  friends. 
If  the  stock  of  our  bliss  is  in  stranger  hands  rested, 

The  fund,  ill-secured,  oft  in  bankruptcy  ends, 
But  the  heart  issues  bills,  which  are  never  protested, 

When  drawn  on  the  firm  of— wife,  children,  and  friends. 
The  soldier,  whose  deeds  live  immortal  in  story, 

Wbfin  duty  to  far  distant  latitudes  sends, 
With  transport  would  barter  whole  ages  of  glory, 

For  one  happy  hour  with  wife,  children,  and  friends. 
Though  valor  still  glows  in  life's  waning  embers, 

The  death-wounded  tar,  who  his  colors  defends, 
Drops  a  tear  of  regret,  as  he  dying  remembers, 

How  blest  was  his  home,  with  wife,  children,  and  friends. 
Though  the  spice-breathing  gale,  o'er  his  caravan  hovers, 

Though  around  him  Arabia's  whole  fragrance  descends, 
The  merchant  still  thinks  of  the  woodbine  that  covers 

The  bower  where  he  sat  with  wife,  children,  and  friends. 
The  day-spring  of  youth,  still  unclouded  with  sorrow, 

Alone  on  itself  for  enjoyment  depends, 
But  drear  is  the  twilight  of  age,  if  it  borrow 

No  warmth  from  the  smiles  of  wife,  children  and  friends. 
Let  the  breath  of  renown  ever  freshen  and  nourish 

The  laurel  that  o'er  her  fair  favorites  bends, 
O'er  me  wave  the  willow,  and  long  may  it  flourish, 

Bedew'd  with  the  tears  of  wife,  children,  and  friends. 

Friendship  is  constant  in  all  other  things, 

Save  in  the  office  and  affairs  oflove: 

Therefore,  all  hearts  in  love  use  their  own  tongues. 

Let  every  eye  negotiate  for  itself, 

And  trust  no  agent :  for  beauty  is  a  witch, 

Against  whose  charms  faith  melteth  into  blood. 


669.      TIME— NEW   YEAR. 

'Tis  midnight's  holy  hour;  and  silence,  now, 
Is  brooding,  like  a  gentle  spirit,  o'er  [winds, 

The   still— and   pulseless   world.     Hark !   on  the 
The  bell's  deep  tones  are  swelling:  'tis  the  knell 
Of  the  departed — year.     No  funeral  train 
Is  sweeping  past;  yet,  on  the  stream,  and  wood, 
With  melancholy  light,  the  moonbeam's  rest, 
Like  a  pale,  spotless  shroud  :  the  air  is  stirred, 
As  by  a  mourner's  sigh  ;  and,  on  yon  cloud, 
That  floats  so  still,  and  placidly,  through  heaven, 
The  spirits — of  the  seasons — seem  to  stand,  [form, 
Young  Spring,  bright  Summer,  Autumn's  solemn 
And  Winter,  with  bis  aged  locks,  and  breath, 
In  mournful  cadence,  that  come  abroad, — 
Like  the  far  wind-harp's  wild,  and  touching  wail, 
A  melancholy  dirge — o'er  the  dead  year — 
Gone — from  the  earth — forever. 

Tis  a  time 
For  memory1,  and  tears.    Within  the  deep, 
Still  chambers  of  the  heart,  a  spectre  dim, 
Whose  tones — are  like  the  wizard's  voice  of  Time, 
Heard  from  the  tomb  of  ages,  points  its  cold — 
And  solemn  finger — to  the  beautiful 
And  holy  visions,  that  have  passed  away, 
And  left  no  shadow  of  their  loveliness, 
On  the  dead  waste  of  life.    That  spectre — lifts 
The  coffin-lid  of  Hope,  and  Joy,  and  Love, 
And,  bending,  mournfully,  above  the  pale,  [flowers 
Sweet  forms,  that   slumber   there,  scatters  dead 
O'er  what  has  passed — to  nothingness.    The  year 
Has  gone,  and,  with  it,  many  a  glorious  throng 
Of  happy  dreams.    Its  mark — is  on  each  brow, 
Its  shadow — in  each  heart.    In  its  swift  course, 
It  waved  its  sceptre  o'er  the  beautiful — 
And  they  are  not.    It  laid  its  palid  hand 
Upon  the  strong  man — and  the  haughty  form — 
Is  fallen,  and  the  flashing  eye — is  dim. 
It  trod  the  hall  of  revelry,  where  thronged 
The  bright  and  joyous — and  the  tearful  wail — 
Of  stricken  ones — is  heard,  where  erst,  the  song, 
And  reckless  shout — resounded.    It  passed  o'er 
The  baltle-plain,where  sword, and  spear;and shield 
Flashed— in  the  light  of  mid-day — and  the  strength 
Of  serried  hosts  is  shivered,  and  the  grass, 
Green  from  the  soil  of  carnage,  waves  above 
The  crushed,  and  mouldering  skeleton.    It  came, 
And  faded,  like  a  wreath  of  mist,  at  eve; 
Yet,  ere  it  melted  in  the  viewless  air, 
It  heralded  its  millions — to  their  home — 
In  the  dim  land — of  dreams. 

Looking  into  the  fire  is  very  injurious  to  the 
eyes,  particularly  a  coal  fire.  The  stimulus  of 
light  and  heat  united,  soon  destroys  the  eyes. 
Looking  at  molten  iron  will  soon  destroy  the 
sight.  Reading  in  the  twilight  is  injurious  to 
the  eyes,  as  they  are  obliged  to  make  great  ex- 
ertion. Reading  or  sewing  with  a  side  light, 
injures  the  eyes,  as  both  eyes  should  be  ex- 
posed to  an  equal. degree  of  light.  The  reason 
is,  the  sympathy  between  the  eyes  is  so  great, 
that  if  the  pupil  of  one  is  dilated  by  being  kept 
partially  in  the  shade,  the  one  that  is  most  ex- 
posed cannot  contract  itself  sufficiently  for 
protection,  and  will  ultimately  be  injured. 
Those  who  wish  to  preserve  their  sight,  should 
preserve  their  general  health  by  correct  habits, 
and  give  their  eyes  just  work  enough,  with  a 
due  degree  of  light. 


280 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


670.  America.  I  appeal  to  history  !  Tell 
me,  thou  reverend  chronicler  of  the  grave, 
can  all  the  illusions  of  ambition  realized,  can 
all  the  wealth  of  a  universal  commerce,  can 
all  the  achievements  of  successful  heroism,  or 
can  all  the  establishments  of  this  world's  wis- 
dom, secure  to  the  empire,  the  permanency 
of  its  possessions '!  Alas !  Troy  thought  so 
once ;  jet  the  land  of  Priam  lives  only  in  song ! 

Thebes  thought,  so  once;  yet  her  hundred 
gates  have  crumbled,  and  her  very  tombs  are 
as  the  dust  they  were  vainly  intended  to  com- 
memorate !  So  thought  Palmyra — yet  where 
is  she  1  So  thought  the  country  of  Demos- 
thenes and  the  Spartan;  yet  Leonidas  is 
trampled  by  the  timid  slave,  and  Athens  in- 
sulted by  the  servile,  mindless  and  enervate 
Ottoman  ! 

In  Ins  hurried  march,  Time  has  but  looked 
at  their  imagined  immortality;  and  all  its 
vanities,  from  the  palace  to  the  tomb,  have, 
with  their  ruins,  erased  the  very  impression 
of  his  footsteps !  The  days  of  their  glory  are 
as  if  they  never  had  been;  and  the  island, 
that  was  then  a  speck,  rude  and  neglected  in 
the  barren  ocean,  now  rivals  the  ubiquity  of 
their  commerce,  the  glory  of  their  arms,  the 
fame  of  their  philosophy,  the  eloquence  of 
their  senate,  and  the  inspiration  of  their 
bards ! 

Who  shall  say,  then,  contemplating  the 
past,  that  England,  proud  and  potent  as  she 
appears,  may  not,  one  day,  be  what  Athens 
is,  and  the  young  America  yet  soar  to  be 
what  Athens  was !  Who  shall  say,  that, 
when  the  European  column  shall  have  mould- 
ered, and  the  night  of  barbarism  obscured  its 
very  ruins,  that  mighty  continent  may  not 
emerge  from  the  horison  to  rule,  for  its  time, 
sovereign  of  the  ascendant ! — Phillips. 

671*      THE   POWER  OF   ELOQUENCE. 

Heard  ye — those  loud — contending  waves, 

That  shook — Cecropia's  pillared  state? 
Saw  ye  the  mighty,  from  their  graves 

Look  up.  and  tremble  at  her  fate? 
Who — shall  calm  the  angry  storm? 
Who,  the  mighty  task  perform, 

And  bid  the  raging  tumult — cease? 
See  the  son  of  Hermes  rise ; 
With  syren  tongue,  and  speaking  eyes, 

Hush  the  noise,  and  soothe  to  peace  ! 

Lo  !  from  the  regions  of  the  north, 

The  reddening  storm  of  battle  pours; 
Robs  along  the  trembling  earth, 

Fastens — on  Olynthian  towers. 
"Where  rests  the  sword :  where  sleep  the  brave, 
Awake  !  Cecropia's  ally  save, 

From  the  fury  of  the  blast ; 
Burst  the  storm  on  Phocis'  walls; 
Rise  !  or  Greece  forever  falls, 

Up :  or  freedom— breathes  her  last !" 
The  jarring  states,  obsequious  now, 

View  the  paniot's  hand  on  high; 
Thunder — gathering  on  his  brow  ; 

Lightning — Hashing  from  his  eye! 
Borne  by  the  tide  of  words  along, 
One  vo;ci\  one  mind,  inspire  the  throng: 

11  To  arras  !  to  arms  !  to  arms !"  they  cry, 
"Grasp  the  shield,  and  draw  the  sword, 
Lead  us  to  Philippi's  lord, 

Let  us  conquer  him — or  die  !" 
Ah  eloquence  !  thou  wast  undone  ; 

Wast  from  thy  native  country  driven, 
When  tyranny — eclipsed  the  sun, 

And  blotted  out  the  stars  of  heaven. 
When  liberty,  from  Greece  withdrew, 
And  o'er  the  Adriatic  flew, 


To  where  the  Tiber  pours  his  urn, 
She  struck  the  rude  Tarpeian  rock; 
Sparks  were  kindled  by  the  shock — 

Agaui,  thy  fires  began  to  burn ! 

Now,  shining  forth,  thou  madest  complaint, 

The  conscript  fathers — to  thy  charms; 
Roused  the  world-bestriding  giant, 

Sinking  fast,  in  slavery's  arms ! 
I  see  thee  stand — by  freedom's  fane, 
Pouring  the  persuasive  strain, 

Giving  vast  conceptions  birth  : 
Hark  !  I  hear  thy  thunder's  sound, 
Shake  the  forum — round — and  round, 

Shake — the  pillars — of  the  earth  ! 

First-born  of  liberty  divine! 

Put  on  religion's  bright  array  ; 
Speak  !  and  the  starless  grave — shall  shine, 

The  portal — of  eternal  day ! 
Rise,  kindling  with  the  orient  beam; 
Let  Calvary's  hill — inspire  the  theme ! 

Unfold  the  garments — rolled  in  blood! 
O  touch  the  soul,  touch  all  her  chords, 
AVith  all  the  omnipotence  of  words, 

And  point  the  way  to  heaven — to  God. — Carey. 

The  Influence  of  Gold.    A  man  who 

is  furnished  with  arguments  from  the  mint, 
will  convince  his  antagonist  much  sooner 
than  one  who  draws  them  from  reason  and 
philosophy.  Gold  is  a  wonderful  clearer  of 
the  understanding  ;  it  dissipates  every  doubt 
and  scruple  in  an  instant ;  accommodates  it- 
self to  the  meanest  capacities ,  silences  the 
loud  and  clamorous,  and  brings  over  the  most 
obstinate  and  inflexible.  Philip  of  Macedon 
was  a  man  of  most  invincible  reason  this 
way.  He  refuted  by  it  all  the  wisdom  of 
Athens,  confounded  their  statesmen,  struck 
their  orators  dumb,  and  at  length,  argued 
them  out  of  all  their  liberties. — Addison. 

THE   WORLD   TO   COME. 

If  all  our  hopes,  and  all  our  fears, 

Were  prisoned — in  life's  narrow  bound ; 
If  travelers— through  this  vale  of  tears, 

We  saw  no  better  world  beyond  ; 
Oh  !  what  could  check  the  rising  sigh  ? 

What  earthly  thing — could  pleasure  give? 
Oh  !  who  would  venture  then,  lo  die — 

Or  who  would  venture  then — to  live  ? 
Were  life  a  dark,  and  desert  moor, 

Where  mists— and  clouds  eternal— spread 
Their  gloomy  vail  behind,  before, 

And  tempests  thunder — overhead ; 
Where  not  a  sun-beam— breaks  the  gloom, 

And  not  a  floweret — smiles  beneath, 
Who  would  exist— in  such  a  tomb — 

Who  dwell  in  darkness— and  in  death  ? 
And  such  were  life,  without  the  ray 

Of  our  divine  religion  given ; 
'Tis  this,  that  makes  our  darkness,  day, 

'Tis  this,  that  makes  our  earth — a  heaven ! 
Bright  is  the  golden  sun  above, 

And  beautiful— the  flowers,  that  bloom, 
And  all  is  joy,  and  all  is  love, 

Reflected — from  the  world  to  come ! 
Life  is  a  weary  interlude — 
Which  doth  short  joys,  long  woes  include  : 
The  world  the  stage,  the  prologue  tears ; 
The  acts  vain  hope3  and  varied  fears; 
The  scene  shuts  up  with  loss  of  breath, 
And  leaves  no  epilogue  but  death !—  H.  King. 
The  stomach,  hath  no  ears. 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


281 


672.  Military  Despotism  and  Insub- 
ordination. Mr.  Chairman, — I  trust,  that 
I  shall  be  indulged,  with  some  few  reflections, 
upon  the  danger — of  permitting  the  conduct, 
on  which  it  has  been  my  painful  duty  to  ani- 
madvert, to  pass,  without  a  solemn  expression 
of  the  disapprobation  of  this  house.  Recall  to 
your  recollection,  sir,  the  free  nations,  which 
nave  gone  before  us.    Where  are  they  now  1 

"Gone,  glimmering  through  the  dream  of  things  that  were; 
A  schoolboy's  tale, — the  wonder  of  an  hour." 

And  how  have  they  lost  their  liberties?  If 
we  could  transport  ourselves  back,  sir,  to  the 
ages  when  Greece,  and  Rome,  nourished,  in 
their  greatest  prosperity,  and,  mingling  in  the 
throng,  should  ask  a  Grecian,  if  he  did  not 
fear,  that  some  daring  military  chieftain,  cov- 
ered  with  glory,  some  Philip,  or  Alexander, 
would  one  day  overthrow  the  liberties  of  his 
country, — the  confident,  and  indignant  Gre- 
cian would  exclaim,  No !  no !  we  have  nothing 
to  fear  from  our  heroes  ,■  our  liberties  will  be 
eternal.  If  a  Roman  citizen  had  been  asked, 
if  he  did  not  fear,  that  the  conqueror  of  Gaul 
might  establish  a  throne  upon  the  ruins  of 
public  liberty,  he  would  have  instantly  repel- 
led the  unjust  insinuation.  Yet,  Greece— lias 
fallen ;  Cesar — has  passed  the  rubicon ;  and 
the  patriotic  arm  even  of  Brutus — could  not 
preserve  the  liberties  of  his  devoted  country. 

Sir,  we  are  fighting  a  great  moral  battle  for 
the  benefit,  not  only  of  our  country,  but  of  all 
mankind.  The  eyes  of  the  whole  world  are 
in  fixed  attention  upon  us.  One,  and  the 
largest  portion  of  it,  is  gazing  with  jealousy, 
and  with  envy;  the  other  portion,  with  hope, 
with  confidence,  and  with  affection.  Every 
where — the  black  cloud  of  legitimacy  is  sus- 
pended over  the  world,  save  only  one  bright 
spot,  which  breaks  out  from  the  political  hem- 
isphere of  the  west,  to  enlighten,  and  animate, 
and  gladden  the  human  heart.  Obscure  that, 
by  the  downfall  of  liberty  here,  and  all  man- 
kind— are  enshrouded — in  a  pall  of  universal 
darkness.  Beware,  then,  sir,  how  you  give  a 
fatal  sanction,  in  this  infant  period  of  our  re- 
public, to  military  insubordination.  Remem- 
ber, that  Greece — had  her  Alexander,  Rome 
her  Cesar,  England — her  Cromwell,  France 
her  Bonaparte,  and,  that  if  we  would  escape 
the  rock,  on  which  they  split,  we  must  avoid 
their  errors. 

I  hope,  sir,  that  gentlemen  will  deliberately 
survey  —  the  awful  isthmus,  on  which  we 
stand.  They  may  bear  down  all  opposition. 
They  may  even  vote  general  Jackson  the  pub- 
lic thanks.  They  may  carry  him  triumphant- 
ly through  this  house.  But,  if  they  do,  sir,  in 
my  humble  judgment,  it  will  be  a  triumph  of 
the  principle  of  insubordination — a  triumph 
of  the  military — over  the  civil  authority — a 
triumph  over  the  powers  of  this  house — a  tri- 
umph over  the  constitution  of  the  land ;  and 
I  pray,  sir,  most  devoutly,  that  it  may  not 
prove,  in  its  ultimate  effects  and  consequen- 
ces, a  triumph  over  the  liberties  of  the  people. 

THE  EARTH  HAS  BEEN  ALL  ALIVE. 

What  is  the  world  itself?  thy  world? — a  grave  ! 
Where  is  the  dust  that  has  not  been  alive? 
The  spade,  the  plow,  disturb  our  ancestors, 
From  human  mold  we  reap  our  daily  bread; 
The  globe  around  earth's  hollow  surface  shakes, 
And  is  the  ceiling  of  her  sleeping  sons: 
O'er  devastation  we  blind  revels  keep; 
Whole  buried  towns  support  the  dancer's  heel. 
36  2a2 


673.      THE   FRENCHMAN   AND   HIS   nOsf. 

A  Frenchman  once,  who  was  a  merry  wight, 
Passing  to  town  from  Dover  in  the  night, 
Near  the  roadside  an  ale-house  chanced  to  spy: 
And  being  rather  tired  as  well  as  dry, 
Resolved  to  enter ;  but  first  he  took  a  peep, 
In  hopes  a  supper  he  might  get,  and  cheap. 
He  enters:  "Hallo!  Garcon,  if  you  please, 
Bring  me  a  little  bit  of  bread  and  cheese. 
And  hallo !  Garcon,  a  pot  of  porter  too  !"  he  said, 
'•  Vich  I  shall  take,  and  den  myself  to  bed."     [left, 

His  supper  done,  some  scraps  of  cheese  were 
Which  our  poor  Frenchman,  thinking  it  no  theft, 
Into  his  pocket  put;  then  slowly  crept 
To  wished-for  bed;  but  not  a  wink  he  slept — 
For,  on  the  floor,  some  sacks  of  flour  were  laid, 
To  which  the  rats  a  nightly  visit  paid. 

Our  hero  now  undressed,  popped  out  the  light, 
Put  on  his  cap  and  bade  the  world  good-night; 
But  first  his  breeches,  which  contained  the  fare, 
Under  his  pillow  he  had  placed  with  care. 

Sans  ceremonie,  soon  the  rats  all  ran, 
And  on  the  flour-sacks  greedily  began ;      [round, 
At  which  they  gorged  themselves ;  then  smelling 
Under  the  pillow  soon  the  cheese  they  found; 
And  while  at  this  they  regaling  sat, 
Their  happy  jaws  disturbed  the  Frenchman's  nap ; 
Who,  half  awake,  cries  out,  "Hallo!  hallo! 
Vat  is  dat  nibbel  at  my  pillow  so? 
Ah!  'tis  one  big  huge  rat ! 
Vat  de  diable  is  it  he  nibbel,  nibbel  at?" 

In  vain  our  little  hero  sought  repose ; 
Sometimes  the  vermin  galloped  o'er  his  nose; 
And  such  the  pranks  they  kept  up  all  the  night, 
That  he,  on  end  antipodes  upright, 
Bawling  aloud,  called  stoutly  for  a  light. 
"Hallo!  Maison!  Garcon,  I  say ! 
Bring  me  the  bill  for  vat  I  have  to  pay !" 
The  bill  was  brought,  and  to  his  great  surprise, 
Ten  shillings  was  the  charge,  he  scarce  believes 
With  eager  haste,  he  runs  it  o'er,  [his  eyes: 

And  ever)'  time  he  viewed  it  thought  it  more. 
"Vy  zounds,  and  zounds!"  he  cries,  "I  sail  no  pay; 
Vat  charge  ten  shelangs  for  vat  I  have  mange? 
A  leetal  sup  of  porter,  dis  vile  bed, 
Vare  all  de  rats  do  run  about  my  head  ?" 
"  Plague  on  those  rats!"  the  landlord  muttered  out ; 
"I  wish,  upon  my  word,  that  I  could  make  'em 

scout : 
I'll  pay  him  well  that  can."    "  Vat's  dat  you  say  ?" 
"I'll  pay  him  well  that  can."    "Attend  to  me,  I 
Vil  you  dis  charge  forego,  vat  I  am  at,        [pray  : 
If  from  your  house  I  drive  away  de  rat?" 
"With  all  my  heart,"  the  jolly  host  replies, 
"  Ecoutez  done,  ami ;"  the  Frenchman  cries. 
"  First,  den— Regardez,  if  you  please, 
Bring  to  dis  spot  a  leetle  bread  and  cheese  : 
Eh  bien !  a  pot  of  portar  too ; 
And  den  invite  de  rats  to  sup  vid  you: 
And  after — no  matter  dey  be  villing — 
For  vat  dey  eat.  you  charge  dem  just  ten  shelang : 
And  I  am  sure,  ven  dey  behold  de  score, 
Dey'll  quit  your  house,  and  never  come  no  more." 
How  beautiful — is  the  swiftly  passing  light — 
On  the  calm  cloud  of  eve  !     'Tis  sweet— to  mark 
Those  color'd  folds— float  round  the  setting  sun, 
Like  crimson  draper)- — o'er  a  monarch's  throne. 


282 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


674.  Loss  of  National  Character. 
The  loss  of  a  firm,  national  character,  or  the 
degradation  of  a  nation's  honor,  is  the  inevi- 
table prelude  to  her  destruction.  Behold  the 
once  proud  fabric  of  the  Roman  empire;  an 
empire,  carrying  its  arts,  and  arms,  into  every 
part  of  the  eastern  continent ;  the  monarchs 
of  mighty  kingdoms,  dragged  at  the  wheels 
of  her  triumphal  chariots ;  her  eagle,  waving 
over  the  ruins  of  desolated  countries.  Where 
is  her  splendor,  her  wealth,  her  power,  her 
glory  1  Extinguished — forever.  Her  mold- 
ering  temples,  the  mournful  vestiges  of  her 
former  grandeur,  afford  a  shelter  to  her  mut- 
tering monks.  Where  are  her  statesmen,  her 
sages,  her  philosophers,  her  orators,  her  gene- 
rals ?  Go  to  their  solitary  tombs,  and  inquire. 
She  lost  her  national  character,  and  her  de- 
struction followed.  The  ramparts  of  her  na- 
tional pride  were  broken  down,  and  Vandal- 
ism desolated  her  classic  fields. 

Citizens  will  lose  their  respect  and  confi- 
dence, in  our  government,  if  it  does  not  ex- 
tend over  them,  the  shield  of  an  honorable, 
national  character.  Corruption  will  creep  in, 
and  sharpen  party  animosity.  Ambitious 
leaders  will  seize  upon  the  favorable  moment. 
The  mad  enthusiasm  for  revolution — will 
call  into  action  the  irritated  spirit  of  our  na- 
tion, and  civil  war  must  follow.  The  swords 
of  our  countrymen  may  yet  glitter  on  our 
mountains,  their  blood  may  yet  crimson  our 
plains. 

Such,  the  warning  voice  of  all  antiquity,  the 
example  of  all  republics  proclaim — may  be 
our  fate.  But  let  us  no  longer  indulge  these 
gloomy  anticipations.  The  commencement 
of  our  liberty  presages  the  dawn  of  a  brighter 
period  to  the  world.  That  bold,  enterprising 
spirit,  which  conducted  our  heroes  to  peace, 
and  safety,  and  gave  us  a  lofty  rank,  amid 
the  empires  of  the  world,  still  animates  the 
bosoms  of  their  descendants.  Look  back  to 
the  moment,  when  they  unbarred  the  dun- 
geons of  the  slave,  and  dashed  his  fetters 
to  the  earth,  when  the  sword  of  a  Washing- 
ton leaped  from  its  scabbard,  to  revenge  the 
slaughter  of  our  countrymen.  Place  their 
example  before  you.  Let  the  sparks  of 
their  veteran  wisdom  flash  across  your 
minds,  and  the  sacred  altars  of  your  liber- 
ty, crowned  with  immortal  honors,  rise  be- 
fore you.  Relying-  on  the  virtue,  the  cour- 
age, the  patriotism,  and  the  strength  of  our 
country,  we  may  expect  our  national  charac- 
ter will  become  more  energetic,  our  citizens 
more  enlightened,  and  may  hail  the  age  as 
not  far  distant,  when  will  be  heard,  as  the 
proudest  exclamation  of  man:  I  am  an 
American. — Maxcy. 

The  bell  strikes  one  :  We  take  no  note  of  time, 
But  from  its  loss.     To  give  it  then  a  tongue, 
Is  wise  in  man.    As  if  an  angel  spoke, 
I  feel  the  solemn  sound.    If  heard  aright, 
It  is  the  knell  of  my  departed  hours:  [flood? 

Where  are  they'!  with  the   years  beyond  the 
It  is  the  signal  that  demands  despatch  ; 
How  much  is  to  be  done  !  my  hopes  and  fears 
Start  tip  alarm'd,  and  o'er  life's  narrow  verge 
Look  down— on  what  ?  a  fathomless  abyss ; 
A  dread  eternity  !  how  surely  mine  ! 
And  can  eternity  belong  to  me, 
Poor  pensioner  on  the  bounties  of  an  hour'? 
Reason  gains  all  men,  by  compelling  none. 


675.      GOOD-NIGHT. 

Good-night— to  all  the  world  !  there's  none, 
Beneath  the  "over-going"  sun, 
To  whom,  I  feel,  or  hate,  or  spite, 
And  so  to  all — a  fair  good-night. 
Would  I  could  say,  good-night  to  pain, 
Good-night  to  evil  and  her  train, 
To  cheerless  poverty,  and  shame, 
That  I  am  yet  unknown  to  fame  ! 
Would  I  could  say,  good-night  to  dreams, 
That  haunt  me  with  delusive  gleams, 
That  through  the  salle  future's  vail, 
Like  meteors,  glimmer,  but  to  fail. 
Would  I  could  say,  a  long  good-night, 
To  halting,  between  wrong,  and  right, 
And,  like  a  giant,  with  new  force, 
Awake,  prepared  to  run  my  course  ! 
But  time  o'er  good  and  ill  sweeps  on, 
And  when  few  years  have  come,  and  gone, 
The  past — will  be  to  me  as  naught, 
Whether  remembered,  or  forgot. 
Yet,  let  me  hope,  one  faithful  friend, 
O'er  my  last  couch,  in  tears  shall  bend  ; 
And,  though  no  day  for  me  was  bright, 
Shall  bid  me  then,  a  long  good-night. 

Respect  to  Old  Age.  It  happened  at 
Athens,  during  a  public  representation  of 
some  play,  exhibited  in  honor  of  the  common- 
wealth, that  an  old  gentleman  came  too  late, 
for  a  place  suitable  to  his  age,  and  quality. 
Many  of  the  young  gentlemen,  who  observed 
the  difficulty  and  confusion  he  was  in,  made 
signs  to  him,  that  they  would  accommodate 
him,  if  he  came  where  they  sat.  The  good 
man  bustled  through  the  crowd  accordingly ; 
but  when  he  came  to  the  seat,  to  which  he 
was  invited,  the  jest  was,  to  sit  close,  and  ex- 
pose him,  as  he  stood  out  of  countenance,  to 
the  whole  audience.  The  frolic  went  round 
all  the  Athenian  benches.  But,  on  those  oc- 
casions, there  were  also  particular  places  re- 
served for  foreigners.  When  the  good  man 
skulked  towards  the  boxes,  appointed  for  the 
Lacedemonians,  that  honest  people,  more  vir- 
tuous than  polite,  rose  up  all  to  a  man,  and 
with  the  greatest  respect,  received  him  among 
them.  The  Athenians,  being  suddenly  touch- 
ed with  a  sense  of  the  Spartan  virtue,  and 
their  own  degeneracy,  gave  a  thunder  of  ap- 
plause ;  and  the  old  man  cried  out,  "  the  Athe- 
nians understand what  is  good,  but  the  Lace- 
demonians practice  it. 

FORTUNE-TELLER. 

A  hungry,  lean-fac'd  villain, 

A  mere  anatomy,  a  mountebank, 

A  thread-bare  juggler,  and  a  fortune  teller  ; 

A  needy,  hollow-eye'd,  sharp  looking  wretch, 

A  living  dead  man :  this  pernicious  slave, 

Forsooth,  took  on  him  as  a  conjurer; 

And  gazing  in  my  eyes,  feeling  my  pulse, 

And  with  no  face,  as  'twere  outfacing  me, 

Cries  out,  I  was  possess'd. — Shakspeare. 

RECREATION. 

Sweet  recreation  barr'd,  what  doth  ensue, 
But  moody  and  dull  melancholy, 
(Kinsman  to  grim  and  comfortless  despair;) 
And  at  her  heels,  a  huge  infectious  troop 
Of  pale  distemperatures,and  foes  to  life? 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


283 


676.    the  groves:  god's  first  temples. 
The  groves — were  God's  first  temples.    Ere  man 
To  hew  the  shaft,  and  lay  the  architrave,  [learned 
And  spread  the  roof  above  them, — ere  he  framed 
The  lofty  vault,  to  gather,  and  roll  back, 
The  sound  of  anthems, — in  the  darkling  wood, 
Amidst  the  cool  and  silence,  he  knelt  down, 
And  offered,  to  the  Mightiest,  solemn  thanks, 
And  supplication.    For  his  simple  heart 
Might  not  resist  the  sacred  influences, 
That,  from  the  stilly  twilight  of  the  place, 
And  from  the  gray  old  trunks,  that,  high  in  heav'n, 
Mingled  their  mossy  boughs,  and  from  the  sound 
Of  the  invisible  breath,  that  swayed,  at  once, 
All  their  green  tops,  stole  over  him,  and  bowed 
His  spirit — with  the  thought  of  boundless  Power, 
And  inaccessible  Majesty.    Ah!  why 
Should  we,  in  the  world's  riper  years,  neglect 
God's  ancient  sanctuaries,  and  adore, 
Only,  among  the  crowd,  and  under  roofs, 
That  our  frail  hands  have  raised  ?  Let  me,  at  least, 
Here,  in  the  shadow  of  this  aged  wood, 
Offer  one  hymn ;  thrice  happy,  if  it  find 
Acceptance  in  his  ear. 

Father,  thy  hand 
Hath  reared  these  venerable  columns ;  thou 
Didst  weave  this  verdant  roof.  Thou  didst  look  down 
Upon  the  naked  earth,  and,  forthwith,  rose 
All  these  fair  ranks  of  trees.    They,  in  thy  sun, 
Budded,  and  shook  their  green  leaves  in  thy  breeze, 
And  shot  towards  heav'n.  The  century-living  crow, 
Whose  birth  was  in  their  tops,  grew  old,  and  died, 
Among  their  branches ;  till,  at  last,  they  stood, 
As  now  they  stand,  massy,  and  tall,  and  dark — 
Fit  shrine — for  humble  worshiper  to  hold 
Communion  with  his  Maker.     Here  are  seen, 
No  traces  of  man's  pomp,  or  pride;  no  silks 
Rustle,  no  jewels  shine,  nor  envious  eyes 
Encounter;  no  fantastic  carvings — show 
The  boast  of  our  vain  race — to  change  the  form 
Of  thy  fair  works.    But  thou  art  here ;  thou  fill'st 
The  solitude.    Thou  art  in  the  soft  winds, 
That  run  along  the  summits  of  these  trees, 
In  music ;  thou  art  in  the  cooler  breath, 
That,  from  the  inmost  darkness  of  the  place, 
Comes,  scarcely  felt;  the  barky  trunks, the  ground, 
The  fresh,  moist  ground,  are  all  instinct  with  thee. 

Here,  is  continual  worship ;  nature,  here, 
In  the  tranquillity  that  thou  dost  love, 
Enjoys  thy  presence.    Noiselessly,  around, 
From  perch  to  perch,  the  solitary  bird 
Passes ;  and  yon  clear  spring,  that,  midst  its  herbs. 
Wells  softly  forth,  and  visits  the  strong  roots 
Of  half  the  mighty  forest,  tells  no  tale 
Of  all  the  good  it  does.    Thou  hast  not  left 
Thyself  without  a  witness,  in  these  shades, 
Of  thy  perfections.  Grandeur,  strength,  and  gTace, 
Are  here  to  speak  of  thee.    This  mighty  oak — 
By  whose  immovable  stem  I  stand,  and  seem 
Almost  annihilated — not  a  prince, 
In  all  the  proud  old  world,  beyond  the  deep, 
E'er  wore  his  crown — as  loftily  as  he 
Wears  the  gTeen  coronal  of  leaves,  with  which 
Thy  hand  has  graced  him.    Nestled  at  his  root 
Is  beauty,  such  as  blooms  not  in  the  glare 
Of  the  broad  sun.    That  delicate  forest-flower, 
With  scented  breath,  and  look,  so  like  a  smile, 


Seems,  as  it  issues  from  the  shapeless  mould, 
An  emanation  of  the  indwelling  Life, 
A  visible  token — of  the  upholding  Love, 
That  are,  the  soul  of  this  wide  universe. 

My  heart — is  awed  within  me,  when  I  think 
Of  the  great  miracle  that  still  goes  on, 
In  silence,  round  me — the  perpetual  work 
Of  thy  creation,  finished,  yet  renewed — 
Forever.    Written  on  thy  works,  I  read 
The  lesson  of  thy  own  eternity. 
Lo !  all  grow  old,  and  die :  but  see,  again, 
How,  on  the  faltering  footsteps  of  decay, 
Youth  presses — ever  gay,  and  beautiful  youth — 
In  all  its  beautiful  forms.    These  lofty  trees 
Wave  not  less  proudly,  that  their  ancestors 
Moulder,  beneath  them.     Oh  !  there  is  not  lost 
One  of  earth's  charms :  upon  her  bosom  yet, 
After  the  flight  of  untold  centuries, 
The  freshness  of  her  far  beginning  lies, 
And  yet  shall  lie.    Life — mocks  the  idle  hate 
Of  his  arch  enemy — Death;  yea,  seats  himself 
Upon  the  sepulchre,  and  blooms,  and  smiles, 
And  of  the  triumphs  of  his  ghastly  foe, 
Makes  his  own  nourishment.    For  he  came  forth 
From  thine  own  bosom,  and  shall  have  no  end. 

There  have  heen  holy  men,  who  hid  themselves 
Deep  in  the  woody  wilderness,  and  gave 
Their  lives  to  thought,  and  prayer,  till  they  outlived 
The  generation,  born  with  them,  nor  seemed 
Less  aged,  than  the  hoary  trees,  and  rocks, 
Around  them;  and  there  have  been  holy  men, 
Who  deemed  it  were  not  well — to  pass  life  thus. 
But  let  me,  often,  to  these  solitudes 
Retire,  and,  in  thy  presence,  reassure 
My  feeble  virtue.    Here,  its  enemies, 
The  passions,  at  thy  plainer  footsteps,  shrink, 
And  tremble,  and  are  still. 

O  God !  when  thou 
Dost  scare  the  world  with  tempests,  set  on  fire 
The  heavens,  with  falling  thunderbolts,  or  fill, 
With  all  the  waters  ofthc  firmament, 
The  swift,  dark  whirlwind,  that  uproots  the  woods, 
And  drowns  the  villages;  when,  at  thy  call, 
Uprises  the  great  deep,  and  throws  himself 
Upon  the  continent,  and  overwhelms 
Its  cities ; — who  forgets  not,  at  the  sight 
Of  these  tremendous  tokens  of  thy  power, 
His  pride,  and  lays  his  strifes,  and  follies  by! 
Oh !  from  the  sterner  aspects  of  thy  face 
Spare  me.  and  mine  ;  nor  let  us  need  the  wrath 
Of  the  mad,  unchained  elements,  to  teach 
Who  rules  them.    Be  it  ours  to  meditate, 
In  these  cahn  shades,  thy  milder  majesty, 
And  to  the  beautiful  order  of  thy  works, 
Learn  to  conform  the  order  of  our  lines. — Bryant. 
Naturally,  men  are  prone  to  spin  them- 
selves a  web  of  opinions  out  of  their  own 
brain,  and  to  have  a  religion  that  may  be  cal- 
led their  own.    Men  are  far  readier  to  make 
themselves  a  faith,  than  to  receive  that  which 
God  hath  formed  to  their  hands,  and  they  are 
far  readier  to  receive  a  doctrine  that  tends  to 
their  carnal  commodity,  or  honor,  or  delights, 
than  one  that  tends  to  self-denial. 

Like  dogs  in  a  wheel,  birds  in  a  cage,  or  squir- 
rels in  a  chain,  ambitious  men  still  climb  and 
climb,  with  great  labor,  and  incessant  anxiety, 
but  never  reach  the  top. 


284 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


677.  Physical  Education.  That  is,  un- 
doubtedly, the  wisest,  and  best  regimen, 
which  takes  the  infant  from  the  cradle,  and 
conducts  him  along,  through  childhood,  and 
youth,  up  to  high  maturity,  in  such  a  manner, 
as  to  give  strength  to  his  arm,  swiftness  to  his 
feet,  solidity  and  amplitude  to  his  muscles, 
symmetry  to  his  frame,  and  expansion  to  his 
vital  energies.  It  is  obvious,  that  this  branch 
of  education  comprehends,  not  only  food  and 
clothing,  but  air,  exercise,  lodging,  early  ri- 
sing, and  whatever  else  is  requisite,  to  the  full 
development  of  the  physical  constitution. 
The  diet  must  be  simple,  the  apparel  must 
not  be  too  warm,  nor  the  bed  too  soft. 

Let  parents  beware  of  too  much  restriction 
in  the  management  of  their  darling  boy.  Let 
him,  in  choosing  his  play,  follow  the  sugges- 
tions of  nature.  Let  them  not  be  discompos- 
ed at  the  sight  of  his  sand-hills  in  the  road, 
his  snow-forts  in  February,  and  his  mud-dams 
in  April;  nor  when  they  chance  to  look  out 
in  the  midst  of  an  August  shower,  and  see 
him  wading  and  sailing,  and  sporting  along 
with  the  water-fowl.  If  they  would  make 
him  hardy  and  fearless,  they  must  let  him  go 
abroad  as  often  as  he  pleases,  in  his  early 
boyhood,  and  amuse  himself  by  the  hour  to- 
gether, in  smoothing  and  twirling  the  hoary 
locks  of  winter,  instead  of  keeping  him 
shut  up  all  day  with  a  stove,  and  graduating 
his  sleeping-room  by  Fahrenheit,  they  must 
let  him  face  the  keen  edge  of  a  north-wind, 
when  the  mercury  is  below  cipher;  and,  in- 
stead of  minding  a  little  shivering,  and  com- 
plaining, when  he  returns,  cheer  up  his  spir- 
its, and  send  him  out  again.  In  this  way, 
they  will  teach  him,  that  he  was  not  born  to 
live  in  the  nursery,  nor  to  brood  over  the  fire ; 
but  to  range  abroad,  as  free  as  the  snow,  and 
the  air,  and  to  gain  warmth  from  exercise. 

I  love,  and  admire  the  youth,  who  turns 
not  hack  from  the  howling  wintry  blast,  nor 
withers  under  the  blaze  of  summer;  who 
never  magnifies  "  mole-hills  into  mountains ;" 
but  whose  daring  eye,  exulting,  scales  the  ea- 
gle's airy  crag,  and  who  is  ready  to  under- 
take anything,  that  is  prudent,  and  lawful, 
within  the  range  of  possibility.  Who  would 
think  of  planting  the  mountain-oak — in  a 
green-house '!  or  of  rearing  the  cedar  of  Leb- 
anon— in  a  lady's  flower-pot'!  Who  does 
not  know  that,  in  order  to  attain  their  mighty 
strength,  and  majestic  forms,  they  must  free- 
ly enjoy  the  rain,  and  the  sunshine,  and  must 
feel  the  rocking  of  the  tempest  1 

THE    CHASE. 

The  stag,  at  eve,  had  drunk  his  fill, 

Where  danced  the  moon,  on  Monan's  rill, 

And  deep — his  midnight  lair  had  made, 

In  lone  Glenartney's  hazel  shade  ; 

But,  when  the  sun — his  beacon  red 

Had  kindled,  on  Benvoirlich's  head, 

The  deep-mouthed  bloodhound's  heavy  bay 

Resounded  up  the  rocky  way, 

And  faint  from  farther  distance  borne, 

Were  heard  the  clnnginghoof,  and  horn. 

As  chief,  who  hears  his  warder  call, 

"To  arms!  the  foeman  storm  the  wall," 

The  antlered  monarch  of  the  waste — 

Sprung  from  his  heathery  couch,  in  haste. 

But,  ere  his  fleet  career  he  took, 

The  dew-drops,  from  his  flanks,  he  shook : 

Like  crested  leader,  proud,  and  high, 


Tossed  his  beamed  frontlet — to  the  sky ; 

A  moment — gazed — adown  the  dale, 

A  moment — snuffed  the  tainted  gale, 

A  moment,  listened  to  the  cry, 

That  thickened — as  the  chase  drew  nigh ; 

Then,  as  the  headmost  foes  appeared, 

With  one  brave  bound — the  copse  he  cleared| 

And,  stretching  forward,  free,  and  far, 

Sought  the  wild  heaths— of  Uam-Var.— Scott. 

678.   MODULATION. 

'Tis  not  enough — the  voice  be  sound,  and  clerr, 
'Tis  modulation,  that  must  charm  the  ear. 
When  desperate  heroes  grieve,  with  tedious  moan, 
And  whine  their  sorrows,  in  a  see-saw  tone, 
The  same  soft  sounds — of  unimpassioned  woes, 
Can  only  make  the  yawning  hearers — doze. 
The  voice — all  modes  of  passion  can  express, 
That  marks  the  proper  word,  with  proper  stress  : 
But  none  emphatic — can  that  speaker  call, 
Who  lays  an  equal  emphasis — on  all. 
Some,  o'er  the  tongue — the  labored  measures  roll, 
Slow,  and  deliberate — as  the  parting  toll; 
Point  every  stop,  mark  every  pause  so  strong, 
Their  words,  like  stage  processions,  stalk  along. 
All  affectation — but  creates  disgust; 
And  e'en  in  speaking,  we  may  seem  too  just. 
In  vain,  for  them,  the  pleasing  measure  flows, 
Whose  recitation — runs  it  all  to  prose; 
Repealing — what  the  poet  sets  not  down, 
The  verse  disjointing — from  its  favorite  noun, 
While  pause,  and  break,  and  repetition  join 
To  make  a  discord — in  each  tuneful  line. 
Some  placid  natures — fill  the  allotted  scene 
With  lifeless  drawls,  insipid  and  serene  ; 
While  others — thunder  every  couplet  o'er, 
And  almost  crack  your  ears — with  rant,  and  roar 
More  nature,  oft,  and  finer  strokes  are  shown, 
In  the  low  whisper,  than  tempestuous  tone ; 
And  Hamlet's  hollow  voice,  and  fixed  amaze, 
More  powerful  terror — to  the  mind  conveys, 
Than  he,  who,  swollen  with  impetuous  rage, 
Bullies  the  bulky  phantom  of  the  stage. 
He,  who,  in  earnest,  studies  o'er  his  part, 
Will  find  true  nature — cling  about  his  heart. 
The  modes  of  grief — are  not  included  all — 
In  the  white  handkerchief,  and  mournful  drawl ; 
A  single  look — more  marks  the  internal  woe, 
Than  all  the  windings  of  the  lengthened — Oh! 
Up  to  the  face — the  quick  sensation  flies, 
And  darts  its  meaning — from  the  speaking  eyes: 
Love,  transport,  madness,  anger,  scorn,  despair, 
And  all  the  passions,  all  the  soul  is  there. 

nature's  wants  are  few. 
Man's  rich  with  little,  were  his  judgment  true ; 
Nature  is  frugal,  and  her  wants  are  few; 
Those  few  wants  answered,  bring  sincere  delights, 
But  fools  create  themselves  new  appetites. 
Fancy  and  pride  seek  things  at  vast  expense, 
Which  relish  nor  to  treason  nor  to  sense. 
When  surfeit  or  unthankfulness  destroys, 
In  nature's  narrow  sphere,  our  solid  joys, 
In  fancy's  airy  land  of  noise  and  show, 
Where  nought  but  dreams,  no  real  pleasures  grow, 
Like  cats  in  air-pumps,  to  subsist  we  strive, 
On  joys  too  thin  to  keep  the  soul  alive. — Young. 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


285 


679,  A  Cure  fob  Hard  Times.  We 
are  too  fond  of  showing  out  in  our  families  ; 
and,  in  this  way,  our  expenses  far  exceea  our 
incomes.  Our  daughters— mast  be  dressed 
off  in  their  silks  and  crapes,  instead  ot  their 
linsey-woolsey.  Our  young  iolks— are  too 
proud  to  be  seen  in  a  coarse  dress,  and  their 
extravagance  is  bringing  ruin  on  our  families. 
When  you  can  induce  your  sons  to  prefer 
young  women,  for  their  real  worth,  rather 
than  for  their  show ;  when  you  can  get  them 
to  choose  a  wife,  who  can  make  a  good  loat 
of  bread,  and  a  good  pound  of  butter,  in  prei- 
erence  to  a  girl,  who  does  nothing  but  dance 
about  in  her  silks,  and  her  laces ;  then,  gen- 
tlemen, you  may  expect  to  see  a  change  tor 
the  better.  We  must  get  back  to  the  good  old 
simplicity  of  former  times,  if  we  expect  to  see 
more  prosperous  days.  The  time  was,  even 
since  memory,  when  a  simple  note  was  good 
for  any  amount  of  money,  but  now  bonds  and 
mortgages  are  thought  almost  no  security; 
mid  this  owing  to  the  want  of  confidence. 

And  what  has  caused  this  want  ot  confi- 
dence '  Why,  it  is  occasioned  by  the  extrav- 
agant manner  of  living ;  by  your  families  go- 
ing in  debt  beyond  your  ability  to  pay.  Ex- 
amine this  matter,  gentlemen,  and  you  will 
find  this  to  be  the  real  cause.  Teach  your 
sons  to  be  too  proud  to  ride  a  hackney,  which 
their  father  cannot  pay  for.  Let  them  he 
above  being  seen  sporting  in  a  gig,  or  a  car- 
riage, which  their  father  is  in  debt  for.  Let 
them  have  this  sort  of  independent  pride,  and 
I  venture  to  say,  that  you  will  soon  perceive 
a  reformation.  But,  until  the  change  com- 
mences in  this  way  in  our  families ;  until  we 
begin  the  work  ourselves,  it  is  in  vain  to  ex- 
pect better  times. 

Now,  gentlemen,  if  you  think  as  I  do  on 
this  subject,  there  is  a  way  of  showing  that 
you  do  think  so,  and  but  one  way  ;  when  you 
return  to  your  homes,  have  independence 
enough  to  put  these  principles  in  practice ; 
and  I  am  sure  you  will  not  be  disappointed. 

680.      THE   FIRE-SIDE. 

Dear  Chloe,  while  the  busy  crowd, 
The  vain,  the  wealthy,  and  the  proud, 

In  folly's  maze  advance  ; 
Tho'  singularity,  and  pride, 
Be  call'd  our  choice,  we'll  step  aside, 

Nor  join  the  giddy  dance. 
From  the  gay  world,  w'ell  oft  retire, 
To  our  own  family  and  fire, 

Where  love — our  hours  employs; 
No  noisy  neighbor — enters  here, 
No  intermeddling  stranger— near, 

To  spoil  our  heart-felt  joys. 
If  solid  happiness — we  prize, 
Within  our  breast— this  jewel  lies; 

And  they  are  fools,  who  roam  : 
The  world — has  nothing  to  bestow  ; 
From  our  own  selves— our  joys  must  flow, 

And  that  dear  hut,  our  home. 
Of  rest,  was  Noah's  dove  bereft, 
When,  with  impatient  wing  she  left 

That  safe  retreat,  the  ark ; 
Giving  her  vain  excursion  o'er, 
The  disappointed  bird,  once  more 

Explor'd  the  sacred  bark. 
Tho'  fools — spurn  Hymen's  gentle  pow'rs, 
We,  who  improve  his  golden  hours, 


By  sweet  experience  know, 
That  marriage,  rightly  understood, 
Gives  to  the  tender,  and  the  good, 

A  paradise  below. 
Our  babes,  shall  richest  comfort  bring; 
If  tutor'd  right,  they'll  prove  a  spring 

Whence  pleasures  ever  rise  : 
We'll  form  their  minds,  with  studious  care, 
To  all  that's  manly,  good,  and  fair, 

And  train  them  for  the  skies. 
While  they  our  wisest  hours  engage, 
They'll  joy  our  youth,  support  our  age, 

And  crown  our  hoary'  hairs : 
They'll  grow  in  virtue  ev'ry  day, 
And  thus,  our  fondest  loves  repay, 

And  recompense  our  cares. 
No  borroiv'd  joys !  they're  all  our  own, 
Wliile,  to  the  world,  we  live  unknown, 

Or,  by  the  world  forgot ; 
Monarchs  !  we  envy  not  your  state ; 
We  look  with  pity— on  the  great, 

And  bless  our  humbler  lot. 
Our  portion  is  not  large,  indeed ! 
But  then,  how  little  do  we  need ! 

For  nature's  calls  are  few  : 
In  this,  the  art  of  living  lies, 
To  want  no  more,  that  may  suffice, 

And  make  that  little  do. 
We'll  therefore  relish,  with  content, 
Whate'er  kind  Providence  has  sent, 

Nor  aim  beyond  our  pow'r  ; 
For  if  our  stock  be  very  small, 
'Tis  prudence  to  enjoy  it  all, 
Nor  lose  the  present  hour. 
To  be  resign'd,  when  ills  betide, 
Patient,  when  favors  are  denied, 
And  pleas'd,  with  favors  giv'n : 
Dear  Chloe,  this  is  wisdom's  part; 
This  is  that  incense  of  the  heart, 

Whose  fragrance— smells  to  heav'n. 
We'll  ask  no  long  protracted  treat, 
Since  winter-life  is  seldom  sweet ; 

But,  when  our  feast  is  o'er, 
Grateful  from  table  we'll  arise, 
Nor  grudge  our  sons,  with  envious  eyes, 

The  relics  of  our  store. 
Thus,  hand  in  hand,  thro'  life  we'll  go; 
Its  checker'd  paths  of  joy  and  wo, 
With  cautious  steps,  we'll  tread; 
Quit  its  vain  scenes,  without  a  tear, 
Without  a  trouble,  or  a  fear, 
And  mingle  with  the  dead. 
While  conscience,  like  a  faithful  friend, 
Shall,  thro'  the  gloomy  vale  attend, 

And  cheer  our  dying  breath; 
Shall,  when  all  other  comforts  cease, 
Like  a  kind  angel,  whisper— peace, 
And  smooth  the  bed  of  death.— Cotton. 
Ye  glittering  towns,  with  wealth  and  splendoi 

erown'd ; 
Ye  fields,  where  summer  spreads  profusion  round 
Ye  lakes,  whose  vessels  catch  the  busy  gale ; 
Ye  bending  swains,  that  dress  the  flowery  vale  l 
For  me  your  tributary  stores  combine : 
Creation's  heir,  the  world,  the  world  is  mine. 


286 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


6S1.  The  Nature  of  Eloq.i"exce. 
When  public  bodies  are  to  be  addressed,  on 
momentous  occasions,  when  great  interests 
are  at  stake,  and  strong  passions  excited, 
nothing  is  valuable  in  speech,  farther  than  it 
is  connected  with  high  intellectual  and  mor- 
al endowments.  Clearness,  force,  and  earn- 
estness, are  the  qualities  which  produce  con- 
viction. True  eloquence,  indeed,  does  not 
consist  in  speech.  It  cannot  be  brought  from 
far.  Labor  and  learning  may  toil  for  it,  but 
they  will  toil  in  vain. 

Words  and  phrases  may  be  marshaled  in 
every  way,  but  they  cannot  compass  it.  It 
must  exist  in  the  man,  in  the  subject,  and  in 
the  occasion.  Affected  passion,  intense  ex- 
pression, the  pomp  of  declamation,  all  may 
aspire  after  it,  but  cannot  reach  it.  It  comes, 
if  it  come  at  all,  like  the  outbreaking  of  a 
fountain  from  the  earth,  or  the  bursting  forth 
of  volcanic  fires,  with  spontaneous,  original, 
native  force. 

The  graces  taught  in  the  schools,  the  costly 
ornaments  and  studied  contrivances  of  speech, 
shock  and  disgust  men,  when  their  own  lives, 
and  the  fate  of  their  wives,  their  children,  and 
their  country,  hang  on  the  decision  of  the 
hour.  Then,  words  have  lost  their  power, 
rhetoric  is  vain,  and  all  elaborate  oratory, 
contemptible.  Even  genius  itself  then  feels 
rebuked,  and  subdued,  as  in  the  presence  of 
higher  qualities. 

Then,  patriotism  is  eloquent ;  then,  self- 
devotion  is  eloquent.  The  clear  conception, 
out-running  the  deductions  of  logic,  the  high 
purpose,  of  firm  resolve,  the  dauntless  spirit, 
speaking  on  the  tongue,  beaming  from  the 
eye,  informing  every  feature,  and  urging  the 
whole  man  onward,  right  onward  to  his  ob- 
ject,— this — is  eloquence. —  Webster. 

6S2>    THE  soul's  defiance. 
I  said — to  Sorrow's  awful  storm, 

That  beat  against  my  breast, 
"  Rage  on !  thou  may'st  destroy  this  form, 

And  lay  it  low — at  rest; 
But  still — the  spirit  that  now  brooks 

Thy  tempest,  raging  high, 
Undaunted,  on  its  fury  looks — 

With  steadfast  eye." 
I  said — to  Penury's  meagre  train, 

"  Come  on!  your  threats  I  brave; 
My  last,  poor  life-drop — you  may  drain, 

And  crush  me — to  the  grave  ; 
Yet  still,  the  spirit,  that  endures, 

Shall  mark  your  force — the  while, 
And  meet  each  cold,  cold  grasp  of  yours, 

With  bitter  smile." 
I  said — to  cold  Neglect,  and  Scorn, 

"  Pass  on  !  I  heed  you  not ; 
Ye  may  pursue  me,  tiil  my  form, 

And  being — are  forgot ; 
Yet,  still — the  spirit,  which  you  see 

Undaunted  by  your  wiles, 
Draws  from  its  own  nobility 

Its  high-born  smiles." 
I  said — to  Friendship's  menaced  blow, 

'^Strike  deep!  my  heart  shall  bear; 
.  Thou  canst  but  add — one  bitter  wo 

To  those — already  there  ; 
Yet  still — the  spirit,  that  sustains 

This  last — severe  distress, 


Shall  smde — upon  its  keenest  pains, 

And  scorn  redress." 
I  said  to  Death's  uplifted  dart, 

"  Aim  sure  !  oh,  why  delay  ? 
Thou  wilt  not  find  a  fearful  heart, 

A  weak,  reluctant  pp  j  : 
For  still — the  spirit,  firm,  and  free, 

Triumphant — in  the  last  dismay, 
Wrapt — in  its  own  eternity, 

Shall,  smiling,  pass  away." 

6S3>      PASSAGE   OF    mE   RED   SEA." 

'Mid  the  light  spray,  their  snorting  camels  stood, 
Nor  bath'd  a  fetlock,  in  the  nauseous  flood : 
He  comes — their  leader  comes  !  the  man  of  God, 
O'er  the  wide  waters,  lifts  his  mighty  rod, 
And  onward  treads.     The  circling  waves  retreat, 
In  hoarse,  deep  murmurs,  from  his  holy  feet; 
And  the  chas'd  surges,  inly  roaring,  show 
The  hard  wet  sand,  and  coral  hills  below. 
With  limbs,  that  falter,  and  with  hearts,  that  swell, 
Down,  down  they  pass — a  steep,  and  slippery  dell. 
Around  them  rise,  in  pristine  chaos  hurl'd, 
The  ancient  rocks,  the  secrets  of  the  world  ; 
And  flowers,  that  blush  beneath  the  ocean  green, 
And  caves,  the  sea-calves'  low-roof'd  haunts,  are 
Down.so/Wi/down  the  narrow  pass  they  tread: [seen. 
The  beetling  waters — storm  above  their  head; 
While  far  behind,  retires  the  sinking  day, 
And  fades  on  Edom's  hills,  its  latest  ray. 
Yet  not  from  Israel — fled  the  friendly  light, 
Or  dark  to  them,  or  cheerless  came  the  night ; 
Still,  in  their  van,  along  that  dreadful  road,  [God. 
Blaz'd  broad  and  fierce,  the  brandish'd  torch  of 
Its  meteor  glare — a  tenfold  lustre  gave, 
On  the  long  mirror — of  the  rosy  wave  : 
While  its  blest  beams — a  sunlike  heat  supply, 
Warm  every  cheek,  and  dance  in  every  eye. 
To  them  alone — for  Misraim's  wizard  train 
Invoke,  for  light,  their  monster-gods  in  vain  : 
Clouds  heap'd  on  clouds,  their  struggling  sight  con- 
And  tenfold  darkness  broods  above  their  line,  [fine, 
Yet  on  they  press,  by  reckless  vengeance  led, 
And  range,  unconscious,  through  the  ocean's  bed, 
Till  midway  now — that  strange,  and  fiery  form, 
Show'd  his  dread  visage,  lightning  through  the 

storm ; 
With  withering  splendor,  blasted  all  their  might, 
And  brake  their  chariot-wheels,  and  marred  their 

coursers'  flight. 
"Fly,  Misraim,  fly !"  The  ravenous  floods  they  see, 
And,  fiercer  than  the  floods,  the  Deity. 
"  Fly,  Misraim,  fly  !"  From  Edonrs  coral  strand, 
Again  the  prophet  stretch'd  his  dreadful  wand  : 
With  one  wild  crash,  the  thundering  waters  sweep, 
And  all — is  waves — a  dark,  and  lonely  deep : — 
Yet,  o'er  these  lonely  waves,  such  murmurs  past, 
As  mortal  wailing  swell'd  the  nightly  blast : 
And  strange,  and  sad,  the  whispering  breezes  bore 
The  groans  of  Egypt — to  Arabia's  shore. — Htber. 

CONCEALED   LOVE. 

She  never  told  her  love, 
But  let  concealment,  like  a  worm  i'  the  bud, 
Feed  on  her  damask  cheek  :  she  pin'd  in  thought, 
And,  with  a  green  and  yellow  melancholy, 
She  sat  like  patience  on  a  monument, 
Smiling  at  grief. 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


287 


684<  Greek  Literature.  It  is  impos- 
sible— to  contemplate  the  annals  of  Greek  lit- 
erature, and  art,  without  being  struck  with 
them,  as  by  far  the  most  extraordinary,  and 
brilliant  phenomenon,  in  the  history  of  the  hu- 
man mind.  The  very  language,  even  in  its 
primitive  simplicity,  as  it  came  down  from  the 
rhapsodists,  who  celebrated  the  exploits  of 
Hercules,  and  Theseus,  was  as  great  a  won- 
der, as  any  it  records. 

All  the  other  tongues,  that  civilized  men 
have  spoken,  are  poor,  and  feeble,  and  bar- 
barous^ in  comparison  of  it.  Its  compass, 
and  flexibility,  its  riches,  and  its  powers,  are 
altogether  unlimited.  It  not  only  expresses, 
with  precision,  all  that  is  thought,  or  known, 
at  any  given  period,  but  it  enlarges  itself  na- 
turally, with  the  progress  of  science,  and  af- 
fords, as  if  without  an  effort,  a  new  phrase,  or 
a  systematic  nomenclature,  whenever  one  is 
called  for. 

It  is  equally  adapted  to  every  variety  of 
style,  and  subject,  to  the  most  shadowy  sub- 
tlety of  distinction,  and  the  utmost  exactness 
of  definition,  as  well  as  to  the  energy,  and  the 
pathos  of  popular  eloquence,  to  the  majesty, 
the  elevation,  the  variety  of  the  Epic,  and  the 
boldest  license  of  the  Dithyrambic,  no  less 
than  to  the  sweetness  of  the  Elegy,  the  sim- 
plicity of  the  Pastoral,  or  the  heedless  gayety, 
and  delicate  characterization  of  Comedy. 

Above  all,  what  is  an  unspeakable  charm,  a 
sort  of  naivete  is  peculiar  to  it,  and  appears 
in  all  those  various  styles,  and  is  quite  as  be- 
coming, and  agreeable,  in  an  historian,  or  a 
philosopher,  Xenophon  for  instance,  as  in  the 
light  and  jocund  numbers  of  Anacreon. 

Indeed,  were  there  no  other  object,  in  learn- 
ing Greek,  but  to  see — to  what  perfection  lan- 
guage is  capable  of  being  carried,  not  only  as 
a  medium  of  communication,  but  as  an  instru- 
ment of  thought,  we  see  not  why  the  time  of 
a  young  man  would  not  be  just  as  well  be- 
stowed, in  acquiring  a  knowledge  of  it,  for  all 
the  purposes,  at  least  of  a  liberal,  or  element- 
ary education,  as  in  learning  algebra,  another 
specimen  of  a  language,  or  arrangement  of 
signs  perfect  in  its  kind. — Legare. 

685.     our  exit:  thajjatopsis. 
To  him,  who,  in  the  love  of  nature,  holds 
Communion  with  her  visible  forms,  she  speaks 
A  various  language ;  for  his  gayer  hours, 
She  has  a  voice  of  gladness,  and  a  smile, 
And  eloquence  of  beauty,  and  she  glides 
Into  his  dark  musings,  with  a  mild, 
And  gentle  sympathy,  that  steals  away 
Their  sharpness,  ere  he  is  aware. 

When  thoughts — 
Of  the  last  bitter  hour,  come  like  a  blight 
Over  thy  spirit,  and  sad  images 
Of  the  stern  agony,  and  shroud,  and  pall, 
And  breathless  darkness,  and  the  narrow  house, 
Make  thee  to  shudder,  and  grow  sick  at  heart ; 
Go  foi:h  into  the  open  sky,  and  list 
To  na.S-e's  teaching,  while,  from  all  around, 
Comes  a  still  voice — 

"Yet  a  few  days,  and  thee, 
The  all-beholding  sun  shall  see  no  more, 
In  all  his  course  ;  nor  yet,  in  the  cold  ground, 
Where  thy  pale  form  was  laid,  with  many  tears, 
Nor  in  the  embrace  of  ocean,  shall  exist 
Thy  image.  Earth,  that  nourished  thee,  shall  claim 
Thy  growth,  to  be  resolved  to  earth  again; 


And,  lost  each  human  trace,  surrendering  up 

Thine  individual  being,  shalt  thou  go, 

To  mix  forever  with  the  elements, 

To  be  a  brother — to  th'  insensible  rock, 

And  to  the  sluggish  clod,  which  the  rude  swain 

Turns  with  liis  share,  and  treads  upon. 

The  oak- 
Shall  send  his  roots  abroad,  and  pierce  thy  mold. 
Yet  not,  to  thy  eternal  resting  place, 
Shalt  thou  retire,  alone — nor  could'st  thou  wish 
Couch  more  magnificent.    Thou  shalt  lie  down 
With  patriarchs  of  the  infant  world,  with  kings, 
The  powerful  of  the  earth,  the  wise,  the  good, 
Fair  forms,  and  hoary  seers  of  ages  past, 
All — in  one — mighty  sepulchre. 

The  hills, 
Rock-ribbed,  and  ancient  as  the  sun ;  the  vales, 
Stretching  in  pensive  quietness  between; 
The  venerable  woods;  rivers,  that  move 
In  majesty,  and  the  complaining  brooks  [all, 

That  make  the  meadows  green;  and,  poured  round 
Old  ocean's  gray  and  melancholy  waste, 
Are  but  the  solemn  decorations  all — 
Of  the  great  tomb  of  man.    The  golden  sun, 
The  planets,  all  the  infinite  host  of  heaven, 
Are  shining  on  the  sad  abodes  of  death, 
Through  the  still  lapse  of  ages. 

All  that  tread 
The  globe,  are  but  a  handfull,  to  the  tribes, 
That  slumber  in  its  bosom.    Take  the  wings 
Of  morning,  and  the  Barcan  desert  pierce, 
Or,  lose  thyself  in  the  continuous  woods, 
Where  rolls  the  Oregon,  and  hears  no  sound, 
Save  its  own  dashings — yet — the  dead  are  there ; 
And  millions  in  those  solitudes,  since  first 
The  flight  of  years  began,  have  laid  them  down 
In  their  last  sleep :  the  dead — reign  there — alone. 

So  shalt  thou  rest;  and  what,  if  thou  shalt  fall, 
Unnoticed  by  the  living;  and  no  friend — 
Take  note  of  thy  departure  ?    All  that  breathe 
Will  share  thy  destiny.    The  gay  will  laugh, 
When  thou  art  gone;  the  solemn  brood  of  care 
Plod  on;  and  each  one,  as  before,  will  chase 
His  favorite  phantom;  yet,  all  these  shall  leave 
Their  mirth,  and  their  enjoyments,  and  shall  come, 
And  make  their  bed  with  thee.    As  the  long  train 
Of  ages  glide  away,  the  sons  of  men, 
The  youth,  in  life's  green  spring,  and  he,  who  goes 
In  the  full  strength  of  years,  matron,  and  maid, 
The  bowed  with  age,  the  infant,  in  the  smiles 
And  beauty  of  its  innocent  age,  cut  off, — 
Shall,  one  by  one,  be  gathered  to  thy  side, 
By  those,  who,  in  their  turn,  shall  follow  them. 

So  live,  that  when  thy  summons  comes,  to  join 
The  innumerable  caravan,  that  moves 
To  the  pale  realms  of  shade,  where  each  shall  take 
His  chamber,  in  the  silent  halls  of  death, 
Thou  go  not,  like  the  quarry-slave  at  night,      [ed, 
Scourged  to  his  dungeon,  but,  sustained,  and  sooth- 
By  an  unfaltering  trust,  approach  thy  grave, 
Like  one,  who  wraps  the  drapery  of  his  couch 
About  him,  and  lies  down — to  pleasant  dreams." 

It  is  jealousy's — peculiar  nature, 
To  swell  small  things — to  great;  nay,  out  of  nought, 
To  conjure  much,  and  then,  lose  its  reason — 
Amid  the  hideous  phantoms,— it  has  formed. 


288 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


686.  Benefits  of  Agriculture.  Agri- 
culture— is  the  greatest  among  the  arts ;  for 
it  is  first  in  supplying  our  necessities.  It  is 
the  mother,  and  nurse — of  all  other  arts.  It 
favors  and  strengthens  population  ;  it  creates 
and  maintains  manufactures  ;  gives  employ- 
ment to  navigation,  and  materials  to  com- 
merce. It  animates  every  species  of  indus- 
try, and  opens — to  nations  the  surest  channels 
of  opulence.  It  is  also  the  strongest  bond  of 
well  regulated  society,  the  surest  basis  of  in- 
ternal peace,  the  natural  association  of  good 
morals. 

We  ought  to  count,  among  the  benefits  of 
agriculture,  the  charm,  which  the  practice 
of  it  communicates  to  a  country  life.  That 
charm,  which  has  made  the  country,  in  our 
view,  the  retreat  of  the  hero,  the  asylum  of 
the  sage,  and  the  temple  of  the  historic 
muse.  The  strong  desire,  the  longing  after 
the  country,  with  which  we  find  the  bulk 
of  mankind  to  be  penetrated,  points  to 
it  as  the  chosen  abode  of  sublunary  bliss. 
The  sweet  occupations  of  culture,  with  her 
varied  products  and  attendant  enjoyments, 
are,  at  least,  a  relief  from  the  stilling-  atmos- 
phere of  the  city,  the  monotony  of  subdivided 
employments,  the  anxious  uncertainty  of  com- 
merce, the  vexations  of  ambition  so  often  dis- 
appointed, of  self-love  so  often  mortified,  of 
factitious  pleasures,  and  unsubstantial  vani- 
ties. 

Health,  the  first  and  best  of  all  the  blessings 
of  life,  is  preserved  and  fortified  by  the  prac- 
tice of  agriculture.  That  state  of  well-being, 
which  we  feel  and  cannot  define  ;  that  self- 
satisfied  disposition,  which  depends,  perhaps, 
on  the  perfect  equilibrium,  and  easy  play  of 
vital  forces,  turns  the  slightest  acts  to  pleas- 
ure, and  makes  every  exertion  of  our  facul- 
ties a  source  of  enjoyment ;  this  inestimable 
state  of  our  bodily  functions  is  most  vigorous 
in  the  country,  and  if  lost  elsewhere,  it  is  in 
the  country  we  expect  to  recover  it. 

The  very  theatre  of  agricultural  avocations, 
gives  them  a  value  that  is  peculiar ;  for  who 
can  contemplate,  without  emotion,  the  mag- 
nificent spectacle  of  nature,  when,  arrayed  in 
vernal  hues,  she  renews  the  scenery  of  the 
world !  All  things  revive  her  powerful  voice 
— the  meadow  resumes  its  freshness  and  ver- 
dure ;  a  living  sap  circulates  through  every 
budding  tree ;  flowers  spring  to  meet  the 
warm  caresses  of  Zephyr,  and  from  their 
opening  petals  pour  forth  rich  perfume.  The 
songsters  of  the  forest  once  more  awake,  and 
in  tones  of  melody,  again  salute  the  coming 
dawn;  and  again  they  deliver  to  the  evening 
echo — their  strains  of  tenderness  and  love. 
Can  man — rational,  sensitive  man — can  he 
remain  unmoved  by  the  surrounding  pres- 
ence! and  where  else,  than  in  the  country, 
can  he  behold,  where  else  can  he  feel — tins 
jubilee  of  nature,  this  universal  joy  ! — Mac- 
Neven. 

Let  me  lead  you  from  this  place  of  sorrow, 
To  one  where  young  delights  attend  ;  and  joys, 
Yet  new,  unborn,  and  blooming  in  the  bud, 
Which  want  to  be  full-blown  at  your  approach, 
And  spread  like  roses,  to  the  morning  sun  ; 
Where  ev'ry  hour  shall  roll  in  circling  joys, 
And  love  shall  wing  the  tedious — wasting  day. 
Life  without  love,  is  load  ;  and  time  stands  still ; 
What  we  refuse  to  him,  to  death  we  give  ; 
And  then,  then  only,  when  we  love,  we  live. 


687.      THE   AMERICAN    FLAG. 

When  Freedom — from  her  mountain  height, 

Unfurl'd  her  standard — to  the  air, 
She  tore  the  azure  robe  of  night, 

And  set  the  stars  of  glory — there. 
She  mingled,  with  its  gorgeous  dyes, 
The  milky  baldric— of  the  skies, 
And  striped  its  pure — celestial  white, 
With  streakings  of  the  morning  light ; 
Then,  from  his  mansion — in  the  sun 
She  called  her  eagle-bearer — down, 
And  gave — into  his  mighty  hand, 
The  symbol — of  her  chosen  land. 
Majestic  monarch — of  the  cloud, 

Who  rear'st  aloft — thy  regal  form, 
To  hear  the  tempest-trumpings  loud, 
And  see  the  lightning  lances  driven, 

When  strive — the  warriors  of  the  storm, 
And  rolls — the  thunder-drum  of  heaven, — 
Child  of  the  sun  !  to  thee  'lis  given, 

To  guard  the  banner  of  the  free, 
To  hover — in  the  sulphur  smoke, 
To  ward  away  the  battle-stroke, 
And  bid  its  blendings— shine,  afar, 
Like  rainbows — on  the  cloud  of  war, 

The  harbingers — of  victory  ! 
Flag  of  the  brave  !  thy  folds  shall  fly, 
The  sign  of  hope — and  triumph  high, 
When  speaks  the  signal  trumpet  tone, 
And  the  long  line — comes  gleaming  on. 
Ere  yet  the  life-blood,  warm  and  wet, 
Has  dunm'd  the  glistening  bayonet, 
Each  soldier  eye — shall  brightly  turn 
To  where  thy  meteor  glories  burn  ; 
And,  as  his  springing  steps  advance, 
Catch  war,  and  vengeance — from  the  glance. 
And  when  the  cannon-mouthings  loud, 
Heave,  in  wild  wreaths,  the  battle-shroud, 
And  gory  sabres  rise,  and  fall, 
Like  shoots  of  flame — on  midnight's  pall ; 
There  shall  thy  victor  glances  glow, 

And  cowering  foes — shall  fall  beneath 
Each  gallant  arm,  that  strikes  below — 

That  lovely  messenger  of  death. 
Flag  of  the  seas  !  on  ocean's  wave, 
Thy  stars  shall  glitter  o'er  the  brave  : 
When  death,  careering  on  the  gale, 
Sweeps  darkly — round  the  bellied  sail, 
And  frighted  waves— rush  wildly  back- 
Before  the  broadside's  reeling  rack, 
Each  dying  wanderer  of  the  sea, 
Shall  look,  at  once,  to  heaven — and  thee, 
And  smile — to  see  thy  splendors  fly, 
In  triumph — o'er  his  closing  eye. 
Flag  of  the  free  heart's  only  home  ! 

By  angel  hands — to  valor  given; 
Thy  stars  have  lit  the  welkin  dome, 

And  all  thy  hues — were  born  in  heaven. 
Forever  float — that  standard  sheet! 

Where  breathes  the  foe— but  falls  before  us., 
With  Freedom's  soil — beneath  our  feet, 

And  Freedom's  banner — streaming  o'er  us! 

His  being  was  in  her  alone, 

And  he  not  being,  she  was  none. 

They  joy 'd  one  joy,  one  grief  they  griev'"' 

One  love  they  lov'd,  one  life  they  liv'd. 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


289 


688.  Tribute  to  Washi  vgton.  Hard, 
hard  indeed,  was  the  contest  lor  freedom,  and 
the  struggle  for  independence.  The  golden 
sun  of  liberty — had  nearly  set,  in  the  gloom 
of  an  eternal  night,  ere  its  radiant  beams  il- 
lumined our  western  horizon.  Had  not  the 
tutelar  saint  of  Columbia — hovered  around 
the  American  camp,  and  presided  over  her 
destinies,  freedom  must  have  met  with  an 
untimely  gra\  e.  N ever,  can  w  e  sufficiently  ad- 
mire the  wisdom  of  those  statesmen,  and  the 
skill,  ami  bravery,  of  those  unconquerable  ve- 
terans, who,  by  their  unwearied  exertions  in 
the  cabinet,  and  in  the  field,  achieved  for  us 
the  glorious  revolution.  Never,  can  we  duly 
appreciate  the  merits  of  a  Washington;  who, 
with  but  a  handful!  of undisciplined  yeomanry, 
triumphed  over  a  royal  army,  and  prostrated 
the  lion  of  England  at  the  feet  of  the  Ameri- 
can eagle.  His  name, — so  terrible  to  his  foes, 
so  welcome  to  his  friends, — shall  live  forever 
upon  the  brightest  page  of  the  historian,  and 
be  remembered,  with  the  warmest  emotions 
of  gratitude,  and  pleasure,  by  those,  whom 
he  had  contributed  to  make  happy,  and  by 
oil  mankind,  when  kings,  and  princes,  and 
nobles,  for  ages,  shall  have  sunk  into  their 
merited  oblivion.  Unlike  them,  he  needs  not 
the  assistance  of  the  sculptor,  or  the  architect, 
to  perpetuate  his  memory :  he  needs  no 
princely  dome,  no  monumental  pile,  no  state- 
ly pyramid,  whose  towering  height  shall 
pierce  the  stormy  clouds,  and  rear  its  lofty 
head  to  heaven,  to  tell  posterity  his  fame. 
His  deeds,  his  worthy  deeds,  alone  have  ren- 
dered him  immortal !  When  oblivion  shall 
have  swept  away  thrones,  kingdoms,  and 
principalities — when  human  greatness,  and 
grandeur,  and  glory,  shall  have  mouldered  in- 
to dust, — eternity  itself  shall  catch  the  glow- 
ing theme,  and  dwell  with  increasing  rapture 
on  his  name! — Gen.  Harrison. 

689.      THE   BARON'S   LAST  BANQUET. 
O'er  a  low  couch — the  setting  sun — had  thrown  its  latest  ray, 
Where,  in  his  last— strong  agony— a  dying  warrior  lay, 
The  stern — old  Baron  Rudiger,  whose  frame — had  ne'er  been  bent 
By  wastiug  pai?i,  till  time,  and  toil — its  iron  strength  had  spent. 
"  They  cnnie  around  me  here,  and  say  my  days  of  life  are  o'er, 
That  I  shall  mount  my  noble  steed,  and  lead  my  band  no  more; 
They  come,  and  to  my  beard — they  dare  to  tell  me  now,  that  I, 
Their  on  u  liege  lord,  and  master  born, — that  I,  ha !  ha !  must  die. 
And  what  is  death?  I've  dared  him  oft — before  the  Paynim  spear, 
Think  ye  he 's  entered  at  my  gate,  has  come  to  seek  me  here  ? 
I  've  met  him,  faced  him,  scorn'd  him,  when  the  fight  was  raging 

hot,— 
1 11  try  his  might— I  '11  brave  his  power ;  defy,  and  fear  him  not. 
Ho  !  sound  the  tocsin  from  my  tower, — and  fire  the  culverin, — 
But  each  retainer — ami  with  speed, — call  every  vassal  in, 
Up  with  my  tanner  on  the  wall, — the  banquet  board  prepare, — 
Throw  wide  the  portal  of  my  hall,  and  bring  my  armor  there  !" 
An  hundred  hands  were  busy  then, — the  banquet  forth  was  spread, 
And  rung — the  heavy  oaken  floor,  with  many  a  martial  tread; 
While  fn'm  the  rich,  dark  tracery — along  the  vaulted  wall, 
Lights — gleamed  on  harness,  plume  and  spear,  o'er  the  proud  old 

Gothic  hall. 
Fast  hurrying  through  the  outer  gate— the  mailed  retainers  pour'd, 
On  thro'  the  portal's  frowning  arch,  and  throng'd  around  the  board. 
While,  at  its  head,  within  his  dark,  carved  oaken  chair  of  state, 
Armed  cap-a-pie,  stern  Rudiger,  with  girded  falchion,  sate. 
"  Fill  every  breaker  up,  my  men,  pour  forth  the  cheering  wine, 
There'slife,  and  strength— in  every  drop,— thanksgiving  to  the  vine! 
Are  ye  all  there,  my  vassals  true  ? — mine  eyes  are  waring  dim  J — 
Fill  round,  my  tried  and  fearless  ones,  each  goblet  to  the  brim. 
Ye  're  there,  but  yet  I  see  ye  not.    Draw  forth  each  trusty  sword, 
And  let  me  hear  your  faithful  steel  clash,  once  around  my  board  : 
I  hear  it  faintly: — Louder  yet! — What  clogs  my  heavy  breath? 
Up  all, —and  shout  for  Rudiger,  '  Dcfiauceunto  Death ."" 

37  2B 


Bowl — rang  to  bow], — steel— clanged  to  steel, — and  rose  a  deafen* 

ing  cry, 
That  made  the  torches  flare  around,  and  shook  the  flags  on  hight 
"Ho!  cravens,  do  ye  fear  him  ? — Slaves,  traitors  !  have  ye  flown? 
Ho !  cowards,  have  ye  left  me  to  meet  him  here  alone ! 
But  /defy  him  : — let  him  come  !"    Down  rang  the  massy  cup, 
While,  from  its  sheath, the  readyblade  came  flashing  half-way  upj 
And,  with  the  black,  and  heavy  plumes — scarce  trembling  on  his 

head, 
There — in  his  dark,  carved,  oaken  chair,  Old  Rudiger  sat,  dead. 

690.      QUEEN  MAB. 

O  then,  I  see  Queen  Mab  hath  been  with  you. 
She  is  the  fairy's  midwife,  and  she  comes 
In  shape,  no  bigger  than  an  agate-stone, 
On  the  forefinger  of  an  alderman ; 
Drawn  with  a  team  of  little  atomies, 
Athwart  men's  noses,  as  they  lie  asleep : 
Her  wagon  spokes — made  of  long  spinner's  legs; 
The  cover — of  the  wings  of  grasshoppers; 
The  traces — of  the  smallest  spiders  web; 
The  collars — of  the  moonshine's  watery  beams; 
Her  whip — of  cricket's  bone ;  her  lash — of  film ; 
Her  wagoner — a  small  gray-coaled  gnat, 
Not  half  so  big — as  a  round — little  worm, 
Prick'd  from  the  lazy  finger  of  a  maid; 
Her  chariot — is  an  empty  hazel-nut, 
Made  by  the  joiner-squirrel,  or  old  grub, 
Time  out  of  mind,  the  fairies'  coach-makere. 
And  in  this  state  she  gallops,  night  by  night, 
Thro'  lovers'  brains,  and  then  they  dream  of  love: 
On  courtiers'  knees,  that  dream  on  curtsies  otrait • 
O'er  lawyers'  fingers,  who  straight  dream  on  fees; 
O'er  ladies'  lips,  who  straight  on  kisses  dream ; 
Sometimes,  she  gallops  o'er  a  courtier's  nose, 
And  then,  dreams  he  of  smelling  out  a  suit: 
And  sometimes  comes  she,  with  a  tithe-pig'a  tod], 
Tickling  the  parson,  as  he  lies  asleep; 
Then  dreams  he — of  another  benefice. 
Sometimes,  she  driveth  o'er  a  soldier's  neck, 
And  then  he  dreams  of  cutting  foreign  throats, 
Of  breaches,  ambuscadoes,  Spanish  blades, 
Of  healths  five  fathoms  deep ;  and  then  anon 
Drums  in  his  ears,  at  which  he  starts,  and  wakes; 
And  being  thus  frighted,  swears  a  prayer  or  two, 
And  sleeps  again. — Shakspeare. 

Youth  and  Age.  When  the  summer  day 
of  youth — is  slowly  wasting  away  into  the 
nightfall  of  age,  and  the  shadows  of  past  years 
grow  deeper  and  deeper,  as  life  wears  to  its 
close,  it  is  pleasant  to  look  back,  through  the 
vista  of  time,  upon  the  sorrows  and  felicities 
of  our  earlier  years.  If  we  have  a  home  to 
shelter,  and  hearts  to  rejoice  with  us,  and 
friends  have  been  gathered  together  around 
our  firesides,  then,  the  rough  places  of  our 
wayfaring  will  have  been  worn  and  smoothed 
away,  in  the  twilight  of  life,  while  the  sunny 
spots  we  have  passed  through,  will  grow 
brighter  and  more  beautiful.  Happy,  indeed, 
are  they,  whose  interference  with  the  world 
has  not  changed  the  tone  of  their  holier  feel- 
ings, or  broken  those  musical  chords  of  the 
heart,  whose  vibrations  are  so  melodious,  so 
tender  and  touching,  in  the  evening  of  age. 

When  Learning's  triumph  o'er  her  barbarous  foes 
First  rear'd  the  stage,  immortal  Shakspeare  rose. 
Each  change  of  many-colofd  life  he  drew; 
Exhausted  worlds,  and  then  imagin'd  new: 
Existence — saw  him  spurn  her  bounded  reign ; 
And  panting  Time — toil'd  after  him  in  vain. 


290 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


691.  The  Passing  or  the  Rubicon.    A 

gentleman,  Mr.  President,  speaking  of  Ce- 
sar's benevolent  disposition,  and  of  the  re- 
luctance, with  which  he  entered  into  the  civil 
war,  observes, "  How  long  did  he  pause  upon 
the  brink  of  the  Rubicon  V  How  came  he 
to  the  brink  of  that  river !  How  dared  he 
cross  it !  Shall  private  men  respect  the  boun- 
daries of  private  property,  and  shall  a  man 
pay  no  respect  to  the  boundaries  of  his  coun- 
try's rights  1  How  dared  he  cross  that  riv- 
er !  Oh!  but  he  paused  upon  the  brink  !  He 
should  have  perished  upon  the  brink,  ere  he 
had  crossed  it !  Why  did  he  pause'!  Why 
does  a  man's  heart  palpitate  when  he  is  on  the 
point  of  committing  an  unlawful  deed  !  Why 
does  the  very  murderer,  his  victim  sleeping 
before  him,  and  his  glaring  eye,  taking  the 
measure  of  the  blow,  strike  wide  of  the  mor- 
tal part?  Because  of  conscience!  'Twas 
that  made  Cesar  pause  upon  the  brink  of  the 
Rubicon.  Compassion !  What  compassion ! 
The  compassion  of  an  assassin,  that  feels  a 
momentary  shudder,  as  his  weapon  begins 
to  cut !  Cesar  paused  upon  the  brink  of  the 
Rubicon!  What  was  the  Rubicon'!  The 
boundary  of  Cesar's  province.  From  what 
did  it  separate  his  province  1  From  his  coun- 
try. Was  that  country  a  desert?  No:  it 
was  cultivated  and  fertile;  rich  and  popu- 
lous !  Its  sons  were  men  of  genius,  spirit, 
and  generosity  !  Its  daughters  were  lovely, 
susceptible,  and  chaste !  Friendship  was  its 
inhabitant!  Love  was  its  inhabitant!  Do- 
mestic affection  was  its  inhabitant !  Liberty 
was  its  inhabitant!  All  bounded  by  the 
stream  of  the  Rubicon!  What  was  Cesar, 
that  stood  upon  the  bank  of  that  stream  '!  A 
traitor,  bringing  war  and  pestilence  into  the 
heart  of  that  country !  No  wonder  that  he 
paused  —  no  wonder  if,  his  imagination 
wrought  upon  by  his  conscience,  he  had  be- 
held blood — instead  of  water,-  and  heard 
groans,  instead  of  murmurs !  No  wonder  if 
some  gorgon  horror  had  turned  him  into  stone 
upon  the"  spot. !  But,  no ! — he  cried,  "  The 
die  is  cast!"  He  plunged! — he  crossed! — 
and  Rome  was  free  no  more ! — Knowles. 
692.  LORD  ullin's  daughter. 
A  chieftain — to  the  Highlands  bound, 

Cries.  "  Boatman,  do  not  tarry  ! 
And  I'll  give  thee  a  silver  pound, 

To  row  us — o'er  the  ferry." 
"Now,  who  be  ye — would  cross  Loch-Gyle, 

This  dark — and  stormy  water?" 
"  O !    I  'm  the  chief  of  Ulva's  isle, 

And  this — lord  Ullin's  daughter. 
"  And  fast  before  her  father's  men, 

Three  days — we  've  fled  together, 
For  should  he  find  us  in  the  glen, 

My  blood — would  stain  the  heather. 
"  His  horsemen — hard  behind  us  ride ; 

Should  they  our  steps  discover, 
Then  who  will  cheer  my  bonny  bride, 

When  they  have  slain  her  lover?" 
Out  spoke  the  hardy,  Highland  wight, 

"  I  '11  go,  my  chief— I  'm  ready : 
It  is  not  for  your  silver  bright, 

But  for  your  winsome  lady : 
"And,  by  my  word  !  the  bonny  bird 

In  danger,  shall  not  tarry  ; 
So,  though  the  waves  are  raging  white, 

I  '11  row  you  o'er  the  ferry." 
By  this,  the  storm  grew  loud — apace, 

The  water-wraith — was  shrieking; 
And,  in  the  scowl  of  heaven,  each  face 

Grew  dark— as  they  were  speaking. 


But  still,  as  wilder  grew  the  wind, 

And  as  the  night — grew  drearer, 
Adown  the  glen — rode  armed  men, 

Their  trampling — sounded  nearer. 
"O  haste  thee,  haste!"  the  lady  cries, 

"  Though  tempests  round  us  gather ; 
I'll  meet  the  raging  of  the  skies, 

But  not  an  angry  fatter." 
The  boat — has  left  the  stormy  land, 

A  stormy  sea — before  her — 
When,  oh !  too  strong  for  human  hand, 

The  tempest — gathered  o'er  her. 
And  still  they  rowed,  amidst  the  roar 

Of  waters,  fast  prevailing  : 
Lord  Ullin — reaehed  that  fatal  shore, 

His  wrath — was  changed  to  wailing. 
For,  sore  dismayed,  through  storm,  and  shade, 

His  child— he  did  discover ; 
One  lovely  hand — she  stretched  for  aid, 

And  one — was  round  her  lover. 
"  Come  back  !  come  back  1"  he  cried  in  grief, 

"Across  this  stormy  water  : 
And  I  '11  forgive  your  Highland  chief: 

My  daughter  !  oh,  my  datighter .'" 
'Twas  vain:  the  loud  waves — lashed  the  shore, 

Return,  or  aid — preventing  : 
The  waters  wild  went  o'er  his  child, 

And  he  was  left — lamenting. — Campbell. 

693.    Progress    or    Government.    In 

government,  as  in  science,  it  is  useful,  often 
to  review  its  progress,  and  to  revert,  even  to 
its  simplest  elements.  It  will  be  salutary,  fre- 
quently to  ascertain,  how  far  society,  and 
laws,  in  their  present  condition,  accord  with 
those,  which  we  have  been  accustomed  to 
consider,  as  their  first  and  purest  principles; 
how  far,  in  the  lapse  of  time,  they  may  have 
deviated  from  their  original  form  and  struc- 
ture. Even  when  we  recur  to  inquiries, 
merely  speculative,  to  imaginary"  social  con- 
tracts," to  abstract  rights,  we  may  often  gath- 
er instruction,  and  detect  some  concealed,  or 
neglected  truth,  applicable  to  our  own  times, 
and  to  our  own  immediate  condition. 

But  when  a  government  is  derived,  not 
from  fictitious  assumptions,  not  from  ancient 
or  obscure  sources,  or  traditions,  but,  from 
actual,  and  specific  agreement;  when  many, 
and  various  interests  have  been  combined 
and  compromised,  and  a  written  covenant 
has  assured  to  many  parties,  rights,  and  pow- 
ers, and  privileges,  it  becomes  a  duty  to  re- 
vise this  compact  frequently  and  strictly,  that 
no  one  entitled  to  its  protection  may  be  de- 
prived, through  inadvertence  on  the  one  part, 
or  encroachment  on  the  other,  of  his  vested 
rights ;  and  that  no  changes  may  be  introdu- 
ced into  the  compact,  but  by  the  actual  con- 
sent of  those,  who  are  parties  to  the  covenant. 

■ Every  spirit, as  it  is  most  pure, 


And  hath  in  it  the  more  of  heavenly  light, 
So  it  the  fairer  body  doth  procure 

To  habit  in,  and  it  more  fairly  dight 

With  cheerful  grace,  and  amiable  sight; 
For  of  the  soul,  the  body  form  doth  take, 
For  soul  is  form,  and  doth  the  body  make. 
For  who,  to  dumb  forgetfulness  a  prey, 

This  pleasing  anxious  being  e'er  resigned, 
Left  the  warm  precincts  of  the  cheerful  day, 

Nor  cast  one  longing,  ling'ring  look  behind  ? 
On  some  fond  breast  the  parting  soul  relies, 

Some  pious  drops  the  closing  eye  requires : 
Ev'n  from  the  tomb,  the  voice  of  nature  cries, 

Ev'n  in  our  ashes  live  their  wonted  fires. 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


S91 


694.  Advantages  of  Knowledge. 
Knowledge,  in  general,  expands  the  mind, 
exalts  the  faculties,  refines  the  taste  of  pleas- 
ure, and  opens  innumerable  sources  of  intel- 
lectual enjoyment.  By  means  of  it,  we  be- 
come less  dependent  for  satisfaction  upon 
the  sensitive  appetites  ;  the  gross  pleasures 
of  sense  are  more  easily  despised,  and  we 
are  made  to  feel  the  superiority  of  the  spiri- 
tual to  the  material  part  of  our  nature.  In- 
stead of  being  continually  solicited  by  the  in- 
fluence, and  irritation  of  sensible  objects,  the 
mind  can  retire  within  herself,  and  expatiate 
in  the  cool  and  quiet  walks  of  contemplation. 
The  poor  man,  who  can  read,  and  who 
possesses  a  taste  for  reading,  can  find  enter- 
tainment at  home,  without  being  tempted  to 
repair  to  the  public  house  for  that  purpose. 
His  mind  can  find  him  employment,  when  his 
body  is  at  rest ;  he  does  not  lie  prostrate,  and 
afloat,  on  the  current  of  incidents,  liable  to 
be  carried,  whithersoever  the  impulse  of  ap- 
petite may  direct.  There  is,  in  the  mind  of 
such  a  man,  an  intellectual  spring,  urging 
him  to  the  pursuit  of  mental  good  ;  and  if 
the  minds  of  his  family,  also,  are  a  little  cul- 
tivated, conversation  becomes  the  more  inter- 
esting, and  the  sphere  of  domestic  enjoyment 
enlarged. 

The  calm  satisfaction,  which  books  afford, 
puts  him  into  a  disposition  to  relish,  more 
exquisitely,  the  tranquil  delight,  inseparable 
from  the  indulgence  of  conjugal,  and  paren- 
tal affection  :  and  as  he  will  be  more  respect- 
able, in  the  eyes  of  his  family,  than  he,  who 
can  teach  them  nothing,  he  will  be  naturally 
induced  to  cultivate,  whatever  may  preserve, 
and  shun  whatever  would  impair  that  re- 
spect. He,  who  is  inured  to  reflection,  will 
carry  his  views  beyond  the  present  hour;  he 
will  extend  his  prospect  a  little  into  futurity, 
and  be  disposed  to  make  some  provision  for 
his  approaching  wants ;  whence  will  result, 
an  increased  motive  to  industry,  together 
with  a  care  to  husband  his  earnings,  and  to 
avoid  unnecessary  expense. 

The  poor  man  who  has  gained  a  taste  for 
good  books,  will,  in  all  likelihood,  become 
thoughtful,  and  when  you  have  given  the 
poor  a  habit  of  thinking,  you  have  conferred 
on  them  a  much  greater  favor,  than  by  the 
gift  of  a  large  sum  of  money ;  since  you  have 
put  them  in  possession  of  me  principle  of  all 
legitimate  prosperity. — R.  Hull. 

time's  softening-  power. 
As  the  stern  grandeur  of  a  Gothic  tower 
Awes  not  so  deeply  in  its  morning  hour, 
As  when  the  shades  of  time  serenely  fall 
On  every  broken  arch  and  ivied  wall ; 
The  tender  images  we  love  to  trace, 
Steal  from  each  year  a  melancholy  grace! 
And  as  the  sparks  of  social  love  expand ; 
As  the  heart  opens  in  a  foreign  land, 
And  with  a  brother's  warmth,  a  brother's  smile, 
The  stranger  greets  each  native  of  his  isle  ; 
So  scenes  of  life,  when  present  and  confest, 
Stamp  but  their  bolder  features  on  the  breast  j 
Yet  not  an  image,  when  remotely  viewed, 
However  trivial  and  however  rude, 
But  wins  the  heart  and  wakes  the  social  sigh, 
With  every  claim  of  close  affinity. 

Hope  and  fear,  alternate,  swayed  his  breast, 
Like  light — and  shade— upon  a  waving  field, 
Coursing  each  other,  when  the  flying  clouds, 
Now  hide— and  now  reveal— the  sun. 


695.  VICTIM    BRIDE   AND   MISER. 

I  saw  her— in  her  summer  bower,  and  oh !  upon  my  sight, 
Methought  there  never  beam'd  a  form  more  beautiful,  and  bright; 
So  young,  so  fair,  she  seemed  like  one  of  those  aerial  things, 
That  dwell— but  in  the  poet's  high,  and  wild  imaginings : 
Or,  like  one  of  those  forms,  we  meet  in  dreams,  from  which  we 

wake  and  weep, 
That  earth— has  no  creations,  like  the  figments  of  our  sleep. 
Her  father— lov'd  he  not  his  child— above  all  earthly  tilings? 
As  traders  love  the  merchandize,  from  which  their  profit  springs: 
Old  age  came  by,  with  tottering  step,  and,  for  sordid  gold, 
With  which  the  dotard  urged  his  suit,  the  maiden's  peace  was  sold; 
And  thus,  (for  oh !  her  sire's  stem  heart— was  steel'd  against  her 

prayer,) 
The  hand  he  ne'er  had  gain'd  from  love,  he  won  from  her  despair. 
I  saw  them  through  the  church-yard  pass,  and  such  a  nuptial  train, 
I  would  not  for  the  wealth  of  worlds,  should  greet  my  sight  again ; 
The  bridemaids,  each  as  beautiful  as  Eve— in  Ellen's  bowers, 
Shed  bitter  tears— upon  the  path  they  should  have  strewn  with 

flowers ; 
Who  had  not  thought,  that  white-rob'd  band— the  funeral  array 
Of  one— an  early  doom  had  call'd— from  life's  gay  scene  away  ? 
The  priest— beheld  the  bridal  parr  before  the  altar  stand, 
And  sigh'd,  as  he  drew  forth  his  bonk,  with  slow,  reluctant  hand  ; 
He  saw  the  bride's  flow'r-wreath'd  hair,  he  mark'd  her  streaming 

eyes, 
And  deem'd  it  less  a  christian  rite,  than  a  pagan  sacrifice  ; 
And  when  he  called  on  Abraham's  God  to  bless  the  wedded  pair, 
It  seem'd  a  very  mockery— to  breath  so  vain  a  prayer. 
I  saw  the  palsy'd  bridegroom  too,  in  youth's  gay  ensign  dress'd, 
A  shroud — wrere  fitter  garment  far — for  him,  than  bridal  vest; 
I  marked  him,  when  the  ring  was  claim'd,  'twas  hard  to  loose  his 

hold, 
He  held  it— with  a  miser's  clutch ;  it  was  his  darling  gold; 
His  shrivell'd  hand— was  wet  with  tears,  she  shed,  alas  !  in  vain, 
And  trembled  like  an  autumn  leaf— beneath  the  beating  rain. 
I've  seen  her  since  that  fatal  morn  :  her  golden  fetters  rest — 
As  e'en  the  weight  of  incubus— upon  her  aching  breast  j 
And  when  the  victor  (death,)  shall  come,  to  deal  the  welcome 

blow,  [brow ; 

He  will  not  find  one  rose— to  swell  the  wreath,  that  decks  his 
For  oh !  her   cheek  is  blanched  with  grief,  that  time— may  not 

assuage ;  ta?e. 

Thus  early — beauty — sheds  her  bloom — on  the  wintry  breast  of 

696.  THE   DEW-DROP  IN  SPRING. 

How  pure  !  how  bright  is  the  tiny  thing! 

It  beams  where  the  birds  of  the  morning  sing; 

It  looks  like  the  tear  from  an  angel's  eye, 

Or  a  pearl  that  has  dropped  from  the  vernal  sky, 

To  deck  the  silvery  robe  of  the  dawn, 

As  it  weds  the  flowers  on  the  grassy  lawn. 

In  the  silver  cup  of  the  daisy  it  lies  ; 

It  smiles  on  the  lark  as  he  upward  flies ; 

In  a  chariot  of  cloud  it  shall  glide  to  the  sun  ; 

On  a  pathway  of  incense  its  course  shall  be  run; 

It  returns  again  on  a  sunset  ray, 

And  forgets  in  its  slumber  the  sports  of  the  day. 

The  emblem  of  virtue  unsullied,  it  seems — 

The  emblem  of  beauty  we  see  in  our  dreams  ; 

'Tis  a  pledge  of  faith,  by  the  breeze  to  be  given, 

With  amorous  sighs  to  the  clouds  of  heaven. 

Oh,  who  can  tell,  but  the  fairies  keep 

Their  nightly  watch  where  the  dew-drops  sleep? 

When  the  rose  unfolds  its  voluptuous  charm, 

When  the  sun  is  high,  and  the  earth  grows  warm, 

'Tis  then  that  the  dew-drop  shines  most  bright, 

'Tis  then  that  it  rivals  the  diamond's  light, 

As  it  bids  farewell  to  the  fairy  scene, 

And  melts  into  air  where  its  bower  has  been. 

All  men — think  all  men  mortal,  but  themselves : 

Themselves,  when  some  alarming  shock  of  fate, 

Strikes  thro'  their  wounded  hearts  the  sudden  dread. 


292 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


697.  Specimen   of   Ixdian    Language. 
We    are    happy,   in    having   buried,  under 

f round,  the  red  axe,  that  has  so  often  been 
yed — with  the  blood  of  our  brethren.  Now, 
in  this  fort,  we  inter  the  axe,  and  plant  the 
tree  of  Peace.  We  plant  a  tree,  whose  top 
will  reach  the  sun,  and  its  branches  spread 
abroad,  so  that  it  shall  be  seen  afar  ofF.  May 
its  growth  never  be  stifled  and  choked ;  but 
may  it  shade  both  your  country  and  ours 
with  its  leaves.  Let  us  make  fast  its  roots, 
and  extend  them  to  the  uttermost  of  your 
colonies.  If  the  French  should  come  to  shake 
this  tree,  we  should  know  it  by  the  motion 
of  its  roots  reaching  into  our  country.  May 
the  Great  Spirit — allow  us  to  rest,  in  tran- 
quillity, upon  our  mats,  and  never  again 
dig  up  the  axe,  to  cut  down  the  tree  of  Peace ! 
Let  the  earth  be  trod  hard  over  it,  where  it 
lies  buried.  Let  a  strong  stream  run  under 
the  pit,  to  wash  the  evil  away,  out  of  our 
sight  and  remembrance.  The  fire,  that  had 
long  burned  in  Albany,  is  extinguished.  The 
bloody  bed  is  washed  clean,  and  the  tears  are 
wiped  from  our  eyes.  We  now  renew  the 
covenant-chain  of  friendship.  Let  it  be  kept 
bright  and  clean  as  silver,  and  not  suffered  to 
contract  any  rust.  Let  not  any  one  pull 
away  his  arm  from  it. 

MARSEILLES    HYMN    OF   LIBERTY. 

Ye  sons  of  Freedom,  wake  to  glory  ! 

Hark!  hark,  what  myriads  bid  you  rise ! 
Your  children,  wives,  and  grandsires,  hoary, 

Behold  their  tears — and  hear  their  cries. 
Shall  hateful  tyrants,  mischiefs  breeding, 

With  hireling  hosts,  a  ruffian  band, 

Affright  and  desolate  the  land, 
While  peace  and  liberty — lie  bleeding  1 

To  arms  !  to  arms  !  ye  brave  ! 

Th'  avenging  sword  unsheath  : 
March  on,  march  on,  all  hearts  resolv'd, 

On  victory — or  death. 

Now,  now,  the  dangerous  storm  is  rolling, 

Which  treacherous  kings,  confederate,  raise  ; 
The  dogs  of  war,  let  loose,  are  howling, 

And  lo  !  our  fields  and  citie3 — blaze, 
And  shall  we  basely — view  the  ruin, 

While  lawless  force  with  guilty  stride, 

Spreads  desolation — far  and  wide, 
With  crimes  and  blood,  his  hands  imbruing'? 

To  arms  !  to  arms  !  ye  brave,  &c. 

With  luxury  and  pride  surrounded, 

The  vile — insatiate  despots  dare, 
Their  thirst  of  power  and  gold  unbounded, 

To  mete,  and  vend — the  light — and  air. 
Like  beasts  of  burden — would  they  load  us, 

Like  gods — would  bid  their  slaves  adore, 

But  man — is  man,  and  who  is  more  % 
Then  shall  they  longer  lash  and  goad  us  ? 

To  arms  I  to  arms  !  ye  brave,  &c. 

Oh,  Liberty,  can  man  resign  thee, 

Once — having  felt  thy  generous  flame  1 
Can  dungeons,  bolts,  and  bars  confine  thee  ; 

Or  whips  thy  noble  spirit  tame  1 
Too  long — the  world  has  wept,  bewailing, 
.That  falsehood's  dagger — tyrants  wield, 

But  Freedom— is  our  sword,  and  shield, 
And  all  their  arts  are  unavailing. 

To  arms  I  to  arms!  ye  brave,  &c. 


698.    othello's  apology. 
Most  potent,  grave,  and  reverend  seigniors  : 
My  very  noble,  and  approv'd  good  masters : 
That  I  have  ta'en  away  this  old  man's  daughter, 
It  is  most  true  ;  true,  I  have  married  her  : 
The  very  head  and  front  of  my  offending 
Hath  this  extent ;  no  more. 

Rude  am  I  in  speech, 
And  little  blessed  with  the  set  phrase  of  peace: 
For  since  these  arms  of  mine  had  seven  years' 

Pith,  [us'd 

Till  now  some  nine  moons  wasted,  they  have 
Their  dearest  action  in  the  tented  field; 
And  little  of  this  great  world  can  I  speak, 
More  than  pertains  to  feats  of  broils  and  battle; 
And  therefore,  little  shall  I  grace  my  cause, 
In  speaking  of  myself.     Yet,  by  your  patience, 
I  will,  a  round,  unvarnish'd  tale  deliver, 
Of  my  whole  course  of  love  ;  what  drugs,  what 

charms, 
What  conjuration,  and  what  mighty  magic, 
(For  such  proceedings  I  am  charg'd  withal) 
I  won  his  daughter  with. 
Her  father  lov'd  me  ;  oft  invited  me  ; 
Still  questioned  me  the  story  of  my  life, 
From  year  to  year  :  the  battles,  sieges,  fortunes, 
That  I  had  past. 

I  ran  it  through,  e'en  from  my  boyish  days, 
To  the  very  moment,  that  he  bade  me  tell  it. 
Wherein  I  spake  of  most  disastrous  chances: 
Of  moving  accidents  by  flood,  and  field  : 
Of  hairbreath  'scapes,  in  the  imminent  deadly 
Of  being  taken  by  the  insolent  foe,  [breach; 

And  sold  to  slavery  ;  of  my  redemption  thence, 
And  with  it  all  my  travel's  history. 

All  these  to  hear, 
Would  Desdemona  seriously  incline  ; 
But  still  the  house  affairs  would  draw  her  thcnce> 
Which  ever  as  she  could  with  haste  despatch, 
She'd  come  again,  and  with  a  greedy  ear, 
Devour  tip  my  discourse.     Which,  I  observing, 
Took  once  a  pliant  hour,  and  found  good  means 
To  draw  from  Iter  a  prayer  of  earnest  heart, 
That  I  would  all  my  pilgrimage  dilate  ; 
Whereof  by  parcels,  she  had  something  heard, 
But  not  distinctly. 

I  did  consent ; 
And  often  did  beguile  her  of  her  tears, 
When  I  did  speak  of  some  distressful  stroke, 
That  my  youth  suffer'd.     My  story  being  done, 
She  gave  me  for  my  pains,  a  world  of  sighs. 
She  swore  in  faith,  'twas  strange,  'twas  passing 
'Twas  pitiful  ;  'twas  wondrous  pitiful ;   [strange; 
She  wish'd  she  had  not  heard  it :  yet  she  vvish'd 
That  heaven — had  made  her  such  a  man. 
She  thank'd  me, 
And  bade  me,  if  I  had  a  friend  that  lov'd  her, 
I  should  but  teach  him  how  to  tell  my  story, 
And  that  would  woo  her.     On  this  hint  I  spake  ; 
She  lov'd  me,  for  the  dangers  I  had  pass'd  ; 
And  I  lov'd  her,  that  she  did  pity  them. 
This  is  the  only  witchcraft,  which  I've  used. 

Some,  light  of  heart,  may  scorn,  in  later  years, 
Those  dear  memorials — of  a  calmer  time; 

While  others— water  them  with  life's  last  tears, 
Andbear  their  faded  charms  from  clime  to  clime 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


293 


099.  Majesty  of  the  Law.  How  im- 
posing— is  the  majesty  of  the  law !  how  calm 
her  dignity ;  how  vast — her  power;  how  firm, 
and  tranquil,  in  her  reign !  It  is  not  by  fleets, 
and  arms,  by  devastation,  and  wrong,  by  op- 
pression, and  blood — she  maintains  her  sway, 
and  executes  her  decrees.  Sustained  by  Jus- 
tice, reason,  and  the  great  interests  of  man, 
she  but  speaks,  and  is  obeyed.  Even  those, 
who  do  not  approve,  hesitate  not — to  support 
her;  and  the  individual,  upon  whom  her 
judgment  falls,  knows,  that  submission — is 
not  only  a  duty,  he  must  perform,  but,  that 
the  security,  and  enjoyment,  of  all  that  is 
dear  to  him,  depend  upon  it. 

A  mind — accustomed  to  acknowledge  no 
power,  but  physical  force,  no  obedience,  but 
personal  fear,  must  view,  with  astonishment, 
a  feeble  individual,  sitting,  with  no  parade 
of  strength,  surrounded  by  no  visible  agents 
of  power,  issuing  his  decrees  with  oracular 
authority;  while  the  rich,  and  the  great,  the 
first  and  the  meanest — await,  alike,  to  per- 
form his  will.  Still  more  wonderful  is  it — to 
behold  the  co-ordinate  officers  of  the  same 
government,  yielding  their  pretensions  to  his 
higher  influence:  the  executive,  the  usual 
depository  instrument  of  power;  the 

legislature — even  the  representative  of  the 
people,  yield  a  respectful  acquiescence  —  to 
the  judgments  of  the  tribunals  of  the  law, 
pronounced  by  the  minister,  and  expounder 
of  the  law.  Is  it  enough  for  him  to  say — "  It 
is  the  opinion  of  the  court — "  and  the  farthest 
corner  of  our  republic — feels,  and  obeys  the 
mandate.  What  a  sublime  spectacle !  This 
is  indeed,  the  empire  of  the  law ;  and  safe, 
and  happy — are  all  they,  who  dwell  within 
it. — HoptAnson. 

700.  S1EECH  OF  CATILINE,  BEFORE  THE  ROMAX 
SENATE.  ON  HEARING  HIS  SENTENCE  OF  BANISHMENT. 

"  Banish'd — from  Rome !" — what's  banish'd,  but  set 

From  daily  contact — of  the  things  I  loathe !    [free 

'•Tried — and  convicted  traitor!" — Who  says  this? 

Who'll  prove  it,  at  his  peril,  on  my  head?  [chain! 

"Banished!"' — I  thank  you  for't.    It  breaks  my 

I  held  some  slack  allegiance  till  this  hour — 

But  nou — my  sword 's  my  own.  Smile  on,  my  lords; 

I  scorn — to  count  what  feelings,  withered  hopes, 

Strong  provocations,  bitter,  burning  wrongs, 

I  have  within  my  heart's  hot  cells  shut  up, 

To  leave  you — in  your  lazy  dignities. 

But  here  I  stand  and  scoff  you: — here  I  fling 

Hatred,  and  full  defiance  in  your  face. 

Your  consul's  merciful.    For  this — all  thanks. 

lie  dares  not  touch  a  hair  of  Catiline. 

"  Traitor !''  I  go — but  I  return.    This — trial ! 

Here  I  devote  your  senate !     I  've  had  wrongs, 

To  stir  a  fever  in  the  blood  of  age, 

Or  make  the  infant's  sinew  strong  as  steel. 

This  day's  ;he  birth  of  sorrows !— This  hour's  work 

Will  breed  proscriptions.— Look  to  your  hearths, 

my  lords, 
For  there,  henceforth,  shall  sit,  for  household  gods, 
Shapes  hot  from  Tartarus !  all  shames,  and  crimes; 
Wan  Treachery,  with  his  thirsty  dagger  drawn; 
Suspicion,  poisoning  his  brother's  cup; 
Naked  Rebellion,  with  the  torch,  and  axe, 
Making  his  wild  sport — of  your  blazing  thrones; 
Till  Anarchy — comes  down  on  you,  like  Night, 
And  Massacre  seals  Rome's  eternal  grave.— Croly. 

2b2 


701.      DOCTOR  AND   PUPIL. 

A  pupil  of  the  Esculapian  school, 
Was  just  prepared  to  quit  his  master's  rule  : 
Not  that  he  knew  his  trade,  as  it  appears, 
But  that  he  then  had  learnt  it  seven  years. 

One  morn,  he  thus  addressed  his  master  : 
"Dear  sir,  my  honored  father  bids  me  say, 
If  I  could  now  and  then  a  visit  pay, 
He  thinks,  with  you, — to  notice  how  you  do, 

My  business  I  might  learn  a  little  faster." 

"The  thought  is  happy,"  the  preceptor  cries; 
"  A  better  method  he  could  scarce  devise ; 
So  Bob,"  (his  pupil's  name)  "it  shall  be  so; 
And  when  I  next  pay  visits,  you  shall  go." 

To  bring  that  hour,  alas !  time  briskly  fled : 

With  dire  intent  away  they  went, 

And  now,  behold  them  at  a  patient's  bed 

The  master-doctor  solemnly  perused 

His  victim's  face,  and  o'er  his  symptoms  mused; 

Looked  wise,  said  nothing — an  unerring  way, 

When  people  nothing  have  to  say  : 

Then  felt  his  pulse,  and  smelt  his  cane, 

And  paused,  and  blinked,  and  smelt  again, 

And  briefly  of  his  corps  performed  each  motion  ; 
Manoeuvres  that  for  Death's  platoon  are  meant : 
A  kind  of  a  Make-ready-and-Present, 

Before  the  fell  discharge  of  pill  and  potion. 

At  length,  the  patient's  wife  he  thus  addressed: 
'•  Madam,  your  husband's  danger  's  great, 
And  (what  will  never  his  complaint  abate,) 
The  man 's  been  eating  oysters,  I  perceive."' — 
"Dear!  you're  a  witch,  I  verily  believe," 

Madam  replied,  and  to  the  truth  confessed. 

Skill  so  prodigious,  Bobby,  too,  admired; 
And  home  returning,  of  the  sage  inquired 

How  these  same  oysters  came  into  his  head? 
"  Psha!  my  dear  Bob,  the  thing  was  plain — 
Sure  that  can  ne'er  distress  thy  brain; 

I  saw  the  shells  lie  underneath  the  bed." 
So  wise,  by  such  a  lesson  grown, 
Next  day,  Bob  ventured  out  alone, 

And  to  the  self-same  sufferer  paid  his  court — 
But  soon,  with  haste  and  wonder  out  of  breath, 
Returned  the  stripling  minister  of  death, 

And  to  his  master  made  this  dread  report: 
"  Why,  sir,  we  ne'er  can  keep  that  patient  under; 

Zounds  !  such  a  man  I  never  came  across ! 
The  fellow  must  be  dying,  and  no  wonder, 

For  ne'er  believe  me  if  he  has  n't  eat  a  horse  !* 
"  A  horse  !"  the  elder  man  of  physic  cried, 
As  if  he  meant  his  pupil  to  deride — 
"  How  got  so  wild  a  notion  in  your  bead?" 

"  How !  think  not  in  my  duty  I  was  idle ; 
Like  you,  I  took  a  peep  beneath  the  bed, 

And  there  I  saw  a  saddle  and  a  bridle !" 

Mr.  Locke  —  was  asked,  how  he  had  con- 
trived to  accumulate  a  mine  of  knowledge 
so  rich,  yet  so  extensive  and  so  deep.  He 
replied,  that  he  attributed  what  little  he 
knew  —  to  the  not  having  been  ashamed 
to  ask  for  information ,  and  to  the  rule  he 
had  laid  down,  of  conversing  with  all  de- 
scriptions of  men,  on  those  "topics  chiefly, 
that  formed  their  own  peculiar  professions 
or  pursuits. 


294 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


703.  The  Resurrection  of  the  Lord. 
Twice — had  the  sun — gone  down  upon  the 
earth,  and  all  as  yet,  was  silent — at  the  sep- 
ulchre. Death — held- his  sceptre — over  the 
Son  of  God.  Still — and  silent — the  hours 
passed  on ;  the  guards — stood  at  their  post  ,• 
the  rays  of  the  midnight  moon — gleamed  on 
their  helmets,  and  on  their  spears.  The  ene- 
mies of  Christ — exulted  in  their  success  ;  the 
hearts  of  h\s  friends — were  sunk  in  despon- 
dency ;  the  spirits  of  glory — waited,  in  anx- 
ious suspense — to  behold,  the  event,  a.nd  won- 
dered— at  the  depth — of  the  ways  of  God. 
At  length,  the  morning  star,  arising  in  the 
east,  announced  the  approach  of  light.  The 
third  day — began  to  dawn  upon  the  world  ; 
when,  on  a  sudden,  the  earth — trembled — to 
its  centre ;  and  the  powers  of  heaven  were 
shaken ;  an  angel  of  God — descended ;  the 
guards — shrunk  back — from  the  terror  of 
his  presence,  and  fell  prostrate  —  on  the 
ground.  "His  countenance — was  like  light- 
ning, and  his  raiment — white  as  snow."  He 
rolled  away  the  stone  from  the  door  of  the 
sepulchre,  and  sat  upon  it.  But  who  is  this, 
that  cometh  forth  from  the  tomb,  with  dyed 
garments — from  the  bed  of  death  ?  He,  that 
fs  glorious  in  his  appearance,  walking  in  the 
greatness — of  his  strength  ?  It  is  thy  prince, 
0  Zion !  Christian,  it  is  your  Lord  !  He 
hath  trodden  the  wine-press  alone  ;  he  hath 
stained  his  raiment  with  blood;  but  now,  as 
the  first  born — from  the  womb  of  nature,  he 
meets — the  morning  of  his  resurrection.  He 
arises  a  conqueror — from  the  grave;  he  re- 
turns with  blessings — from  the  world  of  spir- 
its ;  he  brings  salvation — to  the  sons  of  men. 
Never — did  the  returning  sun — usher  in  a 
day  so  glorious.  It  was  the  jubilee — of  the 
universe.  The  morning  stars  sung  together, 
and  all  the  sons  of  God  shouted  aloud — for 
joy.  The  Father  of  mercies — looked  down 
from  his  throne  in  the  heavens  ;  with  com- 
j)lacency  he  beheld  his  world — restored;  he 
saw  his  loork,  that  it  was  good.  Then,  did 
the  desert  rejoice,  the  face  of  nature  was 
gladdened  before  him,  when  the  blessings  of 
the  Eternal  descended,  as  the  dews  of  heav- 
en, for  the  refreshing  of  the  nations. 

703.      SLANDER. 

What  is  slander? 
'Tis  an  assassin — at  the  midnight  hour 
Urged  on  by  Envy,  that,  with  footstep  soft, 
Steals  on  the  slumber — of  sweet,  innocence, 
And  with  the  dark  drawn  dagger  of  the  mind, 
Drinks  deep — the  crimson  current  of  the  heart. 
It  is  a  worm,  that  crawls  on  beaMy's  cheek, 
Like  the  vile  viper — in  a  vale  of  forcers, 
And  note  in  ambrosial  blossoms  there. 
It  is  a  coward — in  a  coat  of  mail, 
That  wages  war — against  the  brave,  and  wise, 
And,  like  the  long  lean  lizard,  that  will  mar 
The  lion's  sleep,  it  wounds  the  noblest  breast. 
Oft  have  I  seen — this  demon  of  the  soul, 
This  murderer  of  sleep,  with  visage  smooth, 
And  countenance — serene  as  heaven's  own  shy  ; 
But  storms — were  raving — in  the  world  of  thought : 
Oft,  have  I  seen  a  snu'le — upon  its  brow; 
But,  like  the  lightning — from  a  stormy  cloud, 
It  shocked  the  soul — and  disappeared  in  darkness. 
Oft,  have  I  seen  it  weep — at  tales  of  wo,  [anguish; 
And  sigh — as  'twere  the  heart — would  break  with 
But,  like  the  drop,  that  drips  from  Java's  tree, 


And  the  fell  blast,  that  sweeps  Arabian  sands, 
It  withered — every  floweret  of  the  vale. 

I  saw  it  tread  upon  a  lily  fair, 
A  maid — of  whom  the  world — could  say  no  harm ; 
And,  when  she  stink — beneath  the  mortal  wound, 
It  broke — into  the  sacred  sepulchre. 
And  dragged  its  victim — from  the  hallowed  grave, 
For  public  eyes  to  gaze  on.    It  hath  ivept, 
That  from  the  earth — its  victim  passed  away, 
Ere  it  had  taken  vengeance — on  his  virtues. 
Yea,  I  have  seen  this  cursed  child  of  Envy., 
Breathe  mildew — on  the  saered  fame — of  him, 
Who  once  had  been  his  country's  benefactor ; 
And,  on  the  sepulchre — of  his  repose. 
Bedewed  with  many  a  tributary  tear, 
Dance,  in  the  moonlight  of  a  summer's  sky, 
With  savage  satisfaction. — Mi/ford  Bard. 

THE   STAR   OF    BETHLEHEM. 

When  marshaled — on  the  nightly  plain, 

The  glittering  host — bestud  the  sky ; 
One  star  alone,  of  all  the  train, 

Can  fix  the  sinner's  wandering  eye. 
Hark !  hark  !  to  God — the  chorus  breaks, 

From  every  host,  from  every  gem ; 
But  one  alone,  the  Savior  speaks, 

It  is  the  star  of  Bethlehem. 
Once,  on  the  raging  seas  I  rode  ; 

The  storm  was  loud,  the  night  was  dark, 
The  ocean  yawned,  and  rudely  blow'd 

The  wind,  that  tossed  my  foundering  bark. 
Deep  horror,  then,  my  vitals  froze, 

Death-struck,  I  ceased  the  tide  to  stem  ; 
When  suddenly,  a  star  arose, 

It  was  the  star  of  Bethlehem. 
It  was  my  guide,  my  light,  my  all, 

It  bade  my  dark  forebodings  cease, 
And  through  the  storm,  and  danger's  thrall, 

It  led  me — to  the  port  of  peace. 
Now,  safely  moor'd — my  perils  o'er, 

I  '11  sing,  first  in  night's  diadem, 
Forever,  and  forever  more, 

The  star,  the  star  of  Bethlehem— Wliite ! 

EVE'S  LOVE   FOR  ADAM. 

To  whom  thus  Eve,  with  perfect  beauty  adorn'd : 
"  My  author  and  disposer,  what  thou  bid'st 
Unargued  I  obey  :  so  God  ordains  ; 
God  is  thy  law,  thou  mine  :  to  know  no  more 
Is  woman's  happiest  knowledge  and  her  praise. 
With  thee  conversing  I  forget  all  time  ; 
All  seasons  and  their  change,  all  please  alike. 
Sweet  is  the  breath  of  morn,  her  rising  sweet, 
With  charm  of  earliest  birds;  pleasant  the  son. 
When  first  on  this  delightful  land  he  spreads 
His  orient  beams,  on  herb,  tree,  fruit,  and  flower, 
Glistering  with  dew;  fragrant  the  fertile  earth 
After  soft  showers ;  and  sweet  the  coming  on 
Of  grateful  evening  mild  ;  then  silent  night, 
With  this  her  solemn  bird,  and  this  fair  moon, 
And  these  gems  of  heaven,  her  starry  train: 
But  neither  breath  of  morn,  when  she  ascends 
With  charm  of  earliest  birds;  nor  rising  sun 
On  this  delightful  land ;  nor  herb,  fruit,  flower, 
Glistering  with  dew;  nor  fragrance  after  showers. 
Nor  grateful  evening  mild  ;  nor  silent  night, 
With  this  her  solemn  bird  ;  nor  walk  by  moon, 
Or  glittering  starlight,  without  thee  is  sweet. 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


295 


704.    The  Female  Character.    If  we 

glance  at  those  domestic  relations,  which  wo- 
man sustains,  she  appeals  in  an  attitude 
highly  interesting.  Is  she  a  daughter  ?  She 
has  a  strong  hold  on  the  parental  hosom.  By 
her  kind,  discreet,  obedient,  dutiful  conduct, 
she  contributes  greatly  to  the  happiness  of 
those,  who  tenderly  love  her,  and  who  are 
her  natural  guardians,  and  guides.  Or,  by 
the  opposite  conduct,  she  disappoints  their 
hopes,  and  pierces  their  hearts  with  sorrow. 
Just  in  proportion  to  the  superior  strength, 
and  tenderness  of  parental  affection,  is  the 
happiness  or  misery  resulting  from  the  kind, 
or  unkind  deportment  of  a  daughter. 

Is  she  a  sister?  If  intelligent  and  virtu- 
ous, she  sheds  the  most  kindly  influence  on 
the  little  circle  of  kindred  spirits  in  which 
she  daily  moves.  Is  she  a  wife  ?  The  rela- 
tion is  most  endearing,  and  its  duties  most 
important.  Taken,  originally,  from  man's 
heart,  she  is  ever  to  be  his  most  kind,  atfec- 
iionate  and  faithful  partner.  To  contribute 
to  his  happiness,  is  always  to  be  her  first 
earthly  care.  It  is  hers,  not  merely  to  amuse 
his  leisure  hours,  but  to  be  his  intelligent  com- 
panion, friend,  and  counsellor ;  his  second 
self;  his  constant  and  substantial  helper,  both 
as  to  the  concerns  of  this  life,  and  as  to  his 
eternal  interests.  She  is  to  do  him  good,  all 
the  days  of  her  life.  And  by  so  doing,  to 
dwell  in  his  heart.  Is  she  a  mother?  It  is 
hers,  in  no  small  degree,  to  form  the  charac- 
ter of  the  next  generation.  Constantly  with 
her  children,  having  the  chief  care  of  them  in 
their  infancy,  and  early  childhood,— the  most 
susceptible,  the  forming  period  of  life, — to 
her,  in  an  important  sense,  are  committed 
the  character,  and  the  destiny — of  individu- 
als, and  nations.  Many  of  the  most  distin- 
guished, and  of  the  most  excellent  men,  this, 
or  any  country  has  produced,  were  indebted, 
under  God,  chiefly  to  the  exertions  of  their 
mothers,  during  their  early  childhood. 

Thus  viewed  in  her  domestic  relations,  wo- 
man appears  in  a  highly  interesting  light. 
So  she  does,  when  seen  in  other  stations. 
See  her  taking  an  active  part  in  various  be- 
nevolent associations.  There,  she  exerts  an 
influence  in  the  cause  of  humanity,  and  of 
religion,  the  most  powerful,  and  beneficial. 
Like  an  angel  of  mercy  on  the  wing,  she 
performs  her  part  with  promptitude  and 
compassion. 

705.      THE   CONST"  9*\    OF   WOMAN. 

Woman  !  Blest  partnei  „i  our  joys  and  woes  ! 
Even  in  the  darkest  hour  of  earthly  ill, 
Untarnished  yet,  thy  fond  affection  glows, 
Throbs  with  each  pulse,  and  beats  with  every 
thrill !  [still, 

Bright  o'er  the  wasted  scene  thou  hoverest 
Angel  of  comfort  to  the  failing  soul; 
Undaunted  by  the  tempest,  wild  and  chill, 
That  pours  its  restless  and  disastrous  roll. [howl. 

O'er  all  that  blooms  below,  with  sad  and  hollow 
When  sorro' rends  the  heart,whenfev'rish  pain 
Wrings  the  hot  drops  of  anguish  from  the  brow, 
To  soothe  the  30ul,  to  cool  the  burning  brain, 
O  !  who  so  welcome  and  so  prompt  as  thou ! 
The  battle's  hurried  scene,  and  angry  glow, — 
The  death-encircled  pillow  of  distress,— 
The  lonely  moments  of  secluded  wo — 
Alike  thy  care  and  constancy  confess,     [bless. 

Alike  thy  pitying  hand  and  fearless  friendship 


70G.      ALEXANDER   SELKIRK. 

I  am  monarch — of  all  I  survey, 

My  right  there  is  none  to  dispute; 
From  the  centre — all  round  to  the  sea, 

I  am  lord  of  the  fowl  and  the  brute. 
Oh  solitude!  where  are  the  charms, 

That  sages — have  seen  in  thy  face  ? 
Better  dwell — in  the  midst  of  alarms, 

Than  reign — in  this  horrible  place. 
I  am  out — of  humanity's  reach, 

I  must  finish  my  journey — alone; 
Never  hear  the  sweet  music  of  speech  ; 

I  start — at  the  sound  of  my  own. 
The  beasts,  that  roam  over  the  plain, 

My  form,  with  indifference  see  : 
They  are  so  unacquainted  with  man, 

Their  tameness — is  shocking  to  me. 
Society,  friendship,  and  love, 

Divinely  bestow'd  upon  man, 
Oh,  had  I  the  wings  of  a  dove, 

How  soon  would  I  taste  you  again  ! 
My  sorrows — I  then  might  assuage, 

In  the  ways  of  religion  and  truth  ; 
Might  learn  from  the  wisdom  of  age, 

And  be  cheer'd — by  the  sallies  of  youth. 
Religion!  what  treasure  untold, 

Resides  in  that  heavenly  word  ! 
More  precious — than  silver  or  gold, 

Or  all,  that  this  earth  can  afford. 
But  the  sound  of  the  church-going  bell, 

These  valleys,  and  rocks,  never  heard  ; 
Ne'er  sigh'd — at  the  sound  of  a  knell, 

Or  smil'd,  when  a  sabbath  appear'd. 
Ye  winds,  that  have  made  me  your  sport, 

Convey  to  this  desolate  shore, 
Some  cordial,  endearing  report, 

Of  a  land,  I  shall  visit  uo  more. 
My  friends,  do  they  now  and  then  send, 

A  wish,  or  a  thought  after  me  t 
O  tell  me,  1  yet  have  a  friend, 

Though  a  friend  I  am  never  to  see. 
How  fleet  is  a  glance  of  the  mind ! 

Compar'd  with  the  speed  of  its  flight, 
The  tempest  itself  lags  behind, 

And  the  swift-wing'd  arrows  of  light; 
When  I  think  of  my  own  native  land, 

In  a  moment,  I  seem  to  be  there; 
But,  alas!  recollection  at  hand, 

Soon  hurries  me  back  to  despair. 
But  the  sea-fowl — is  gone  to  her  nest, 

The  beast  is  laid  down  in  his  lair ; 
Even  here — is  a  season  of  rest, 

And  I — to  my  cabin  repair. 
There's  mercy — in  every  place  ; 

And  mercy — encouraging  thought ! 
Gives  even  affliction  a  grace, 

And  reconciles  man  to  his  lot. — Coicper. 

BATTLE. 

Now  shield — with  shield,  with  helmet, — helmet 
To  armor — armor,  lance  to  lance  oppos'd;[clos'd, 
Host— against  host, the  shadowy  squadrons  drew; 
The  sounding  darts — in  iron  tempest  flew. 
Victors,  and  vanquish'd,  join  promiscuous  cries, 
And  thrilling  shouts— and  dying  groans  arise  : 
With  streaming  blood,  the  slipp'ry  fields  are  dy'd, 
And  slaughter'd  heroes,  swell  the  dreadful  tide. 


296 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


707.  The  Streax  of  Life.  Life — bears 
us  on  like  the  stream  of  a  mighty  river.  Our 
boat,  at  first  glides  down  the  narrow  channel, 
through  the  playful  murmurings  of  the  little 
brook,  and  the  windings  of  its  grassy  border. 
The  trees  shed  their  blossoms  over  our  young 
heads,  the  flowers,  on  the  brink,  seem  to  offer 
themselves  to  our  young  hands ;  we  are  hap- 

Ey  in  hope,  and  "we  grasp  eagerly,  at  the 
eauties  around  us;  but  the  stream  hurries 
on,  and  still  our  hands  are  empty. 

Our  course  in  youth,  and  manhood,  is  along 
a  wider,  and  deeper  flood,  and  amid  objects 
more  striking,  and  magnificent.  We  are  ani- 
mated by  the  moving  picture  of  enjoyment, 
and  industry,  which  passes  before  us;  we 
are  excited  by  some  short-lived  success,  or 
depressed,  and  made  miserable,  by  some 
equally  short-lived  disappointment.  But  our 
energy,  and  our  dependence  are  both  in  vain. 
The  stream  bears  us  on,  and  our  joys,  and 
our  griefs,  are  alike,  left  behind  us;  we  may 
be  shipwrecked,  but  we  cannot  anchor;  our 
voyage  may  be  hastened,  but  it  cannot  be  de- 
layed ;  whether  rough  or  smooth,  the  river 
hastens  towards  its  home,  till  the  roaring  of 
the  ocean  is  in  our  ears,  and  the  tossing  of 
the  waves  is  beneatli  our  keel:  and  the  lands 
lessen  from  our  eyes,  and  the  floods  are  lifted 
up  around  us,  and  the  earth  loses  sight  of  us, 
and  we  take  our  last  leave  of  earth,  and  of  its 
inhabitants  ;  and  of  our  further  voyage,  there 
is  no  witness,  but  the  Infinite  and  the  Eternal. 

And  do  we  still  take  so  much  anxious 
thought  for  future  days,  when  the  days  which 
have  gone  by,  have  so  strangely,  and  uniform- 
ly deceived  us !  Can  we  still  so  set  our 
hearts  on  the  creatures  of  God,  when  we  find 
by  sad  experience,  the  Creator  only  is  perma- 
nent 1  Or,  shall  we  not  rather  lay  aside  every 
weight,  and  every  sin  which  doth  most  easily 
beset  us,  and  think  of  ourselves,  henceforth, 
as  wayfaring  persons  only,  who  have  no 
abiding  inheritance,  but  in  the  hope  of  a  bet- 
ter world,  and  to  whom  even  that  world 
would  be  worse  than  hopeless,  if  it  were  not 
for  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  the  interest  we 
have  obtained  in  his  mercies. 

70S.      THE   OLD    HAT. 

I  had  a  hat — it  was  not  all  a  hat — 
Part  of  the  brim  was  gone, — yet  still,  I  wore 
It  on,  and  people  wondered,  as  I  passed. 
Some,  turned  to  gaze — others,  just  cast  an  eye, 
And  soon  withdrew  it,  as  'twere  in  contempt. 
But  still,  my  hat,  although  so  fashionless, 
In  complement  extern,  had  that  within, 
Surpassing  show— my  head  continued  warm  ; 
Being  sheltered  from  the  weather,  spite  of  all 
The  want  (as  has  been  said,)  of  brim. 
A  change  came  o'er  the  color  of  my  hat. 
That,  which  was  black,  grew  brown,  and  then 

nun  stared 
With  both  their  eyes  (they  stared  with  one  before); 
The  wonder  now,  was  twofold— and  it  seemed 
Strange,  that  things  so  torn,  and  old,  should  still 

Be  worn,  by  one  who  might but  let  that  pass! 

I  had  my  reasons,  which  might  be  revealed, 
But.  for  some  counter  reasons  far  more  strong, 
Which  ti"d  my  tongue  to  silence.  Time  passed  on. 
Green   spring,    and    flowery    summer— autumn 

brown, 
And  frosty  winter  came, — and  went,  and  came — 
And  still,  through  all  the  seasons  of  two  years, 


In  park,  in  city,  yea,  in  routs  and  balls,        [wild 
The  hat  was  worn,  and  borne.    Then  folks  grew 
With  curiosity, — and  whispers  rose, 
And  questions  passed  about— how  one  so  trim 
In  coats,  boots,  pumps,  gloves,  trousers,  could 
His  caput — in  a  covering  so  vile.  [ensconce 

A  change  came  o'er  the  nature  of  my  hat — 
Grease-spots  appeared— but  still  in  silence,  on 
I  wore  it — and  then  family,  and  friends 
Glared  madly  at  each  other.     There  was  one, 
Who  said— but  hold — no  matter  what  was  said, 

A  time  may  come,  when  I away — away — 

Not  till  the  season's  ripe,  can  I  reveal 
Thoughts  that  do  lie  too  deep  for  common  minds, 
Till  then,  the  world  shall  not  pluck  out  the  heart 
Of  this,  my  mystery.     When  I  will — I  will ! — 

The  hat  was  now — greasy,  and  old,  and  torn 

But  torn — old — greasy — still  I  wore  it  on. 
A  change  came  o'er  the  business  of  this  hat. 
Women,  and  men,  and  children,  scowled  on  me; 
My  company  was  shunned — I  was  alone ! 
None  would  associate  with  such  a  hat — 
Friendship  itself  proved  faithless,  for  a  hat. 
She,  that  I  loved,  within  whose  gentle  breast 
I  treasured  up  my  heart,  looked  cold  as  death — 
Love's  fires  went  out — extinguished — by  a  hat. 
Of  those,  that  knew  me  best,  some  turned  aside, 
And  scudded  down  dark  lanes — one  man  did  place 
His  finger  on  his  nose's  side,  and  jeered — 
Others,  in  horrid  mockery,  laughed  outright; 
Yea,  dogs,  deceived  by  instinct's  dubious  ray, 
Fixing  their  swart  glare  on  my  ragged  hat, 
Mistook  me  for  a  beggar — and  they  barked. 
Thus,  women,   men,   friends,  strangers,  lover, 
One  thought  pervaded  all — it  was  my  hat.  [dogs, 
A  change — it  was  the  last — came  o'er  this  hat. 
For  lo  !  at  length,  the  circling  months  went  round, 
The  period  was  accomplished — and  one  day 
This  tattered,  brown,  old,  greasy  coverture, 
(Time  had  endeared  its  vileness,)  was  transferr'd 
To  the  possession  of  a  wandering  son — 
Of  Israel's  fated  race — and  friends  once  more 
Greeted  my  digits,  with  the  wonted  squeeze  : 
Once  more  I  went  my  way — along — along — 
And  plucked  no  wondering  gaze — the  hand  of 
With  its  annoying  fi..7er — men,  and  dogs,  [scorn 
Once  more  grew^\>..>»;ess,  jokeless,  laughless, 

growlless: 
And  last,  not  least  of  rescued  blessings,  love — 
Love  smiled  on  me  again,  when  I  assumed 
A  bran  new  beaver  of  the  Andre  mould; 
And  then  the  laugh  was  mine.,  for  then  came  out 
The  secret  of  this  strangeness, — 'twas  a  bet. 
What  are  riches,  empire,  pow'r, 
But  larger  means  to  gratify  the  will  1 
The  steps  on  which  we  tread,  to  rise  and  reach 
Our  wish  ;  and  that  obtain'd,  down  with  the  scaf- 
folding [served  their  end, 
Of  sceptres,   crowns,   and   thrones;  they  have 
And  are,  like  lumber,  to  be  left  and  scorn'd. 
Honor  and  virtue— are  the  boons  we  claim; 
Nought  gives  a  zest  to  life,  when  they  are  fled  ; 
Nought  else,  can  fan  aright  the  holy  flame  : 
And,  should  they  perish,  every  hope  is  dead. 

Tbe  man,  who  builds,  anrt  lacks  wherewith  to  pay, 
Provides  a  house — from  which  to  run  away. 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


297 


708.  Character  of  Pitt.  The  secre- 
tary— stood  alone ;  modern  degeneracy — had 
not  reached  him.  Original,  and  unaccom- 
modating, the  features  of  his  character — had 
the  hardihood  of  antiquity.  His  august  mind 
overawed  majesty :  and  one  of  his  sovereigns 
thought  royalty — so  impaired  in  his  presence, 
that  be  conspired  to  remove  him,  in  order  to 
be  relieved  from  his  superiority.  No  state 
chicanery,  no  narrow  system  of  vicious  poli- 
tics, sank  him  to  the  vulgar  level  of  the  great ; 
bri  overbearing,  persuasive,  and  impractic- 
«ivAe,  his  object — was  England,  his  ambition 
was  fame.  Without  dividing,  he  destroyed 
party ;  without  corrupting,  he  made  a  venal 
age  unanimous. 

France  —  sank  beneath  him.  With  one 
hand,  he  smote  the  house  of  Bourbon,  and 
wielded,  with  the  other,  the  democracy  of 
England.  The  sight  of  his  mind — was  infi- 
nite; and  his  schemes  were  to  affect,  not 
England,  and  the  present  age  only,  but  Eu- 
rope, and  posterity.  Wonderful  were  the 
means,  by  which  these  schemes  were  accom- 
plished ;  always  seasonable,  always  adequate, 
the  suggestions  of  an  understanding,  ani- 
mated by  ardor,  and  enlightened  by  prophecy. 

The  ordinary  feelings,  which  render  life 
amiable,  and  indolent,  were  unknown  to  him. 
No  domestic  difficulty,  no  domestic  weakness 
reached  him ;  but,  aloof  from  the  sordid  oc- 
currences of  life,  and  unsullied  by  its  inter- 
course, he  came,  occasionally,  into  our  system, 
to  counsel,  and  to  decide.  A  character  so 
exalted,  so  strenuous,  so  various,  and  so  au- 
thoritative, astonished  a  corrupt  age ;  and  the 
Treasury-  trembled  at  the  name  of  Pitt,  thro' 
all  her  classes  of  venality.  Corruption  ima- 
gined, indeed,  that  she  had  found  defects  in 
this  statesman;  and  talked  much  of  the  ruin 
of  his  victories ;  but  the  history  of  his  country, 
and  the  calamities  of  the  enemy,  refuted  her. 

Nor  were  his  political  abilities — his  only 
talents:  his  eloquence — was  an  era — in  the 
senate ;  peculiar,  and  spontaneous,  familiarly 
expressing  gigantic  sentiments,  and  instinc- 
tive wisdom ;  not  like  the  torrent  of  Demos- 
thenes, or  the  splendid  conflagration  of  Tully, 
it  resembled  sometimes  the  thunder,  and 
sometimes  the  music  of  the  spheres.  He  did 
not,  like  Murray,  conduct  the  understanding 
through  the  painful  subtlety  of  argumenta- 
tion, nor  was  he,  like  Townshend,  forever  on 
the  rack  of  exertion;  but,  rather,  lightened 
upon  the  subject,  and  reached  the  point  by 
flashings  of  the  mind,  which,  like  those  of  his 
eye,  were,  felt,  but  could  not  be  followed. 

Upon  the  whole,  there  was  something  in 
this  man,  that  could  create,  subvert,  or  re- 
form ;  an  understanding,  a  spirit,  and  an  elo- 
quence, to  summon  mankind  to  society,  or  to 
break  the  bonds  of  slavery  asunder,  and  to 
rule  the  wilderness  of  free  minds  with  un- 
bounded authority  —  something  that  could 
establish,  or  overwhelm  empires,  and  strike 
a  blow  in  the  world,  which  should  resound 
throughout  the  universe. — Grattan. 

Reward  him  for  the  noble  deed,  just  Heaven ! 
For  this  one  action,  guard  him.and  distinguish  him, 
With  signal  mercies  and  with  great  deliverances; 
Save  him  from  wrong,  adversity  and  shame  : 
Let  never-fading  honor  flourish  round  him, 
And  consecrate  his  name  ev'n  to  lime's  end: 
Let  him  know  nothing  but  good  on  earth, 
And  everlasting  blessedness  hereafter. 
38 


709.      LOCHINVAR. 

O  young  Lochinvar  is  come  out  of  the  west, 
Thro'  all  the  wide  border,  his  steed  was  the  best— 
And  save  his  good  broadsword,  he  weapon  had 
He  rode  all  unarmed,  and  he  rode  all  alone,  [none, 
So  faithful  in  love,  and  so  dauntless  in  war, 
There  never  was  knight,  like  the  young  Lochinvar. 

He  staid  not  for  brake,  and  he  stopp'd  not  for  stone, 
He  swam  the  Eske  river,  where  ford  there  was 
But  ere  he  alighted,  at  Netherby  gate,  [none. 

The  bride  had  consented,  the  gallant  came  late. 
For  a  laggard  in  love,  and  a  dastard  in  war, 
Was  to  wed  the  fair  Ellen,  of  brave  Lochinvar. 

So  boldly  he  enter'd  the  Netherby  Hall,  [all, 

'Mong  bridesmen,  and  kinsmen,  and  brothers  and 
Then  spoke  the  bride's  father,his  hand  on  his  sword, 
For  the  poor  craven  bridegroom  said  never  a  word, 
"O  come  ye  in  peace,  here, or  come  ye  in  war, 
Orto  dance  at  our  bridal,  young  Lord  Lochinvar?" 
"  I  long  woo'd  your  daughter,  my  suit  you  denied ; 
Love  swells  like  the  Solway,  but  ebbs  like  its  tide; 
And  now  am  I  come,  with  this  lost  love  of  mine, 
To  tread  but  one  measure,  drink  one  cup  of  wine. 
There  are  maidens  in  Scotland,  more  lovely  by  far, 
That  would  gladly  be  bride  to  the  young  Lochin- 
var." 
The  bride  kiss'd  the  goblet,  the  knight  took  it  up, 
He  quaff 'd  off  the  wine,  and  he  threw  down  the  cup. 
She  look'd  down  to  blush:  and  she  look'd  up  to  sigh, 
With  a  smile  on  her  lip,  and  a  tear  in  her  eye. 
He  took  her  soft  hand,  ere  her  mother  could  bar; 
"  Now  tread  we  a  measure, "said  young  Lochinvar. 
So  stately  his  form,  and  so  lovely  her  face, 
That  never  a  ball  such  a  galliard  did  grace ; 
While  her  mother  did  fret,  and  her  father  did  fume. 
And  the  bridegroom — stood  dangling  his  bonnet 
and  plume,  [ter  by  far, 

And  the  bride  maidens  whispered,  "  T  were  bet- 
To  have   match'd  our  fair  cousin,  with  young 

Lochinvar." 
One  touch  to  her  hand,  and  one  word  in  her  eaT, 
When  they  reach'd  the  hall  door,  and  the  charger 

stood  near, 
So  light  to  the  croupe,  the  fair  lady  he  swung, 
So  light  to  the  saddle,  before  her  he  sprung, 
"  She's  won,  we  are  gone,  over  bank,  bush,  and 
scaur,  [young  Lochinvar. 

They  '11  have    swift    steeds    that  follow,"  quoth 

There  was  mounting  'mongGrcemesof  the  Nether- 
by clan,  [they  ran, 
Fosters,  Fenwicks,  and  Musgraves,  they  rode  and 
There  was  racing,  and  chasing  on  CannobieLea, 
But  the  lost  bride  of  Netherby  ne'er  did  they  see. 
So  daring  in  love,  and  so  gallant  in  war,  [invar? 
Have  you  e'er  heard  of  gallant  like  young  Loch- 

The  good  merchant  wrongs  not  the  buyer 
in  number,  weight,  or  measure.  These  are 
the  landmarks  of  all  trading,  which  must  not 
be  removed:  for  such  cosenage  were  worse 
than  open  felony.  First,  because  they  rob  a 
man  of  his  purse,  and  never  bid  him  stand. 
Secondly,  because  highway  thieves  defy,  but 
these  pretend,  justice.  Thirdly,  as  much  as 
lies  in  their  power,  they  endeavor  to  make 
God  accessory  to  their  cosenage,  deceiving, 
by  pretending  his  weights. 


298 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


710.      ECT.OGIUM  ON  KOSCIUSKO. 

Speech  of  Gen.  W.  H.  Harrison,  the  ninth  President,  in  the  Con. 

gress  of  the  United  States,  in  the  year  ISIS,  on  a  motion  to  adopt 

6ome  public  testimony  of  respect  for  the  memory  of  General 

Thaddeus  Kosciusko. 

The  public  papers — have  announced  an  event, 
•which  is  well  calculated — to  excite  the  sympathy 
— of  every  American  bosom.  Kosciusko,  the 
martyr  of  Liberty,  is  no  more  !  We  are  inform- 
ed, that  he  died  at  Soleure,  in  France,  some  time 
in  October  last. 

In  tracing  the  events — of  this  great  man's  life, 
we  find  in  him,  that  consistency  of  conduct,  which 
is  the  more  to  be  admired,  as  it  is  so  rarely  to  be 
met  with.  He  was  not,  at  one  time,  the  friend  of 
mankind,  and  at  another,  the  instrument  of  their 
oppression;  but  he  preserved,  throughout  his 
whole  career,  those  noble  principles,  which  dis- 
tinguished him  in  its  commencement ;  which  in- 
fluenced him,  at  an  early  period  of  his  life,  to 
leave  his  country — and  his  friends,  and,  in  another 
hemisphere,  to  fight — for  the  rights— of  humanity. 
Kosciusko  was  born,  and  educated,  in  Poland  ; 
(of  a  noble,  and  distinguished  family.)  a  country, 
where  the  distinctions  in  society  are,  perhaps, 
carried  to  greater  lengths,  than  in  any  other.  His 
Creator  had,  however,  endowed  him  with  a  soul 
capable  of  rising  above  the  narrow  prejudices 
of  a  caste,  and  breaking  the  shackles,  which  a 
vicious  education  had  imposed  on  his  mind. 
When  he  was  very  young,  he  was  informed,  by 
the  voice  of  Fame,  that  the  standard  of  liberty 
had  been  erected  in  America — that  an  insulted 
and  oppressed  people — had  determined  to  be  free, 
or  perish — in  the  attempt.  His  ardent  and  gen- 
erous mind — caught,  with  enthusiasm,  the  holy 
flame,  and  from  that  moment  he  became  the  dovo- 
ted  soldier  of  liberty.  His  rank  in  the  American 
army — afforded  him  no  opportunity — greatly  to 
distinguish  himself.  But  he  was  remarkable — 
through  his  service,  for  all  the  qualities  which 
adorn  the  human  character.  His  heroic  valor  in 
the  field,  could  only  be  equaled— by  his  modera- 
tion and  affability,  in  the  walks  of  private  life. 
He  was  idolized  by  the  soldiers — for  his  bravery, 
and  beloved  and  respected  by  the  officers,  for  the 
goodness  of  Ids  heart,  and  the  great  qualities  of 
his  mind. 

Contributing  greatly,  by  his  exertions,  to  the  es- 
tablishment ol  the  independence  of  America,  he 
might  have  remained,  and  shared  the  blessings  it 
dispensed,  under  the  protection  of  a  chief,  who 
loved  and  honored  him,  and  in  the  bosom  of  a 
grateful  and  affectionate  people.  Kosciusko  had, 
however,  other  views.  It  is  not  known,  that  un- 
til the  period  I  am  speakingof,  he  had  formed  any 
distinct  idea — of  what  could,  or  indeed  what  ought 
to  be  done — for  his  own  country.  But  in  the  Rev- 
olutionary war,  he  drank,  deeply,  of  the  princi- 
ples, which  produced  it.  In  his  conversations 
with  the  intelligent  men  of  our  country,  he  acqui- 
red new  views  of  the  science  of  government,  and 
of  the  rights  of  man.  He  had  seen,  too,  that,  to 
he  free,  it  was  only  necessary  that  a  nation  should 
will  it ;  and  to  be  happy,  it  was  only  necessary 
that  a  nation  should  be  free.  And  was  it  not  pos- 
sible— to  procure  these  blessings  for  Poland  !  for 
Poland,  the  country  of  his  birth,  which  had  a 
claim  to  all  his  efforts,  to  all  his  services  ? 

That  unhappy  nation — groaned  under  a  com- 
plication of  evils,  which  has  scarcely  a  parallel 
in  history.  The  mass  of  people — were  the  abject 
slaves  of  the  nobles  ;  the  nobles,  torn  into  factions, 
wore  alternately  the  instruments,  and  the  victims, 
of  their  powerful  and  ambitious  neighbors.  By 
intrigue,  corruption,  and  force,  some  of  its  fairest 
provinces  had  been  separated  from  the  republic, 
and  the  people,  like  beasts,  transferred  to  foreign 
despots,  who  were  again  watching  for  a  favora- 
ble moment — for  a  second  dismemberment.  To 
regenerate  a  people — thus  debased,  to  obtain  for  a 
country — thus  circumstanced,  the  blessings  of  lib- 


erty, and  independence,  was  a  work  of  as  much 
difficulty,  as  danger.  But,  to  a  mind  like  Kosci- 
usko's, the  difficulty,  and  danger  of  an  enterprise 
— served  as  stimulants  to  the  undertaking. 

The  annals  of  those  times — give  us  no  detail- 
ed account  of  the  progress  of  Kosciusko,  in  ac- 
complishing his  great  work,  from  the  period  of 
his  return  to  America,  to  the  adoption  of  the  new 
constitution  of  Poland,  in  1791.  This  interval, 
however,  of  apparent  inaction,  was  most  usefully 
employed  to  illumine  the  mental  darkness,  which 
enveloped  his  countrymen.  To  stimulate  the  ig- 
norant and  bigotted  peasantry  with  the  hope  of 
future  emancipation — to  teach  a  proud,  but  gal- 
lant nobility,  that  true  glory  is  only  to  be  found, 
in  the  paths  and  duties  of  patriotism ; — interests  the 
most  opposed,  prejudices — the  most  stubborn,  and 
habits — the  most  inveterate,  were  reconciled,  dis- 
sipated, and  broken,  by  the  ascendancy  of  his 
virtues  and  example.  The  storm,  which  he  had 
foreseen,  and  for  which  he  had  been  preparing, 
at  length  burst  upon  Poland.  A  feeble  and  un- 
popular government  —  bent  before  us  fury,  and 
submitted  itself  to  the  Russian  yoke  of  the  inva- 
der. But  the  nation  disdained  to  follow  its  exam- 
ple ;  in  their  extremity,  every  eye  was  turned  on 
the  hero,  who  had  already  fought  their  battles,  the 
sage,  who  had  enlightened  them,  and  the  patriot, 
who  had  set  the  example  of  personal  sacrifices — 
to  accomplish  the  emancipation  of  the  people. 

Kosciusko — was  unanimously  appointed  gener- 
alissimo of  Poland,  with  unlimited  powers,  until 
the  enemy  should  be  driven  from  the  country.  On 
his  virtue,  the  nation  reposed  with  the  utmost  con- 
fidence; and  it  is  some  consolation  to  reflect, 
amidst  the  general  depravity  of  mankind,  that 
two  instances,  in  the  same  age,  have  occurred, 
where  powers  of  this  kind  were  employed — sole- 
ly for  the  purposes  for  which  they  were  given.  It 
is  not  my  intention,  sir,  to  folloxo  the  Polish  chief 
— throughout  the  career  of  victory,  which,  for  a 
considerable  time,  crowned  his  efforts.  Guided 
by  his  talents,  and  led  by  his  valor,  his  undiscip- 
lined, ill-armed  militia — charged,  with  effect,  the 
veteran  Russian  and  Prussian;  the  mailed  cui- 
rassiers of  the  great  Frederic,  for  the  first  time, 
broke — and  fled,  before  the  lighter,  and  more  ap- 
propriate cavalry  of  Poland.  Hope  filled  the 
breasts  of  the  patriots.  After  a  long  night,  the 
dawn  of  an  apparently  glorious  day — broke  upon 
Poland.  But  to  the  discerning  eye  of  Kosciusko, 
the  light  which  it  shed — was  of  that  sickly,  and 
portentous  appearance,  indicating  a  storm  more 
dreadful  than  that,  which  he  had  resisted. 

He  prepared  to  meet  it  with  firmness,  but  with 
means  entirely  inadequate.  To  the  advantages 
of  numbers,  of  tactics,  of  discipline,  and  inex- 
haustible resources,  the  combined  despots  had  se- 
cured a  faction — in  the  heart  of  Poland.  And,  if 
that  country — can  boast  of  having  produced  its 
Washington,  it  is  disgraced  also,  by  giving  birth 
— to  a  second  Arnold.  The  day  at  length  came 
which  was  to  decide  the  fate  of  a  nation  and  a 
hero.  Heaven,  for  wise  purposes,  permitted  that 
it  should  be  the  last — of  Polish  liberty.  It  was 
decided,  indeed,  before  the  battle  commenced. 
The  traitor,  Poniski,  who  covered,  witii  a  detach- 
ment, the  advance  of  the  Polish  army,  abandoned 
his  position  to  the  enemy,  and  retreated. 

Kosciusko — was  astonished,  but  not  dismayed. 
The  disposition  of  his  army  would  have  done 
honor  to  Hannibal.  The  succeeding  conflict  was 
terrible.  When  the  talents  of  the  general — could 
no  longer  direct  the  mingled  mass  of  combatants, 
the  arm  of  the  warrior  was  brought  to  the  aid  of 
his  soldiers.  He  performed  prodigies  of  valor. 
The  fabled  prowess  of  Ajax,  in  defending  the 
Grecian  ships — was  realized  by  the  Polish  hero. 
Nor  was  he  badly  seconded  by  his  troops.  As 
long  as  his  voice  could  guide,  or  his  example  fire 
their  valor,  they  were  irresistible.  In  this  une- 
qual contest — Kosciusko — was  long  seen,  and  fi- 
nally— lost — to  their  view. 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


299 


"Hope— for  a  season,  bade  the  world — farewell, 
And  Freedom  shrieked  as  Kosciusko  fell." 

He  fell,  covered  with  wounds,  but  still  survived. 
A  Cossack  would  have  pierced  his  breast,  when 
an  officer  interposed.  "  Sutler  him  to  execute  his 
purpose,"  said  the  bleeding  hero  ;  "  I  am  the  de- 
voted soldier  of  my  country,  and  will  not  survive 
its  liberties."  The  name  of  Kosciusko — struck 
to  the  heart  of  the  Tartar,  like  that  of  Marius — 
upon  the  Cimbrian  warrior.  The  uplifted  weap- 
on— dropped — from  his  hand. 

Kosciusko — was  conveyed  to  the  dungeons  of 
Petersburgh;  and,  to  the  eternal  disgrace  of  the 
Empress  Catharine,  she  made  him  the  object  of 
her  vengeance,  when  he  could  no  longer  be  the  ob- 
ject of  her  fears.  Her  more  generous  son— re- 
stored him  to  liberty.  The  remainder  of  his  life- 
has  been  spent  in  virtuous  retirement.  Whilst  in 
this  situation,  in  France,  an  anecdote  is  related  of 
him,  which  strongly  illustrates  the  command, 
which  his  virtues  and  his  services  had  obtained — 
over  the  minds  of  his  countrymen. 

Tn  the  late  invasion  of  France,  some  Polish  re- 
giments, in  the  service  of  Russia,  passed  through 
the  village  in  which  he  lived.  Some  pillaging  of 
the  inhabitants  brought  Kosciusko  from  his  cot- 
tage. "When  /was  a  Polish  soldier,"  said  he, 
addressing  the  plunderers,  "  the  property  of  the 
peaceful  citizen  was  respected."  "And  who  art 
thou,"  said  an  officer,  "  who  addressest  us  with 
this  tone  of  authority?"  "I  am  Kosciusko." 
There  was  a  magic  in  the  word.  It  ran  from 
corps  to  corps,  from  heart  to  heart.  The  march 
was  suspended.  They  gathered  round  him,  and 
gazed — with  astonishment,  and  awe — upon  the 
mighty  ruin — he  presented.  "Could  it,  indeed, 
be  their  hero,"  whose  fame  was  identified  with 
that  of  their  country?  A  thousand  interesting  re- 
flections burst  upon  their  minds  ;  they  remember- 
ed his  patriotism,  his  devotion  to  liberty,  his  tri- 
umphs, and  his  glorious  fall.  Their  iron  hearts 
were  softened,  and  the  tear  of  sensibility  trickled 
down  their  weather-beaten  faces. 

We  can  easily  conceive,  sir,  what  would  be 
the  feeling  of  the  hero  himself  in  such  a  scene. 
His  great  heart  must  have  heaved  with  emotion 
to  find  himself  once  more  surrounded  by  the  com- 
panions of  his  glory ;  and  that  he  would  have 
been  upon  the  point  of  saying  to  them, 

"  Behold  your  general,  come  once  more 
To  lead  you  on  to  laurel'd  victory, 
To  fame,  to  freedom." 

The  delusion  could  have  lasted  but  for  a  mo- 
ment. He  was  himself,  alas !  a  miserable  crip- 
ple ;  and,  for  them !  they  were  no  longer  the  sol- 
diers of  liberty,  but  the  instruments  of  ambition 
and  tyranny.  Overwhelmed  with  grief  at  the  re- 
flection, he  would  retire  to  his  cottage,  to  mourn 
afresh  over  the  miseries  of  his  country. 

Such — was  the  man,  sir,  for  whose  memory  I 
ask  from  an  American  congress,  a  slight  tribute 
of  respect.  Not,  sir,  to  perpetuate  his  fame,  but 
our  gratitude.  His  fame — will  last  as  long  as  lib- 
erty— remains  upon  the  earth;  as  long  as  a  vota- 
ry— offers  incense  upon  her  altar,  the  name  of 
Kosciusko — will  be  invoked.  And  if,  by  the  com- 
mon consent  of  the  world,  a  temple  shall  be  erect- 
ed to  those,  who  have  rendered  most  service  to 
mankind — if  the  statue  of  our  great  countryman. 
Washington, — shall  occupy  the  place  of  the  "  Most 
Worthy,"  that  of  Kosciusco  will  be  found  by  his 
side,  and  the  wreath  of  laurel — will  be  entwined 
with  the  palm  of  virtue — to  adorn  his  brow. 

Oh  grief,  beyond  all  other  griefs,  when  fate 
First  leaves  the  young  heart — lone  and  desolate 
In  the  wide  world,  without  that  only  tie 
For  which  it  lov'd — to  live,  or  feared — to  die; 
Lorn  as  the  hung-up  lute,  that  ne'er  hath  spoken 
Since  the  sad  day — its  master — chord  was  broken. 


713.   TIIE   VILLAGE   BLACKSMITH. 

Under  a  spreading  chestnut  tree, 

The  village  smithy  stands  ; 
The  smith,  a  mighty  man  is  he, 

With  large  and  sinewy  hands; 
And  the  muscles  of  his  brawny  arms, 

Are  strong,  as  iron  bands. 
His  hair  is  crisp,  and  black,  and  long  ; 

His  face — is  like  the  tan ; 
His  brow — is  wet  with  honest  sweat ; 

He  earns — whate'er  he  can, 
And  looks  the  whole  world  in  the  face, 

For  he  owes  not  any  man. 
Week  out,  week  in,  from  morn  till  night, 

You  can  hear  his  bellows  blow ; 
You  hear  him  swing  his  heavy  sledge, 

With  measured  beat  and  slow, 
Like  a  sexton,  ringing  the  old  kirk  chimes, 

When  the  evening  sun  is  low. 
And  children,  coming  home  from  school, 

Look  in  at  the  open  door ; 
They  love  to  see  a  flaming  forge, 

And  hear  the  bellows  roar, 
And  catch  the  burning  sparks,  that  fly 
Like  chaff—from  a  threshing-floor 
He  goes,  on  Sunday,  to  the  church, 

And  sits  among  his  boys ; 
He  hears  the  parson — pray  and  preach, 

He  hears  his  daughter's  voice, 
Singing — in  the  village  choir, 

And  it  makes  his  heart  rejoice. 
It  sounds  to  him,  like  her  mother's  voice, 

Singing — in  Paradise  ! 
He  needs  must  think  of  her  once  more, 

How  in  the  grave  she  lies ; 
And  with  his  hard — rougli  hand  he  wipes 

A  tear  from  out  his  eyes. 
Toiling — rejoicing— sorrowing — 

Onward — through  life  he  goes : 
Each  morning — sees  some  task  begin, 

Each  evening — sees  it  close  ; 
Something  attempted — something  done, 

Has  earned  a  night's  repose. 
Thanks,  thanks  to  thee,  my  worthy  friend, 

For  the  lesson  thou  hast  taught! 
Thus — at  the  flaming  forge  of  Life, 
Our  fortunes  must  be  wrought ; 
Thus,  on  its  sounding  anvil  shaped, 
Each  burning  deed,  and  thought. 
There's  a  tear  that  falls  when  we  part 

From  a  friend  whose  loss  we  shall  mourn ; 
There's  a  tear  that  flows  from  the  half-brok'n  heart, 
When  we  think  he  may  never  return — oh,  never. 
'Tis  hard  to  be  parted  from  those 

With  whom  we  forever  could  dwell. 
But  bitter,  indeed,  is  the  sorrow  that  flows    [ever. 
When,  perhaps,  we  are  saying  farewell — for- 
There's  a  tear  that  brightens  the  eye 

Of  the  friend,  when  absence  is  o'er ! 
There's  a  tear  that  flows  not  for  sorrow,  but  joy, 
When  we  meet  to  be  parted  no  more — oh,  never ! 
Then  all  that  in  absence  we  dread 

Is  past,  and  forgotten  our  pain  ; 
For  sweet  is  the  tear  we  at  such  moments  shed, 
When  we  behold  the  lov'd  object  again— forever. 


300 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


713.     LAY   OF  THE  M  ABM  AN. 

"  Tills  Is  the  foul  fiend !  He  begins  at  curfew,  and  walks  till 
the  first  cock ;  he  gives  the  web  and  the  pin,  squints  the  eye,  and 
makes  the  hare-lip  ;  mildews  the  white  wheat,  and  hurts  the  poor 
creature  of  earth.    Beware  of  the  foul  fiend !" — Shatepcare. 

Many  a  year — hath  passed  away, 
Many  a  dark,  and  dismal  year, 
Since  last  I  roam'd — in  the  light  of  day, 
Or  mingled  my  own — with  another's  tear ; 
Wo  to  the  daughters— and  sons  of  men — 
Wo  to  them  all,  when  I  roam  again ! 

Here  have  I  watch'd,  in  this  dungeon  cell, 

Longer  than  Memory's  tongue  can  tell; 

Here  have  I  shriek'd,  in  my  wild  despair, 
When  the  damned  fiends,  from  their  prison  came, 

Sported  and  gambol'd,  and  mock'd  me  here, 
With  their  eyes  of  fire,  and  their  tongues  of  flame; 
Shouting  forever,  and  aye — my  name  ! 
And  I  strove  in  vain — to  burst  my  chain, 
And  longed  to  be  free,  as  the  winds,  again, 
That  I  might  spring — in  the  wizard  ring, 
And  scatter  them  back — to  their  hellish  den! 
Wo  to  the  daughters — and  sons  of  men — 
Wo  to  them  all,  when  I  roam  again! 

How  long — I  have  been  in  this  dungeon  here, 
Little  I  know,  and,  nothing  I  care ; 

What  to  me — is  the  day,  or  night, 
Summer's  heat,  or  autumn  sere, 

Spring-tide  flowers,  or  winter's  blight, 
Pleasure's  smile,  or  sorrow's  tear  ? 

Time '.  what  care  I  for  thy  flight, 
Joy !  I  spurn  thee — with  disdain ; 
Nothing  love  I — but  this  clanking  chain; 
Once — I  broke  from  its  iron  hold, 
Nothing  I  said,  but  silent,  and  bold, 
Like  the  shepherd,  that  watches  his  gentle  fold, 
Like  the  tiger,  that  crouches  in  mountain  lair, 
Hours  upon  hours,  so  watch'd  I  here; 
Till  one  of  the  fiends,  that  had  come  to  bring 
Herbs  from  the  valley — and  drink  from  the  sprinp 
Stalk'd  through  my  dungeon  entrance  in ! 
Ha  !  how  he  shriek'd — to  see  me  free — 
Ho  !  how  he  trembled,  and  knelt  to  me, 
He,  who  had  mock'd  me,  many  a  day, 
And  barred  me  out — from  its  cheerful  ray, 
Gods !  how  I  shouted  to  see  him  pray ! 
I  wreath'd  ray  hand — in  the  demon's  hair, 
And  chok'd  his  breath — in  its  mutter'd  prayer, 
And  danc'd  I  then,  in  wild  delight, 
To  see  the  trembling  wretch's — fright. 

Gods!  how  I  crush'd — his  hated  bones! 

'Gainst  the  jagged  wall,  and  the  dungeon-stones; 

And  plung'd  my  arm — adown  his  throat, 

And  dragg'd  to  life — his  beating  heart, 
And  held  it  up,  that  I  might  gloat, 

To  see  its  quivering  fibres  start! 
Ho!  how  I  drank — of  the  purple  flood, 
QuafT'd — and  quaff'd  again,  of  blood, 
Till  my  brain  grew  dark,  and  I  knew  no  more, 
Till  I  found  myself— on  this  dungeon  floor, 
Fetter'd,  and  held,  by  this  iron  chain; 

Ho!  when  I  break  its  links  again, 

Ha!  when  I  break  its  links  again, 
Wo  to  the  daughters  and  sons  of  men! 

My  frame  is  shrunk,  and  my  soul  is  sad, 

And  devils  mock,  and  call  me  mad  ; 

Many  a  dark — and  fearful  sight 

i  [aunts  me  here,  in  the  gloom  of  night; 

Mortal  smile,  or  human  tear 

Never  cheers,  or  soothes  me  here; 

The  spider  shrinks  from  my  grasp  away, 

Though  he  's  known  my  form — for  many  a  day; 

The  slimy  toad,  with  his  diamond  eye, 

Watches  afar,  but  comes  not  nigh; 

The-craven  rat,  with  her  filthy  brood, 

Pilfers  and  gnaws — my  scanty  food: 

But  when  I  strive  to  make  her  play, 

Snaps  at  my  hands,  and  flees  away; 
Light  of  day — or  ray  of  sun, 
Friend,  or  hope,  I  've  none— I  've  none ! 


Yet 'tis  not  always  thus;  sweet  slumber  steals 

Across  my  haggard  mind,  my  weary  sight; 
No  more  my  brain — the  iron  pressure  feels, 

Nor  damned  devils — howl  the  live-long  night , 
Visions  of  hope,  and  beauty — seem 
To  mingle — with  my  darker  dream; 
They  bear  me  back — to  a  long-lost  day, 
To  the  hours  and  joys  of  my  boyhood's  play, 
To  the  merry  green,  and  the  sportive  scene, 
And  the  valley,  the  verdant  hills  between  ; 
And  a  lovely  form,  with  a  bright  blue  eye, 
Flutters — my  dazzled  vision  by; 
A  tear  starts  up  to  my  wither'd  eye, 
Gods!  how  I  love  to  feel  that  tear — 

Trickle  my  haggard  visage  o'er! 
The  fountain  of  hope — is  not  yet  dry! 

I  feel,  as  I  felt  in  days  of  yore, 
When  I  roam'd  at  large,  in  my  native  glen, 
Honor'd  and  lov'd — by  the  sons  of  men, 
Till,  madden'd  to  find  my  home  defil'd, 
I  grasp'd  the  knife,  in  my  frenzy  wild, 
And  plunged  the  blade — in  my  sleeping  child! 

They  called  me  mad — they  left  me  here, 

To  my  burning  thoughts,  and  the  fiend's  despair, 

Never,  ah !  never  to  see  again 

Earth,  or  sky,  or  sea,  or  plain ; 

Never — to  hear  soft  Pity's  sigh — 

Never  to  gaze — on  mortal  eye ; 

Doom'd— through  life,  if  life  it  be, 

To  helpless,  hopeless  misery; 

Oh,  if  a  single  ray  of  light 

Had  pierced  the  gloom  of  this  endless  night; 

If  the  cheerful  tones  of  a  single  voice 

Had  made  the  depths  of  my  heart  rejoice ; 

If  a  single  thing  had  loved  me  here, 

I  ne'er  had  crouch'd  to  these  fiends'  despair  ! 

They  come  again !     They  tear  my  brain  ! 
They  tumble,  and  dart  through  my  every  vein  ! 
Ho !  could  I  burst  this  clanking  chain, 
Then  might  I  spring— in  the  hellish  ring, 
And  scatter  them  back  to  their  den  again  ! 
***** 

They  seize  my  heart! — they  choke  my  breath  ! 
Death ! — death  !  ah,  welcome  death !— R.  M.  C. 

It  is  a  very  poor,  though  common,  pre- 
tence to  merit,  to  make  it  appear  by  the 
faults  of  other  men :  a  mean  wit,  or  beauty, 
may  pass  in  a  room,  where  the  rest  of  the 
company  are  allowed  to  have  none:  it  is 
something  to  sparkle  among  diamonds ;  but 
to  shine  among  pebbles,  is  neither  credit  nor 
value  worth  the  pretending. 

BEST  CUKE  FOR  TROUBLE. 

Ben  Brisk — a  philosopher  was, 
In  the  genuine  sense  of  the  word; 

And  he  held,  that  repining,  whatever  the  cause, 
Was  unmanly,  and  weak,  and  absurd. 

When  Mat  Mope— was  assaulted  by  Trouble, 
Though  in  morals — as  pure  as  a  vestal, 

He  sigh'd,  and  exclaimed, "Life's  a  Bubble,'- 
Then  blew  it  away — with  a  pistol! 

Tom  Tipple,  when  trouble  intruded, 

And  his  fortune,  and  credit  were  sunk, 
By  a  too  common  error  deluded, 

Drown'd  Trouble,  and  made  himself  drunk 
But  Ben — had  a  way  of  his  own, 

When  grievances — made  him  uneasy  ; 
He  bade  the  blue  devils  begone, 

Braved  Trouble,  and  made  himself  busy. 
When  sorrow  embitters  our  days, 

And  poisons  each  source  of  enjoyment; 
The  surest  specific,  he  says, 

For  Trouble,  and  Grief  is — Employment, 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


301 


713.  Ixdustut  and  EtoauEXCE.  In  the 
ancient  republics  of  Greece  and  Rome,  ora- 
tory— was  a  necessary  branch  of  a  finished 
education.  A  much  smaller  proportion  of 
the  citizens  were  educated,  than  among  us ; 
but  of  these — a  much  larger  number  became 
orators.  No  man — could  hope  for  distinction, 
or  influence,  and  yet  slight  this  art.  The 
commanders  of  their  armies — were  orators, 
as  well  as  soldiers,  and  ruled — as  well  by 
their  rhetorical,  as  by  their  military  skill. 
There  was  no  trusting  with  them — as  with 
us,  to  a  natural  facility,  or  the  acquisition  of 
an  accidental  fluency — by  actual  practice. 

But  they  served  an  apprenticeship  to  the 
art.  They  passed  through  a  regular  course 
of  instruction  in  schools.  They  submitted  to 
long,  and  laborious  discipline.  They  ex- 
ercised themselves  frequently,  both  before 
equals,  and  in  the  presence  of  teachers,  who 
criticised,  reproved,  rebuked,  excited  emula- 
tion, and  left  nothing  undone,  which  art,  and 
perseverance  could  accomplish.  The  great- 
est orators  of  antiquity,  so  far  from  being 
favored  by  natural  tendencies,  except  indeed, 
in  their  high  intellectual  endowments,  had  to 
struggle  against  natural  obstacles;  and,  in- 
stead of  growing  up,  spontaneously,  to  their 
unrivalled  eminence,  they  forced  themselves 
forward  by  the  most  discouraging,  artificial 
process. 

Demosthenes — combatted  an  impediment 
in  speech,  an  ungainliness  of  gesture,  which 
at  first — drove  him  from  the  forum  in  dis- 
grace. Cicero — failed,  at  first,  through  weak- 
ness of  lungs,  and  an  excessive  vehemence  of 
manner,  which  wearied  the  hearers,  and  de- 
feated his  own  purpose.  These  delects  were 
conquered  by  study,  and  discipline.  He  ex- 
iled himself  from  home;  and  during  his  ab- 
sence, in  various  lands,  passed  not  a  day 
without  a  rhetorical  exercise,  seeking  the 
masters  who  were  most  severe  in  criticism, 
as  the  surest  means  of  leading  him  to  the  per- 
fection, at  which  he  aimed. 

Such,  too,  was  the  education  of  their  other 
great  men.  They  were  all,  according  to  their 
ability  and  station,  orators;  orators,  not  by 
nature  or  accident,  but  by  education,  formed 
in  a  strict  process  of  rhetorical  training;  ad- 
mired and  followed  —  even  while  Demosthe- 
nes and  Cicero  were  living,  and  unknown 
now,  only  because  it  is  not  possible  that  any, 
but  the  first,  should  survive  the  ordeal  of  ages. 

The  inference — to  be  drawn  from  these  ob- 
servations is,  that  if  so  many  of  those,  who 
received  an  accomplished  education,  became 
accomplished  orators,  because,  to  become  so 
was  one  purpose  of  their  study ;  then,  it  is  in 
the  power  of  a  much  larger  proportion  among 
us,  to  form  themselves  into  creditable  and  ac- 
curate speakers.  The  inference  should  not  be 
denied,  until  proved  false  by  experiment. 

Let  this  art  be  made  an  object  of  attention, 
and  young  men  train  themselves  to  it,  faith- 
fully, and  long;  and  if  any  of  competent  ta- 
lents and  tolerable  science  be  found,  at  last, 
incapable  of  expressing  themselves  in  con- 
tinued, and  connected  discourse,  so  as  to  an- 
swer the  ends  of  public  speaking,  then,  and 
not  till  then,  let  it  be  said,  that  a  peculiar 
talent,  or  natural  aptitude — is  requisite,  the 
want  of  which  —  must  render  effort  vain ; 
then,  and  not  till  then,  let  us  acquiesce  in 
this  indolent,  and  timorous  notion,  which 
contradicts  the  whole  testimony  of  antiquity, 
and  all  the  experience  of  the  world. —  Wirt. 

2C 


714:.      THE   FREEMAN. 

He  is  the  freeman,  whom  the  truth  makes  free, 

And  all  arc  slaves,  besides.    There 's  not  a  chain, 

That  hellish  foes,  confederate  for  his  harm, 

Can  u'ind  around  him,  but  he  casts  it  off, 

With  as  much  ease,  as  Samson,  his  green  withes. 

He  looks  abroad  into  the  varied  fie'd 

Of  nature,  and,  though  poor,  perhaps,  compared 

With  those,  whose  mansions  glitter  in  his  sight, 

Calls  the  delightful  scenery  all  his  own. 

His — are  the  mountains,  and  the  valleys  his, 

And  the  resplendent  rivers.    His  to  enjoy, 

With  a  propriety,  that  none  can  feel, 

But  who,  with  filial  confidence  inspired, 

Can  lift  to  heaven  an  unpresumptuous  eye, 

And  smiling  say — '-My  Father  made  them  all !" 

Are  they  not  his,  by  a  peculiar  right, 

And,  by  an  emphasis  of  interest,  his, 

Whose  eye — they  fill  with  tears  of  holy  joy, 

Whose  heart,  with  praise,  and  whose  exalted  mind, 

With  worthy  thoughts — of  that  unwearied  love, 

That  plann'd,  and  built,  and  still  upholds,  a  world, 

So  clothed  in  beauty — for  rebellious  man? 

Yes :  ye  may  fill  your  garners — ye  that  reap 

The  loaded  soil,  and  ye  may  waste  much  good, 

In  senseless  riot;  but  ye  will  not  find, 

In  feast,  or  in  the  chase,  in  song  or  dance, 

A  liberty  like  his,  who,  unimpeach'd 

Of  usurpation,  and  to  no  man's  wrong, 

Appropriates  nature,  as  his  Father's  work, 

And  has  a  richer  use  of  yours  than  you. 

He  is,  indeed,  a  freeman.     Free,  by  birth, 

Of  no  mean  city;  plann'd,  or  ere  the  hills 

Were  built,  the  fountains  open'd,  or  the  sea, 

With  all  his  roaring  multitude  of  waves. 

His  freedom — is  the  same  in  every  state; 

And  no  condition  of  this  changeful  life, 

So  manifold  in  cares,  whose  every  day 

Brings  its  own  evil  with  it,  makes  it  less: 

For  he  has  wings,  that  neither  sickness,  pain, 

Nor  penury,  can  cripple  or  confine. 

No  nook  so  narrow,  but  he  spreads  them  there, 

With  ease,  and  is  at  large.    The  oppressor  holds 

His  body  bound ;  but  knows  not  what  a  range 

His  spirit  takes,  unconscious  of  a  chain; 

And  that,  to  bind  him,  is  a  vain  attempt, 

Whom  God  delights  in,  and  in  whom  he  dwells. 

TO-DAY    AND   TO-MORROW. 

To-day  man  's  dress'd  in  gold  and  silver  bright. 
Wrapt  in  a  shroud  before  to-morrow-night: 
To-day  he  's  feeding  on  delicious  food, 
To-morrow  dead,  unable  to  do  good ! 
To-day  he  's  nice,  and  scorns  to  feed  on  crumbs, 
To-morrow  he's  himself  a  dish  for  worms; 
To-day  he  :s  honor'd,  and  in  vast  esteem, 
To-morrow  not  a  beggar  values  him ; 
To-day  his  house,  tho'  large,  he  thinks  but  small, 
To-morrow  no  command,  no  house  at  all ; 
To-day  has  forty  servants  at  his  gate, 
To-morrow  scorn'd,  not  one  of  them  will  wait! 
To-day  perfum"d,  as  sweet  as  any  rose, 
To-morrow  stinks  in  everybody's  nose  ; 
To-day  he  's  grand,  majestic,  all  delight, 
Ghastful  and  pale  before  to-morrow  night; 
True,  as  the  Scripture  says,  "  man's  life's  a  span  j" 
The  present  moment  is  the  life  of  man. 


302 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


71! 


CHARACTER   OF    BONAPARTE. 


He  is  fallen!  We  may  now  pause — before  that 
splendid  prodigy,  which  towered  amongst  us,  like 
some  ancient  ruin,  whose  frown — terrified  the 
glance  its  magnificence  attracted.  Grand,  gloomy 
and  peculiar,  he  sat  upon  the  throne  a  sceptred 
hermit,  wrapt — in  the  solitude  of  his  own  ori- 
ginality. A  mind,  bold,  independent,  and  decis- 
ive— a  will,  despotic  m  its  dictates — an  energy, 
that  distanced  expedition,  and  a  conscience — plia- 
ble to  every  touch  of  interest,  marked  the  outline 
of  this  extraordinary  character, — the  most  extra- 
ordinary, perhaps,  that  in  the  annals  of  this  world, 
ever  rose,  or  reigned,  or  fell.  Flung  into  life,  in 
the  midst  of  a  revolution,  that  quickened  every 
energy  of  a  people  who  acknowledge  no  superior, 
be  commenced  his  course,  a  stranger  by  birth, 
and  a  scholar  by  charity!  With  no  friend,  but 
his  sword,  and  no  fortune,  but  his  talents,  he 
rushed  in  the  list — where  rank,  and  wealth,  and 
genius — had  arrayed  themselves,  and  competi- 
tion— fled  from  him,  as  from  the  glance  of  desti- 
ny. He  knew  no  motive,  but  interest — he  ac- 
knowledged no  criterion,  but  success — he  wor- 
shiped no  God,  but  ambition,  and,  with  an  eastern 
devotion,  he  knelt — at  the  shrine  of  his  idolatry. 
Subsidiary  to  this,  there  was  no  creed,  that  he 
did  not  profess,  there  was  no  opinion,  that  he  did 
not  promulgate  ;  in  the  hope  of  a  dynasty,  he  up- 
held the  crescent;  for  the  sake  of  a  divorce,  he 
bowed  before  the  cross  :  the  orphan  of  St.  Louis, 
he  became  the  adopted  child  of  the  republic  :  and 
with  a  parricidal  ingratitude,  on  the  ruins — both 
of  the  throne,  and  tribune,  he  reared  the  throne 
of  his  despotism.  A  professed  catholic,  he  im- 
prisoned the  pope;  a  pretended  patriot,  he  impov- 
erished the  country ;  and  in  the  name  of  Brutus, 
he  grasped,  without  remorse,  and  wore,  without 
shame,  the  diadem  of  the  Cesars  !  Through  this 
pantomime  of  policy,  fortune  played  the  clown  to 
nis  caprices.  At  his  touch,  crowns  crumbled,  beg- 
gars reigned,  systems  vanished,  the  wildest  theo- 
ries took  the  color  of  his  whim,  and  all  that  was 
venerable,  and  all  that  was  novel,  changed  pla- 
ces with  the  rapidity  of  a  drama.  Even  appa- 
rent defeat — assumed  the  appearance  of  victory — 
his  flight  from  Egypt  confirmed  his  destiny — ruin 
itself — only  elevated  him  to  empire.  But  if  his 
fortune  was  great,  his  genius  was  transcendent; 
decision — flashed  upon  his  councils  ;  and  it  was 
the  same  to  decide — and  to  perform.  To  inferior 
intellects — his  combinations  appeared  perfectly 
impossible,  his  plans  perfectly  impracticable  ;  but, 
in  his  hands  simplicity — marked  their  develop- 
ment, and  success  —  vindicated  their  adoption. 
His  person — partook  of  the  character  of  his  mind; 
if  the  one — never  yielded  in  the  cabinet,  the  oth- 
er— never  bent  in  the  field.  Nature — had  no  ob- 
stacle, that  he  did  not  surmount,  space — no  op- 
position, that  he  did  not  spurn;  and  whether  amid 
Alpine  rocks,  Arabian  sands,  or  Polar  snows,  he 
seemed  proof  against  peril,  and  empowered  with 
ubiquity!  The  whole  continent — trembled — at 
beholding  the  audacity  of  his  designs,  and  the 
miracle  of  their  execution.  Scepticism — bowed 
to  the  prodigies  of  his  performance ;  romance — 
assumed  the  air  of  history;  nor  was  there  aught 
too  incredible  for  belief,  or  too  fanciful — for  ex- 
pectation, when  the  world — saw  a  subaltern  of 
Corsica — waving  his  imperial  flag — over  her  most 
ancient  capitals.  All  the  visions  of  antiquity — 
became  commonplaces  in  his  contemplation ; 
kings  were  his  people — nations  were  his  outposts; 
and  lie  disposed  of  courts,  and  crowns,  and 
camps,  and  churches,  and  cabinets,  as  if  they 
were  titular  dignitaries  of  the  chess-board ! 
Amid  all  these  changes,  he  stood — iummutable — 
as  adamant. 

It  mattered  little,  whether  in  the  field,  or  in  the 
drawing-room — with  the  mob,  or  the  levee  — 
wearing  the  jacobin  bonnet,  or  the  iron  crown — 
banishing  a  Braganza,  or  espousing  a  Hapsburg — 


dictating  peace  on  a  raft  to  the  czar  of  Russia.  <»; 
contemplating  defeat—at  the  gallows  of  Leipsig— 
he  was  still  the  same  military  despot ! 

In  this  wonderful  combination,  his  affectations 
of  literature  must  not  be  omitted.  The  jailer  — 
of  the  press,  he  affected  the  patronage  of  letters; 
the  proscriber  of  books,  he  encouraged  philoso- 
phy— the  persecutor  of  authors,  and  the  murderer 
of  printers,  he  yet  pretended  to  the  protection  of 
learning  !  the  assassin  of  Palm,  the  silencer  of 
De  Slael,  and  the  denouncer  of  Kotzebue.  he  was 
the  friend  of  David,  the  benefactor  of  De  Lille, 
and  sent  his  academic  prize  to  the  philosopher  of 
England.  Such  a  medley  of  contradictions,  and 
at  the  same  time  such  an  individual  consistency, 
were  never  united  in  the  same  character.  A 
royalist — a  republican,  and  an  emperor — a  Mo- 
hammedan— a  catholic  and  a  patron  of  the  syna- 
gogue— a  subaltern  and  a  sovereign — a  traitor 
and  a  tyrant — a  christian  and  an  infidel — he  was, 
through  all  his  vicissitudes,  the  same  stem,  im- 
patient, inflexible  original — the  same  mysterious, 
incomprehensible  self — the  man — without  a  mod- 
el, and  without  a  shadow. — Phillips. 

716.  The  Beauties  of  Nature.  Pause, 
for  a  while,  ye  travelers  on  the  earth,  to  con- 
template the  universe,  in  which  you  dwell, 
and  the  glory  of  him,  who  created  it.  What 
a  scene  of  wonders — is  here  presented  to 
your  view !  If  beheld  with  a  religious  eye, 
what  a  temple — for  the  worship  of  the  Al- 
mighty !  The  earth  is  spread  out  before  you, 
reposing  amidst  the  desolation  of  winter,  or 
clad  in  the  verdure  of  spring — smiling  in 
the  beauty  of  summer,  or  loaded  with  autum- 
nal fruit ; — opening  to  an  endless  variety  of 
beings — the  treasures  of  their  Maker's  good- 
ness, and  ministering  subsistence,  and  com- 
fort to  every  creature  that  lives.  The  heav- 
ens, also,  declare  the  glory  of  the  Lord.  The 
sun  cometh  forth  from  his  chambers — to  scat- 
ter the  shades  of  night — inviting  you  to  the 
renewal  of  your  labors — adorning  the  face 
of  nature — and,  as  he  advances  to  his  meri- 
dian brightness,  cherishing  every  herb,  and 
every  flower,  that  springeth  from  the  bosom 
of  the  earth.  Nor,  when  he  retires  again 
from  your  view,  doth  he  leave  the  Creator 
without  a  witness.  He  only  hides  his  own 
splendor,  for  a  while,  to  disclose  to  you  a 
more  glorious  scene — to  show  you  the  im- 
mensity of  space,  filled  with  worlds  unnum- 
bered, that  your  imaginations  may  wander, 
without  a  limit,  in  the  vast  creation  of  God. 
What  a  field  is  here  opened,  for  the  exer- 
cise of  every  pious  emotion !  and  how  irre- 
sistibly do  such  contemplations  as  these, 
awaken  the  sensibility  of  the  soul !  Here,  is 
infinite  power — to  impress  you  with  awe — 
here  is  infinite  wisdom — to  fill  you  with  ad- 
miration— here  is  infinite  goodness — to  call 
forth  your  gratitude,  and  love.    The  corres- 

j  pondence  between  these  great  objects,  and 
the  affections  of  the  human  heart,  is  estab- 

I  lished  by  nature  itself;  and  they  need  only  to 

j  be  placed  before  us,  that  every  religious  feel- 

',  ing  may  be  excited. — Moodie 

There  is  so  great  a  fever  in  goodness,  that 
the  dissolution  of  it  must  cure  it :  novelty  is 
only  in  request;  and  it  is  as  dangerous  to  be 
aged  in  any  kind  of  course,  as  it  is  virtuous 
to  be  constant  in  any  undertaking.  There 
is  scarce  truth  enough  alive  to  make  soci- 
eties secure;  but  security  enough  to  make 
fellowships  accursed;  much  upon  this  rid- 
dle runs  the  wisdom  of  the  world.  This 
news  is  old  enough,  yet  it  is  every  day's 
news. — Shakspeare. 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


303 


718.       THUNDER  STORM  ON  THE  ALPS. 

It  is  the  hush  of  night ;  and  all  between  [clear, 
Thy  margin,  and  the  mountains,  dusk,  yet 
Mellow'd,  and  mingling,  yet  distinctly  seen. 
Save  darkened  Jura,  whose  capped  heights  ap- 
Precipitously  steep ;  and  drawing  near,  [pear 
There  breathes — a  living  fragrance  from  the 
shore,  [ear, 

Of  flowers — yet  fresh  with  childhood ;  on  the 
Drops  the  light  drip  of  the  suspended  oar,  [more. 
Or  chirps  the  grasshopper — one  good-night  carol 

He  is  an  evening  reveller,  who  makes 
His  life — an  infancy,  and  sings  his  fill ! 
At  intervals,  some  bird — from  out  the  brakes — 
Starts  into  voice,  a  moment,  then,  is  still. 
There  seems  a  floating  whisper,  on  the  hill, 
But  that  is  fancy,  for  the  starlight  dews 
All  silently,  their  tears  of  love  instill, 
Weeping  themselves  away,  1(11  they  infuse, 

Deep  into  Nature's  breast,  the  spirit  of  her  hues. 
The  sky  is  changed !   and  such  a  change !  O 
night,  [strong! 

And  storm,  and  darkness,  ye  are  wondrous 
Yet  lovely  in  your  strength,  as  is  the  light 
Of  a  dark  eye  in  woman!  Far  along, 
From  peak  to  peak,  the  rattling  crags  among, 
Leaps  the  live  thunder!  not  from  one  lone  cloud: 
But  every  mountain — now  hath  found  a  tongue, 
And  Jura  answers  through  her  misty  shroud, 

Back  to  the  joyous  Alps,  who  call  to  her  aloud ! 
And  this  is  in  the  night :  Most  glorious  night ! 
Thou  wert  not  sent  for  slumber  !     Let  me  be 
A  sharer  in  thy  fierce,  and  far  delight, 
A  portion  of  the  tempest,  and  of  thee  ! 
How  the  lit  lake  shines !  a  phosphoric  sea  ! 
And  the  big  rain  comes  dancing  to  the  earth  ! 
And  now  again — 'tis  black,  and  now,  the  glee 
Of  the  loud  hills — shakes  with  its  mountain- 
mirth,  [birth. 

As  if  they  did  rejoice  o'er  a  young  earthquake's 
Now,  where  the  swift  Rhone — cleaves  his  way 
between  [parted 

Heights,  which  appear  as  lovers,  who  have 
In  hate,  whose  mining  depths — so  intervene, 
That  they  can  meet  no  more,  though  broken- 
hearted !  [thwarted, 
Though  in  their  souls,  which  thus  each  other 
Love  was  the  very  root — of  the  fond  rage, 
Which  blighted  their  life's  bloom,  and  then, 

departed! 
Itself  expired,  but  leaving  them  an  age  [wage  ! 

Of  years,  all  winters!  war — within  themselves  to 
Now,  where  the  quick  Rhone  thus  hath  cleft 
his  way,  [stand  : 

The  mightiest  of  the  storms  hath  taken  his 
For  here,  not  one,  but  many,  make  their  play, 
And  fling  their  thunderbolts  from  hand  to  hand, 
Flashing  and  cast  around  !  of  all  the  band, 
The  brightest  through  these  parted  hills  hath 
His  lightnings,  as  if  he  did  understand,  [forked 
That  in  such  gaps  as  desolation  worked, 

There  the  hot  shaft  should  blast  whatever  there- 
in lurked. — Byron. 

Earth  smiles  around,  with  boundless  bounty  blest, 
And  Heaven — beholds  its  image — in  his  breast. 


719.  Material  Affection.  Woman's 
charms  are  certainly  many  and  powerful. 
The  expanding  rose,  just  bursting  into  beau- 
ty, has  an  irresistible  bewitchingness ;  the 
blooming  bride,  led  triumphantly  to  the  hy- 
meneal altar,  awakens  admiration  and  inter- 
est, and  the  blush  of  her  cheek  fills  with  de- 
light ; — but  the  charm  of  maternity,  is  more 
sublime  than  all  these. 

Heaven  has  imprinted,  in  the  mother's  face, 
something  beyond  this  world,  something 
which  claims  kindred  with  the  skies, — the 
angelic  smile,  the  tender  look,  the  waking, 
watchful  eye,  which  keeps  its  fond  vigil  over 
her  slumbering  babe. 

These  are  objects,  which  neither  the  pencil 
nor  the  chisel,  can  touch,  which  poetry  fails 
to  exalt,  which  the  most  eloquent  tongue,  in 
vain,  would  eulogize,  and  on  which  all  de- 
scription becomes  ineffective.  In  the  heart  of 
man  lies  this  lovely  picture ;  it  lives  in  his 
sympathies ;  it  reigns  in  his  affections ;  his  eye 
looks  around  in  vain  for  such  another  object 
on  earth. 

Maternity,  extatic  sound!  so  twined  round 
our  hearts,  that  they  must  cease  to  throb,  ere 
we  forget  it !  'tis  our  first  love  ;  'tis  part  of 
our  religion.  Nature  has  set  the  mother  up- 
on such  a  pinnacle,  that  our  infant  eyes,  and 
arms,  are  first  uplifted  to  it;  we  cling  to  it 
in  manhood;  we  almost  worship  it  in  old  age. 
He,  who  can  enter  an  apartment,  and  behold 
the  tender  babe,  feeding  on  its  mother's  beau- 
ty— nourished  by  the  tide  of  life,  which  flows 
through  the  generous  veins,  without  a  pant- 
ing bosom  and  a  grateful  eye,  is  no  man,  but 
a  monster. 

7'iO.     TO   MARY   IN  HEAVEN. 

Thou  lingering  star,  with  less'ning  ray, 

That  lov'st  to  greet  the  early  morn, 
Again,  thou  usher'st  in  the  day, 

My  Mary,  from  my  soul  was  torn. 
O,  Mary !   dear  departed  shade  ! 

Where  is  thy  place  of  blissful  rest? 
Seest  thou  thy  lover,  lowly  laid? 

Hear'st  thou  the  groans,  that  rend  his  breast  * 
That  sacred  hour — can  I  forget, 

Can  I  forget  the  hallow'd  grove, 
Where,  by  the  winding  Ayr  we  met, 

To  live  one  day  of  parting  love  ! 
Eternity — will  not  efface 

Those  records  dear,  of  transports  past ; 
Thy  image,  at  our  last  embrace  ! 

Ah  !  little  thought  we,  'twas  our  last ! 
Ayr,  gurgling,  kissed  his  pebbled  shore, 

O'erhung  with  wild  woods'  thick'ning  green ; 
The  fragrant  birch,  and  hawthorn  hoar, 

Twin'd  amorous  round  the  raptur'd  scene. 
The  flowers  sprang— wanton  to  be  prest, 

The  birds  sang  love — on  every  spray, 
Till  too,  too  soon,  the  glowing  west 

Proclaim'd  the  speed  of  winged  day. 
Still  o'er  these  scenes  my  mem"ry  wakes, 

And  fondly  broods,  with  miser  care  ! 
Time,  but  the  impression  deeper  makes, 

As  streams — their  channels  deeper  wear. 
My  Mary  !  dear  departed  shade  ! 

Where  is  thy  place  of  blissful  rest? 
Seest  thou  thy  lover  lowly  laid  ? 

Hear'st  thou  the  groans  that  rend  his  breast  ? 
Ill-doers— are  ill-thinkers. 


304 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


721.      RICHARD. 

Now — is  the  winter — of  our  discontent — 
Made  glorious  summer-- by  this  sun  of  York  ; 
And  all  the  clouds,  that  lower'd  upon  our  house, 
In  the  deep  bosom— of  the  ocean— buried  : 
Now,  are  our  brows  —  bound  with  victorious 

wreaths  ; 
Our  bruised  arms— hung  up  for  monuments  : 
Our  stern  alarums— chang'd  to  merry  meetings, 
Our  dreadful  marches— to  delightful  measures  : 
Grim-visag'd  war— hath  smootlfd  his  wrinkled 

front ; 
And  now — instead  of  mounting  barbed  steeds, 
To  fright  the  souls— of  fearful  adversaries, 
He  capers  nimbly— in  a  lady's  chamber, 
To  the  lascivious  pleasing  of  a  lute. — 
But  /—that  am  not  shap'd— for  sportive  tricks, 
Nor  made,  to  court  an  amorous  looking-glass  ; 
I,  that  am  rudely  stamp'd,  and  want  love's  ma- 
To  strut  before  a  wanton,  ambling  nymph ;  [jesty, 
I,  that  am  curtail 'd — of  this  fair  proportion, 
Cheated  of  feature — by  dissembling  nature, 
Deform'd,  unfinish'd.  sent,  before  my  time, 
Into  this  breathing  world,  scarce  half  made  up, 
And  that— so  lamely,  and  unfashionably, 
That  doers  bark  at  me,  as  I  halt  by  them ; 
Why  I,  in  this  weak — piping  time  of  peace, 
Have  no  delight  to  pass  away  the  time; 
Unless  to  spy  my  shadow — in  the  sun, 
And  descant— on  mine  own  deformity  ; 
And  therefore,  since  I  cannot  prove  a  lover, 
To  entertain  these  fair — well  spoken  days, 
I  am  determined  to  prove — a  villain, 
And  hate  the  idle  pleasures  of  these  days. 
Plots  have  I  laid,  inductions  dangerous, 
By  drunken  prophecies,  libels,  and  dreams, 
To  set  my  brother  Clarence,  and  the  king, 
In  deadly  hate — the  one,  against  the  other : 
And  if  king  Edward — be  as  true  and  just, 
As  /am  subtle,  false,  and  treacherous, 
This  day — should  Clarence  closely  be  mew'd  up ; 
About  a  prophecy,  which  says  that  G  [George] 
Of  Edward's  heir — the  murderer  shall  be.  [comes. 
Dive,  thoughts,  down  to  my  soul ;  here  Clarence 

Td'i.      THE     REJECTED. 

Not  have  me  !    Not  love  me  !    Oh,  what  have  I 
Sure,  never  was  lover  so  strangely  misled,  [said  1 
Rejected  !  and  just  when  I  hoped  to  be  blessed  ! 
You  can't  be  in  earnest !     It  must  be  a  jest. 
Remember — remember  how  often  I've  knelt, 
Explicitly  telling  you  all  that  I  felt, 
And  talked  about  poison,  in  accents  so  wild, 
So  very  like  torture,  you  started — and  smiled. 
Not  have  me!     Not  love  me  !     Oh,  what  have  I 
All  natural  nourishment  did  I  not  shun  "?[  done? 
My  figure  is  wasted  ;  my  spirits  are  lost;  [ghost. 
And  my  eyes  are  deep  sunk,  like  the  eyes  of  a 
Remember,  remember — ay,  madam,  you  must — 
I  once  was  exceedingly  stout,  and  robust; 
I  rode  by  your  palfrey,  I  came  at  your  call, 
And  nightly,  went  with  yon,  to  banquet  and  ball. 
Not  have  me !  Not  love  me  !  Rejected  !  Refused ! 
Sure,  never  was  lover  so  strangely  ill-used! 
Consider  my  presents — I  don't  mean  to  boast — 
But,  madam,  consider  the  money  they  cost! 


Remember  you've  worn  them ;  and  just  can  itDe 
To  take  all  my  trinkets,  and  not  to  take  me  1 
Nay,  don't  throw  them  at  me  ! — You'll  break — 

do  not  start —  [heart  I 

I  don't  mean  my  gifts— but  you  will  break  my 
Not  have  me  !  Not  love  me !  Not  go  to  the  church ! 
Sure,  never  was  lover  so  left  in  the  lurch  ! 
My  brain  is  distracted,  my  feelings  are  hurt; 
Oh,  madam,  don't  tempt  me  to  call  you — a  flirt. 
Remember  my  letters;  my  passion  they  told  ; 
Yes,  all  sorts  of  letters,  save  letters  of  gold; 
The  amount  of  my  notes,  too — the  notes  that  I 

penned, — 
Not  bank  notes — no,  truly,  I  had  none  to  send! 
Not  have  me  !     Not  love   me  !     And  is  it,  then 
That  opulent  Age  is  the  lover  for  you  1  [true 

'Gainst  rivalry's  bloom  I  would  strive — 'tis  too 
To  yield  to  the  terrors  of  rivalry's  crutch,  [much 
Remember — remember  I  might  call  him  out ; 
But,  madam,  you  are  not  worth  fighting  about ; 
My  sword  shall  be  stainless,  in  blade,  and  in  hilt; 
I  thought  you  a.  jewel — I  find  you — a  jilt. 

7J3,      DESERTED    WIFE. 

He  comes  not — I  have  watched  the  moon  go  down, 
But  yet,  he  comes  not. — Once,  it  was  not  so. 
He  thinks  not,  how  these  bitter  tears  do  flow, 
The  while  he  holds  his  riot  in  that  town. 
Yet  he  will  come,  and  chide,  and  I  shall  weep; 
And  he  will  wake  my  infant  from  its  sleep, 
To  blend  its  feeble  wailing  with  my  tears. 

0  !  how  I  love  a  mother's  watch  to  keep,  [cheers 
Over  those  sleeping  eyes,  that  smile,  which 
My  heart,  though  sunk  in  sorrow,  fix'd,  and  deep. 

1  had  a  husband  once,  who  loved  me  ;— now, 
He  ever  wears  a  frown  upon  his  brow, 
And  feeds  his  passion — on  a  wanton's  lip, 
As  bees,  from  laurel  flowers,  a  poison  sip  ; 
But  yet,  I  cannot  hate — O  !  there  were  hours, 
When  I  could  hang,  forever,  on  his  eye, 
And  time,  who  stole,  with  silent  swiftness  by, 
Strew'd,  as  he  hurried  on,  his  path  with  flowers. 
I  loved  him  then — he  loved  me  too.     My  heart 
Still  finds  its  fondness  kindle,  if  he  smile  ; 

The  memory  of  our  loves— will  ne'er  depart; 
And  though  he  often  sting  me  with  a  dart, 
Venom'd,  and  barb'd,  and  waste  upon  the  vile 
Caresses,  which  his  babe  and  mine  should  share; 
Though  he  should  spurn  me,  I  will  calmly  bear 
His  madness, — and  should  sickness  come,  and 
Its  paralyzing  hand  upon  him,  then,  [lay 

I  would,  with  kindness,  all  my  wrongs  repay, 
Until  the  penitent  should  weep,  and  say, 
How  injured,  and  how  faithful  I  had  been  ! 

Discoveries.  From  time  to  time,  a 
chosen  hand,  sometimes  directed  by  chance, 
but  more  commonly  guided  by  reflection,  ex- 
periment and  research,  touches  a  spring,  till 
then  unperceived;  and  through  what  seemed 
a  blank  and  impenetrable  wall, — the  barrier 
to  all  further  progress, — a  door  is  thrown 
open  into  some  before  unexplored  hall  in  the 
sacred  temple  of  truth.  The  multitude  rush- 
es in,  and  wonders  that  the  portals  could 
have  remained  concealed  so  long.  When  a 
brilliant  discovery  or  invention  is  proclaimed, 
men  are  astonished  to  tliink  how  long  they 
had  lived  on  its  confines,  without  penetrating 
its  nature. 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


305 


733.  No  Excellence  without  Laboh. 
The  education,  moral,  and  intellectual,  of 
every  individual,  must  be,  chiefly,  his  own 
work.  Rely  upon  it,  that  the  ancients  were 
right — Qui.sqtie  suse  fortunes  fdber — both  in 
morals,  and  intellect,  we  give  their  final  shape 
to  our  own  characters,  and  thus  become,  em- 
phatically, the  architects  of  our  own  fortunes. 
How  else  could  it  happen,  that  young  men, 
who  have  had  precisely  the  same  opportuni- 
ties, should  be  continually  presenting  us, 
with  such  different  results,  and  rushing  to 
such  opposite  destinies  1  Difference  of  talent 
will  not  solve  it,  because  that  difference  very 
often  is  in  favor  of  the  disappointed  candidate. 
You  shall  see,  issuing  from  the  walls  of  the 
same  college — nay,  sometimes  from  the  bosom 
of  the  same  family — two  young  men,  of  whom 
the  one — shall  be  admitted  to  be  a  genius  of 
high  order,  the  other,  scarcely  above  the  point 
of  mediocrity;  yet  you  shall  see  the  genius 
sinking  and  perishing  in  poverty,  obscurity, 
and  wretchedness:  while,  on  the  other  hand, 
you  shall  observe  the  mediocre,  plodding  his 
slow,  but  sure  way — up  the  hill  of  life,  gain- 
ing steadfast  footing  at  every  step,  and  mount- 
ing, at  length,  to  eminence  and  distinction, 
an  ornament  to  his  family,  a  blessing  to  his 
country.  Now,  whose  work  is  this]  Mani- 
festly their  own.  They  are  the  architects  of 
their  respective  fortunes.  The  best  seminary 
of  learning,  that  can  open  its  portals  to  you, 
can  do  no  more  than  to  afford  you  the  oppor- 
tunity of  instruction:  but  it  must  depend,  at 
last,  on  yourselves,  whether  you  will  be  in- 
structed or  not,  or  to  what  point  you  will 
push  your  instruction.  And  of  this  be  as- 
sured— I  speak,  from  observation,  a  certain 
truth:  there  is  no  excellence  without  great 
labor.  It  is  the  fiat  of  fate,  from  which  no 
power  of  genius  can  absolve  you.  Genius, 
unexerted,  is  like  the  poor  moth  that  flutters 
around  a  candle,  till  it  scorches  itself  to  death. 
If  genius  be  desirable  at  all,  it  is  only  of  that 
great  and  magnanimous  kind,  which,  like  the 
condor  of  South  America,  pitches  from  the 
summit  of  Chimborazo,  above  the  clouds, 
and  sustains  itself,  at  pleasure,  in  that  em- 
pyreal region,  with  an  energy — rather  invig- 
orated, than  weakened,  by  the  effort.  It  is 
i!i  capacity  for  high  and  long-continued 
exertion — this  vigorous  power  of  profound 
and  searching  investigation — this  careering 
and  wide-spreading  comprehension  of  mind, 
and  those  long  reaches  of  thought,  that 

"  — Pluck  bright  honor  from  the  pale-faced  moon, 
Or  dive  into  the  bottom  of  the  deep, 
Where  fathom  line  could  never  toucli  the  ground, 
And  drag  up  drowned  honor  by  the  locks — " 

This  is  the  prowess,  and  these  the  hardy 
achievements,  which  are  to  enroll  your  names 
among  the  great  men  of  the  earth. — Wirt. 

733.      LIFE  IS  REAL. 

Tell  me  not — in  mournful  numbers, 

Life — is  but  an  empty  dream! 
For  the  soul  is  dead — that  slumbers, 

And  things  are  not — what  they  seem. 
Life  is  real !     Life  is  earnest ! 

And  the  grave — is  not  its  goal ; 
Dust  thou  art,  to  dust  returnest, 

Was  not  written — of  the  soul. 

Not  enjoyment,  and  not  sorrow, 
Is  our  destined  end,  and  way, 

39  2c2 


But  to  act,  that  each  to-morrow 

Find  us  farther — than  to-day. 

Art  is  long,  and  time  is  fleeting, 

And  our  hearts,  though  stout  and  brave, 
Still,  like  muffled  drums,  are  beating 

Funeral  marches — to  the  grave. 
In  the  world's  broad  field  of  battle, 

In  the  bivouac  of  life, 
Be  not  like  dumb,  driven  cattle ! 

Be  a  hero — in  the  strife ! 
Trust  not  future,  howe'er  pleasant! 
Let  the  dead  past — bury  its  dead  ' 
Act! — act  in  the  living  present! 

Heart — within,  and  God — o'er  head. 
Lives  of  great  men — all  remind  us 
We  can  make  our  lives  sublime, 
And,  departing,  leave  behind  us 

Footsteps — on  the  sands  of  time ; 
Footsteps,  that  perhaps  another, 
Sailing  o'er  life's  solemn  main, 
A  forlorn  and  shipwreck'd  brother, 

Seeing,  shall  take  heart  again. 
Let  us,  then,  be  up  and  doing, 

With  a  heart  for  any  fate; 
Still  achieving,  still  pursuing, 
Learn  to  labor,  and  to  wait. — Longfellow. 
734.  Dignity  of  Human  Nature.  In 
forming  our  notions  of  human  nature,  we  are 
very  apt  to  make  a  comparison  betwixt  men, 
and  animals,  which  are  the  only  creatures, 
endowed  with  thought,  that  fall  under  our 
senses.  Certainly,  this  comparison  is  very 
favorable  to  mankind !  On  the  one  hand,  we 
see  a  creature,  whose  thoughts — arc  not  lim- 
ited, by  the  narrow  bounds,  either  of  place, 
or  time,  who  carries  his  researches — into  the 
most  distant  regions  of  this  globe,  and  beyond 
this  globe,  to  the  planets,  and  heavenly  bo- 
dies; looks  backward — to  consider  the  first 
origin  of  the  human  race;  casts  his  eyes  for- 
ward— to  see  the  influence  of  his  actions  up- 
on posterity,  and  the  judgments  which  will 
be  formed  of  his  character — a  thousand  years 
hence :  a  creature,  who  traces  causes  and  ef- 
fects— to  great  lengths  and  intricacy ;  extracts 
general  principles  from  particular  appear- 
ances ;  improves  upon  his  discoveries,  cor- 
rects his  mistakes,  and  makes  his  very  errors 
profitable.  On  the  other  hand,  we  are  pre- 
sented with  a  creature — the  very  reverse  of 
this ;  limited  in  its  observations  and  reason 
ings — to  a  few  sensible  objects  which  sur- 
round it;  without  curiosity,  without  foresight, 
blindly  conducted  by  instinct,  and  arriving, 
in  a  very  short  time,  at  its  utmost  perfection, 
beyond  which — it  is  never  able  to  advance  a 
single  step.  What  a  difference  is  there  be- 
twixt these  creatures!  and  how  exalted  a 
notion  must  we  entertain  of  the  former  in 
comparison  of  the  latter. — Hume. 

SURE  REWARDS  FOR  VIRTUE. 

There  is  a  morning  to  the  tomb's  long  night, 

A  dawn  of  glory,  a  reward  in  heaven, 

He  shall  not  gain,  who  never  merited. 

If  thou  didst  know  the  worth  of  one  good  deed 

In  life's  last  hour,  thou  wouldst  not  bid  me  lose 

The  power  to  benefit.     If  I  but  save 

A  drowning  fly,  I  shall  not  live  in  vain. 

I  had  rather  see  some  women  praised  extraordi. 
narily,  than  to  see  any  of  them  suffer  by  detraction. 


306 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


725.  EMMETTS  VINDICATION — IN  FULL. 
My  Lords — What  have  I  to  say,  why  seutence  of  death  should 
not  be  be  pronounced  on  me,  according  to  law  ?  I  have  nothing 
to  say,  that  can  alter  your  predetermination,  nor  that  it  will  be- 
come me  to  say,  with  any  view  to  the  mitigation  of  that  sentence, 
which  you  are  here  to  pronounce,  and  I  must  abide  by.  But  I  have 
that  to  say,  which  interests  me  more  than  life,  and  which  you  have 
labored,  (as  was  necessarily  your  office  in  the  present  circumstan- 
ces of  this  oppressed  country,)  to  destroy.  I  have  much  to  say, 
why  my  reputation  should  be  rescued— from  the  load  of  false  ac- 
cusation and  calumny,  which  has  been  heaped  upon  it.  I  do  not 
imagine  that,  seated  where  you  are,  your  minds  can  be  so  free  from 
impurity,  as  to  receive  the  least  impression— from  what  I  am  going 
to  utter— I  have  no  hopes,  that  I  can  anchor  my  character — in  the 
breast  of  a  court,  constituted  and  trammeled  as  this  is — I  only  wish, 
and  it  is  the  utmost  I  expect,  that  your  lordships — may  suffer  it  to 
float  down  your  memories,  untainted  by  the  foul  breath  of  preju- 
dice, until  it  finds  some  more  hospitable  harbor — to  shelter  it  from 
the  storm,  by  which  it  is  at  present  buffeted.  Was  I  only  to  surfer 
death,  after  being  adjudged  guilty  by  your  tribunal— I  should  bow 
in  silence,  and  meet  the  fate  that  awaits  me,  without  a  murmur — 
but  the  sentence  of  the  law,  which  delivers  my  body  to  the  execu- 
tioner, will,  through  the  ministry  of  that  law,  labor,  in  its  own 
vindication,  to  consign  my  character  to  obloquy — for  there  must  be 
guilt  somewhere:  whether  in  the  sentence  of  the  court,  or  in  the 
catastrophy,  posterity  must  determine.  A  man,  in  my  situation, 
my  lords,  has  not  only  to  encounter  the  difficulties  of  fortune,  and 
the  force  of  power  over  minds,  which  it  has  corrupted,  or  subju- 
gated, but,  the  difficulties  of  established  prejudice.— The  man  dies, 
but  his  memory  lives  :  that  mine  may  not  perish,  that  it  may  live, 
in  the  respect  of  my  countrymen,  I  seize  upon  this  opportunity— to 
vindicate  myself  from  some  of  the  charges  alleged  against  me. 
Wl.en  my  spirit  shall  be  wafted  to  a  more  friendly  port ;  when  my 
shade  shall  have  joined  the  bands  of  those  martyred  heroes,  who 
have  shed  their  blood  on  the  scaffold,  and  in  the  field,  in  defence 
of  their  country,  and  of  virtue,  this  is  my  hope;  I  wish  that  my 
memory  and  name— may  animate  those,  who  survive  me,  while  I 
look  down,  with  complacency,  on  the  destruction  of  that  perfidi- 
ous government,  which  upholds  its  domination  by  blasphemy  of 
the  Most  High— which  displays  its  power  over  man,  as  over  the 
beasts  of  the  forest — which  sets  man  upon  his  brother,  and  lifts  his 
hand,  in  the  name  of  God,  against  the  throat  of  his  fellow,  who 
believes,  or  doubts,  a  little  more,  or  a  little  less,  than  the  govern- 
ment standard — a  government,  which  is  steeled  to  barbarity  by  the 
cries  of  the  orphans,  and  the  tears  of  the  widows  which  it  has 
made. 

[Here,  Lord  Norhury  interrupted  Mr.  Emmet,  saying,  that  the 
mean  and  wicked  enthusiasts  who  felt  as  he,  did,  were  not  equal 
to  the  accomplishment  of  their  wild  designs. 

1  appeal  to  the  immaculate  God— I  swear  by  the  throne 

of  Heaven,  before  which  I  must  shortly  appear— by  the  blood  of 
the  murdered  patriots,  who  have  gone  before  me— that  my  conduct 
has  been,  through  all  this  peril,  and  all  my  purposes,  governed  on- 
ly, by  the  convictions  which  I  have  uttered,  and  by  no  other  view, 
than  that  of  their  cure,  and  the  emancipation  of  my  country—  from 
the  superinhuman  oppression,  under  which  she  has  so  long,  and  too 
patiently  travailed  ;  and  that  I  confidently  and  assuredly  hope,  that, 
will  and  chimerical  as  it  may  appear,  there  is  still  union  and 
strength  in  Ireland  to  accomplish  this  noblest  enterprise.  Of  this, 
I  speak  with  the  confidence  of  intimate  knowledge,  and  with  the 
consolation  that  appertains  to  that  confidence.  Think  not,  my 
lord,  I  say  this  for  the  petty  gratification  of  giving  you  a  transitory 
uneasiness ;  a  man,  who  never  yet  raised  his  voice  to  assert  a  lie, 
will  not  hazard  his  character  with  posterity,  by  asserting  a  falsehood 
on  a  subject,  so  important  to  his  country,  and  on  an  occasion  like 
this.  Yes,  my  lords,  a  man  who  does  not  wish  to  have  his  epitaph 
written,  until  his  country  is  liberated,  will  not  leave  a  weapon  in 
the  power  of  envy ;  nor  a  pretence  to  impeach  the  probity,  which 
he  means  to  preserve,  even  in  the  grave— to  which  tyranny  con- 
signs  him. 

[Here,  he  was  again  interrupted,  by  the  court.'] 
Again,  I  say,  tint  what  I  have  spoken,  was  not  intended  for  your 
lordship,  whose  situation  I  commiserate — rather  than  envy — my 
expressions  were  for  my  countrymen :  if  there  is  a  true  Irish- 
man present,  let  my  last  words  cheer  him  in  the  hour  of  his  afflic- 
tion— 

[Here,  he  xvas  again  interrupted.  Lord  Norhury  said  he  did 
not  sit  there  to  hear  treason.4] 

I  have  always  understood  it  to  be  the  duty  of  a  judge,  when  a 
prisoner  has  been  convicted,  to  pronounce  the  sentence  of  the  law; 


I  have,  also,  understood  that  judges,  sometimea,  think  it  their  duty 
to  hear,  with  patience,  and  to  speak  with  humanity ;  to  ehxorl 
the  victim  of  the  laws,  and  to  offer,  with  tender  benignity,  his 
opinions  of  the  motives,  by  which  he  was  actuated  in  the  crime,  of 
which  he  had  been  adjudged  guilty ;  that  a  judge  has  thought  it 
his  duty  so  to  have  done,  I  have  no  doubt— but  where  is  the  boast- 
ed freedom  of  your  institutions,  where  is  the  vaunted  impartiality, 
clemency,  and  mildness  of  your  courts  of  justice  ?  if  an  unfortunate 
prisoner,  whom  your  policy,  and  not  pure  justice,  is  about  to  deliv- 
er into  the  hands  of  the  executioner,  is  not  suffered  to  explain  his 
motives,  sincerely  and  truly,  and  to  vindicate  the  principles,  by 
which  he  was  actuated. 

My  lords,  it  may  be  a  part  of  the  system  of  angry  justice,  to  bow 
a  man's  mind  by  humiliation— to  the  purposed  ignominy  of  the 
scaffold  j  but  worse  to  me  than  the  purposed  shame,  or  the  scaf- 
fold's terrors,  would  be  the  shame  of  such  foul  and  unfounded  im- 
putations— as  have  been  laid  against  me  in  this  court :  you,  my 
lord,  area  judge,  I  am  the  supposed  culprit;  I  am  a  man,  you  are 
a  man,  also;  by  a  revolution  of  power,  we  might  change  places, 
though  we  never  could  change  characters ;  if  I  stand  at  the  bar  of 
this  court,  and  dare  not  vindicate  my  character,  what  a  farce  is 
your  justice?  If  I  stand  at  this  bar  and  dare  not  vindicate  my 
character,  how  dare  you  calumniate  it?  Does  the  sentence  of 
death,  which  your  unhallowed  policy  inflicts  upon  my  body,  also 
condemn  my  tongue  to  silence,  and  my  reputation  to  reproach  ? 
Your  executioner  may  abridge  the  period  of  my  existence,  but 
while  I  exist,  I  shall  not  forbear  to  vindicate  my  character,  and 
motives— from  jour  aspersions ;  and,  as  a  man  to  whom  fame  Is 
dearer  than  life,  I  will  make  the  last  use  of  that  life,  in  doing  jus- 
tice to  that  reputation,  which  is  to  live  after  me,  and  which  is  the 
only  legacy  I  can  leave  to  those  I  honor  and  love,  and  for  whom  I 
am  proud  to  perish.  As  men,  my  lord,  we  must  appear  on  the 
great  day,  at  one  common  tribual,and  it  will  then  remain— for  the 
searcher  of  all  hearts— to  show  a  collective  universe,  who  was 
engaged  in  the  most  virtuous  actions,  or  actuated  by  the  purest  mo- 
tives— my  country's  oppressors  or — 

[Here,  fie  was  interrupted,  and  told  to  listen  to  the  sentence  of 
the  law.] 

My  lord,  will  a  dying  man  be  denied  the  legal  privilege  of  excul- 
pating himself,  in  the  eyes  of  the  community,  of  an  undeserved! 
reproach,  thrown  upon  him  during  his  trial,  by  charging  him  with 
ambition,  and  attempting  to  cast  away,  for  a  paltry  consideration 
the  liberties  of  his  country  ?  Why  did  your  lordship  insult  me?  or 
rather  why  insult  justice,  in  demanding  of  me,  why  sentence  of 
death  should  not  be  pronounced  ?  I  know,  my  lord,  that  form  pre- 
scribes that  you  should  ask  the  question  ;  the  form  also  presumes 

a  right  of  answering.    This,  no  doubt,  may  be  dispensed  with 

and  so  might  the  whole  ceremony  of  the  trial,  since  sentence  was 
pronounced  at  the  castle,  before  your  jury  was  empanelled ;  your 
lordships  are  but  the  priests  of  the  oracle,  and  I  submit ;  but  I  insist 
on  the  whole  of  the  forms. 

{Here  the  court  desired  him  to  proceed.] 
I  am  charged  with  being  an  emissary  of  France  !  An  emissary 
of  France !  And  for  what  end  ?  It  is  alleged  that  I  wished  to  sell 
the  independence  of  my  country  !  And  for  what  end  ?  Was  this 
the  object  of  my  ambition !  And  is  this  the  mode  by  which  a  tri- 
bunal of  justice  reconciles  contradictions  ?  No,  I  am  no  emissary; 
and  my  ambition  was — to  hold  a  place  among  the  deliverers  of  my 
country ;  not  in  power,  nor  in  profit,  but  in  the  glory  of  the  achieve- 
ment !  Sell  my  country's  independence  to  France  !  And  for  what  ? 
Was  it  for  a  change  of  masters  ?  No  !  But  for  ambition  !  0,  my 
country,  was  it  personal  ambition  that  could  influence  me!  Had  it 
been  the  soul  of  my  actions,  could  I  not,  by  my  education  and  fortune, 
by  the  rank  and  consideration  of  my  family,  have  placed  myself 
among  the  proudest  of  my  oppressors  ?  My  country  was  my  ido! ; 
to  it  I  sacrificed  every  selfish,  every  endearing  sentiment ;  and  for 
it,  I  now  offer  up  my  life.  0  God  !  No,  my  lord  ;  I  acted  as  an 
Irishman,  determined  on  delivering  my  country— from  the  yoke 
of  a  foreign,  and  unrelenting  tyranny,  and  from  the  more  galling 
yoke  of  a  domestic  faction,  which  is  its  joint  partner  and  perpe- 
trator, in  the  parricide,  for  the  ignominy  of  existing  with  an  exte- 
rior of  splendor,  and  of  conscious  depravity.  It  was  the  wish  of 
my  heart  to  extricate  my  couutry,  from  this  doubly  riveted  despot- 

I  wished  to  place  her  independence  beyond  the  reach  of  any  pow- 
er on  earth  ;  I  wished  to  exalt  you  to  that  proud  station  in  the  world. 

Connection  with  France  was  indeed  intended,  but  only  as  far  as 
mutual  interest  would  sanction,  or  require.  Were  they  to  assume 
any  authority,  inconsistent  with  the  purest  independence,  it  would 
be  the  signal  for  their  destruction ;  we  sought  aid,  and  we  sought  it 


HEADINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


307 


as  we  had  assurances  we  should  obtain  it ;  as  auxiliaries,  in  war— 
an  J  allies,  in  peace. 

Were  the  French  to  come  as  invaders,  or  enemies,  uninvited 
by  the  wishes  of  Ihe  people,  I  should  oppose  them  to  the  utmost  of 
my  strength.    Yes,  I  !  you  to  meet 

them  on  the  beach,  with  a  sword  in  one  hand,  and  a  torch  in  the 
other;   Ivrc  with  nil  the  destructive  fury  of  war; 

and  i  won]  |  m  a  to  immolate  them  in  their 

the  soil  mtry.  If  they 

succeeded  in  landing,  and  if  forced  to  retire  before  superior  disci- 
pline, [would  I  Ol  ground,  burn  every  blade  of 
grass,  and  the  last  intrenchment  of  liberty  should  be  my  grave. 
What  J  could  not  do  3  b  mid  Gill,  1  should  leave  as  a 
last  charge  to  at]  icCOmpUshj  because  I  should 
feci  conscious  that  lii"--,  any  more  than  death,  is  unprofitable,  when 
a  foreign  nation  holds  my  country  in  subjection. 

But  it  was  not  as  an  enemy — that  the  succors  of  France  were  to 
[and:  I  looked  indeed  for  the  assistance  of  France;  but  1  wished  to 
prove  to  France,  and  to  the  world,  that  Irishmen — deserve  to  be  as- 
sisted !  That  they  were  indignant  at  slavery,  and  ready  to  assert 
the  independence  and  liberty  of  their  country. 

I  wished  to  procure  for  my  country  the  guarantee,  which  Wash- 
ington procured  for  America.  To  procure  an  aid,  which,  by  its 
example,  *  ™W  be  as  important  as  its  valor;  disciplined,  gallant, 
pregnant  with  science  and  experience;  who  would  perceive  the 
good,  and  polish  the  rough  points  of  our  character;  they  would 
come  to  us  as  strangers,  and  leave  us  as  frieuds,  after  sharing  in  our 
perils,  and  elevating  our  destiny.  These  were  my  objects,  not  to 
receive  new  task-in  is'ers,  but  to  expel  old  tyrants;  these  were  my 
views,  and  these  only  became  Irishmen.  It  was  for  these  ends  I 
sought  aid  fp--m  France,  because  France,  even  as  an  enemy,  could 
nit  he  more  implacable  than  the  enemy  already  in  the  bosom  of  my 
country. 

[If,  .■:  he  was  interrupted  by  the  court.] 

1  have  been  charged — with  that  importance  in  the  efforts — to 
emancipate  my  country,  as  to  be  considered  the  Aey-stone  of  the 
combination  of  Irishmen,  or,  as  your  lordship  expressed  it,  "the 
life  and  blood  of  conspiracy."  You  do  me  honor  over-much :  You 
have  given  to  the  subaltern— all  the  credit  of  a  superior.  There 
are  men  engaged  in  this  conspiracy,  who  are  not  only  superior  to 
me,  but  even  to  your  own  conceptions  of  yourself,  my  lord ;  men, 
before  the  splendor  of  whose  genius  and  virtues,  I  should  bow  with 
respectful  deference,  and  who  would  think  themselves  dishonored 
to  be  called— your  friend — who  would  not  disgrace  themselves  by 
shaking  your  blood-stained  hand — 

[Here  he  was  interrupted.] 

What,  my  lord,  shall  you  tell  me,  on  the  passage  to  that  scaffold, 
which  that  tyranny,  of  which  you  are  only  the  intermediary  execu- 
tioner, has  erected  for  my  murder, — that  I  am  accountable  for  all 
the  blood  that  has,  and  will  be  shed,  in  this  strueicle  of  the  oppres- 
sed—against  the  oppressor  ?— shall  you  tell  me  this— and  must  I  be 
so  very  a  slave — as  not  to  repel  it? 

I  do  not  fear  to  approach  the  omnipotent  Judge,  to  answer  for 
the  conduct  of  my  whole  life ;  and  am  I  to'be  appalled  and  falsified 
by  a  mere  remnant  of  mortality  here  ?  by  you  too,  who,  if  it  were 
i  collect  all  the  innocent  blood  that  you  have  shed  in  your 
unhallowed  ministry,  in  one  great  reservoir,  your  lordship  might 
swim  in  it. 

[Here  the  judge  interfered*] 

Let  no  man  dare,  when  I  am  dead,  to  charge  me  with  dishonor ! 
let  no  man  attaint  my  memory,  by  believing  that  I  could  have  en- 
gaged in  any  cause  but  that  of  my  country's  liberty  and  indepen- 
dence ;  or,  that  I  could  have  become  the  pliant  minion  of  power, 
in  the  oppression,  or  the  miseries,  of  my  countrymen.  The  pro- 
■  I  government  speaks  for  our  views ;  no 
inference  can  be  tortured  from  it,  to  countenance  barbarity,  or  de- 
basement ;  retion,  humiliation,  or  treachery  from 
abroad  ;  I  woul  1  not  have  submitted  to  a  foreign  oppressor,  for  the 
same  reason  that  I  woul  1  resist  the  foreign  and  domestic  oppressor ; 
I  lorn,  I  would  have  fought  upon  the  threshold 
Of  my  country,  and  its  enemy  should  enter— only  by  passing  over 
my  lifeless  corpse.  Am  I,  who  lived  but  for  my  country,  and  who 
have  subjected  myself  to  the  dangers  of  the  jealous  and  watchful 
oppressor,  and  the  bondage  of  the  grave,  only  to  give  my  country- 
men their  rights,  and  my  country  her  independence,  and  am  I  to  be 
loaded  with  calumny,  and  not  suffered  to  resent  or  repel  it— No 
God  forbid ! 

If  the  spirits— of  the  illustrious  dead— participate  in  the  concerns, 
and  cares  of  those,  who  are  dear  to  them— in  this  transitory  life— O 
ever  dear— and  venerated  shade— of  my  departed  father,  look  down 
with  scrutiny,  upon  the  conduct  of  your  suffering  son ;  and  see  if  I 


have,  even  for  a  moment,  deviated  from  those  principles  of  mo 
ralityand  patriotism,  which  it  was  your  care  to  instil]  into  my 
youthful  mind ;  and  for  which  I  am  now  to  offer  up  my  life. 

My  lords,  you  are  impatient  for  the  sacrifice— the  blood,  which 
you  seek,  is  the  artificial  terrors  which  surround 

your  victim;  it  circulates  warmly  and  unruffled,  through  the  chan- 
nels, which  God  created  for  noble  purposes,  but  w  hich  you  are  beat 

to  destroy,  for  purposes  so  grievous,  that  they  cry  to  heaven. ■ 

He  yet  patient !  I  have  but  a  few  words  more  to  say.— I  am  going 
to  my  cold — and  silent  grave:  my  lamp  of  life— is  nearly  extin- 
guished; my  race  is  run:  the  grave  opens  to  receive  me,  and  [ 
sink  into  its  bosom !  I  have  but  one  request  to  ask  at  my  departure 
from  this  world,— it  is  the  charity  of  its  silence!— Let  no  man  wr,.e 
my  epitaph  :  for,  as  no  man,  who  knows  my  motives, 
vindicate  them,  let  not  prejudice  or  ignorance  asperse  them.  Let 
them,  and  me,  repose  in  obscurity,  and  peace,  and  my  tomb  remain 
uninscribed,  until  other  times,  and  other  mt7i,can  do  justice  to  my 
character:  when  my  country  takes  her  place  among  the  nations  of 
the  earth,  then— and  not  till  then— let  my  epitaph  be  written.— I 
have  done. 

726.    lucy. 
Three  years  she  grew,  in  sun,  and  shower, 
Then,  Nature  said,  "  a  lovelier  flower, 

On  earth,  was  never  sown ; 
This  child  I,  to  myself,  will  take; 
She  shall  be  mine,  and  I  will  make — 

A  lady  of  my  own. 
Myself  will,  to  my  darling,  be 
Both  law,  and  impulse :  and  with  me, 

The  girl,  on  rock  and  plain, 
In  earth,  and  heaven,  in  glade,  and  bower, 
Shall  feel  an  overseeing  power, 

To  kindle,  and  restrain. 
She  shall  be  sportive,  as  the  fawn. 
That,  wild  with  glee,  across  the  lawn, 

Or  up  the  mountain,  springs; 
And  hers,  shall  be  the  breathing  balm, 
And  hers,  the  silence,  and  the  calm — 

Of  mute,  insensate  things. 
The  floating  clouds — their  state  shall  lend 
To  her ;  for  her — the  willow  bend ; 

Nor,  shall  she  fail  to  see, 
Even  in  the  motions  of  the  storm, 
Grace,  that  shall  mould  the  maiden's  form, 

By  silent  sympathy. 
The  stars  of  midnight — shall  be  dear 
To  her ;  and  she  shall  lean  her  ear, 

In  many  a  secret  place, 
Where  rivulets  dance  their  wayward  round; 
And  beauty,  born  of  murmuring  sound, 

Shall  pass  into  her  face. 
And  vital  feelings  of  delight — 
Shall  rear  her  form — to  stately  height, 

Her  virgin  bosom  swell; 
Such  thoughts,  to  Lucy.  I  will  give, 
While  she,  and  I,  together  live, 

Here,  in  this  happy  dell." 

Thus  Nature  spake. The  work  was  done 

How  soon  my  Lucy's  race  was  run! 

She  died, — and  left  to  me 
This  heath,  this  calm,  and  quiet  scene ; 
The  memory — of  what  has  been, 

And  never  more — trill  be. —  Wordsworth. 
When  thou  doest  good,  do  it  because  it  is 
good;  not  because  men  esteem  it  so.  When 
thou  avoidest  evil,  flee  from  it  because  it  is 
evil ;  not  because  men  speak  against  it.  Be 
honest  for  the  love  of  honesty,  and  thou  shalt 
be  uniformly  so.  He  that  doeth  it  without 
principle — is  wavering. 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


727.  ClCBBo's  Oration  against  Ver- 
res.  I  ask  now,  Torres,  what  have  you  to 
advance  against  this  charge]  Will  you  pre- 
tend to  deny  it]  Will  you  pretend  that  any- 
thing false,  that  even  anything  aggravated — 
is  alleged  against  you  !  Had  any  prince,  or 
any  state,  committed  the  same  outrage  against 
the  privileges  of  Roman  citizens,  should  we 
not  think  we  had  sufficient  reason — for  de- 
claring immediate  icar  against  them  ]  What 
punishment,  then,  ought  to  be  inflicted  on  a 
tyrannical  and  wicked  praetor,  who  dared,  at 
no  greater  distance  than  Sicily,  within  sight 
of  the  Italian  coast,  to  put  to  the  infamous 
death  of  crucifixion,  that  unfortunate  and 
innocent  citizen,  Publius  Gavius  Cosanus, 
only  for  his  having  asserted  his  privilege  of 
citizenship,  and  declared  his  intention  of  ap- 
pealing to  the  justice  of  his  country,  against 
a  cruel  oppressor,  who  had  unjustly  confined 
him  in  prison,  at  Syracuse,  whence  he  had 
just  made  his  escape  ]  The  unhappy  man,  ar- 
rested as  he  was  going  to  embark  for  his  na- 
tive country,  is  brought  before  the  wicked 
praetor.  With  eyes  darting  fury,  and  a  coun- 
tenance distorted  with  cruelty,  he  orders  the 
helpless  victim  of  his  rage  to  be  stripped,  and 
rods  to  be  brought;  accusing  him,  l)ut  with- 
out the  least  shadow  of  evidence,  or  even  of 
suspicion,  of  having  come  to  Sicily  as  a  spy. 
It  was  in  vain,  that  the  unhappy  man  cried 
out,  "  I  am  a  Roman  citizen,  I  have  served 
under  Lucius  Pretius,  who  is  now  at  Panor- 
mus,  and  will  attest  my  innocence."  The 
bloodthirsty  prastor,  deaf  to  all  that  he  could 
urge  in  his  own  defence,  ordered  the  infa- 
mous punishment  to  be  inflicted.  Thus,  fath- 
ers, was  an  innocent  Roman  citizen  public- 
ly mangled,  with  scourging;  whilst  the  only 
words  he  uttered  amidst  his  cruel  sufferings 
were,  "  I  am  a  Roman  citizen  !"  With  these 
he  hoped  to  defend  himself  from  violence, 
and  infamy.    But  of  so  little  service  was  this 

Erivilege  to  him,  that  while  he  was  asserting 
is  citizenship,  the  order  was  given  for  his 
execution, — for  his  execution  upon  the  cross ! 
O  liberty  !  O  sound,  once  delightful  to  eve- 
ry Roman  ear !  0  sacred  privilege  of  Ro- 
man citizenship !  once — sacred,  now — tram- 
pled upon !  But  what  then !  is  it  come  to 
this]  Shall  an  inferior  magistrate,  a  gover- 
nor, who  holds  his  power  of  the  Roman  peo- 
ple, in  a  Roman  province,  within  sight  of  It- 
aly, bind,  scourge,  torture  with  fire  and  red- 
hot  plates  of  iron,  and  at  last  put  to  the  infa- 
mous death  of  the  cross,  a  Roman  citizen  ] 
Shall  neither  the  cries  of  innocence,  expiring 
in  agony,  nor  the  tears  of  pitying  spectators, 
nor  the  majesty  of  the  Roman  common- 
wealth, nor  the  justice  of  his  country,  re- 
strain the  licentious  and  wanton  cruelty  of 
a  monster,  who,  in  confidence  of  his  riches, 
strikes  at  the  root  of  liberty  and  sets  mankind 
at  defiance] 

VANITY. 

O,  vanity, 

How  are  thy  painted  beauties  doted  on, 
By  light  and  empty  idiots!  liow  pursued 
With  open  and  extended  appetite! 
How  they  do  sweat  and  run  themselves  from  breath, 
Raised  on  their  toes,  to  catch  thy  airy  forms, 
Still  turning  giddy,  till  they  reel  like  drunkards, 
That  buy  the  merry  madness  of  one  hour 
With  the  long  irksomeness  of  following  time. 
Time  flies,  and  never  dies. 


728.    Moloch's  oration  for  war. 
My  sentence — is  for  open  war  :  of  wiles, 
More  unexpert,  I  boast  not ;  them,  let  those 
Contrive,  who  need ;  or,  when  they  need ;  not  now; 
For  while  they  sit  contriving,  shall  the  rest, 
Millions,  that  stand  in  arms,  and  longing,  wait 
The  signal  to  ascend,  sit  lingering  here, 
Heaven's  fugitives,  and  for  their  dwelling-place, 
Accept  this  dark,  opprobrious  den  of  shame, 
The  prison  of  his  tyranny,  who  reigns 
By  our  delay !  No, — let  us  rather  choose, 
Armed  with  hell-flames,  and  fury,  all  at  once, 
O'er  heaven's  high  towers,  to  force  resistless  way, 
Turning  our  tortures,  into  horrid  arms — 
Against  the  torturer ;  when,  to  meet  the  noise 
Of  his  almighty  engine,  he  shall  hear 
Infernal  thunder;  and,  for  lightning,  see 
Black  fire  and  horror-shot,  with  equal  rage, 
Among  his  angels:  and  his  throne,  itself, 
Mixed  with  Tartarean  sulphur,  and  strange  fire, 
His  own  invented  torments. — But,  perhaps, 
The  way  seems  difficult,  and  steep  to  scale, 
With  upright  wing,  against  a  higher  foe. 
Let  such  bethink  them,  if  the  sleepy  drench, 
Of  that  forgetful  lake — benumb  not  still, 
That  in  our  proper  motion,  we  ascend 
Up  to  our  native  seat:  descent,  and  fall, 
To  us— is  adverse.    Who,  but  felt  of  late, 
When  the  fierce  foe — hung  on  our  broken  rear, 
Insulting,  and  pursued  us,  through  the  deep, 
With  what  compulsion,  and  laborious  fight, 
We  sunk  thus  low ! — The  ascent  is  easy  then : 
The  event  is  feared : — should  we  again  provoke 
Our  stronger,  some  worse  way  his  wrath  may  find, 
To  our  destruction ;  if  there  be,  in  hell, 
Fear  to  be  worse  destroyed. — What  can  be  worse, 
Than  to  dwell  here,  driven  out  from  bliss,condemn'd 
In  this  abhorred  deep — to  utter  wo  ; 
Where  pain  of  unextinguishable  fire 
Must  exercise  us,  without  hope  of  end, 
The  vassals  of  his  anger,  when  the  scourge 
Inexorable,  and  the  torturing  hour 
Call  us  to  penance  ? — More  destroyed  than  thus, 
We  should  be  quite  abolished,  and  expire. 
What  fear  we  then? — What  doubt  we  to  incense 
His  utmost  ire  !  which,  to  his  height,  enraged, 
Will  either  quite  consume  us,  or  reduce 
To  nothing  this  essential ;  happier  far, 
Than  miserable  to  have  eternal  being ; 
Or,  if  our  substance  be  indeed  divine, 
And  cannot  cease  to  be,  we  are,  at  worst, 
On  this  side  nothing  ;  and,  by  proof,  we  feel 
Our  power  sufficient, — to  disturb  his  heaven, 
And,  with  perpetual  inroad,  to  alarm, 
Though  inaccessible,  his  fatal  throne; 
Which,  if  not  victory,  is  yet  revenge. — Milton. 

THIS  WORLD. 

"  'Tis  a  sad  world,"  said  one,  "  a  world  of  woe, 
Where  sorrow — reigns  supreme."  Yet  from  my 
The  all-sustaining  hope  did  not  depart;         [heart 

But,  to  its  impulse  true,  I  answered — l:No  ! 
The  world  hath  much  of  good — nor  seldom,  joy 

Over  our  spirits — broods  with  radiant  wing  ; 

Gladness  from  grief,  and  life  from  death  may 
Treasures  are  owrsthe  gravecannot  destroy ;[spring; 
Then  chide  not  harshly — our  instructress  stern, 
Whose  solemn  lessons — wisdom  bids  us  learn  " 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


309 


729.  IvrLCEVCE  oftheWisf.  axji  Good. 
The  relations  between  man,  and  man.  cease 
not  with  life.    They  leave  behind  them  their 

memory,  their  example,  and  the  effects  of 
their  actions.  Their  influence  still  abides  with 
us.  Their  names,  and  characters  dwell  in 
our  thoughts,  and  hearts — we  live,  and  com- 
mune with  them,  in  their  writings.  We  en- 
joy the  benefit  of  their  labors — our  institu- 
tions have  been  founded  by  them — we  are 
surrounded  by  the  works  of  the  dead.  Our 
knowledge,  and  our  arts  are  the  fruit  of  their 
toil — our  minds  have  been  formed  by  their 
instructions  —  we  are  most  intimately  con- 
nected with  them,  by  a  thousand  depend- 
encies. 

Those,  whom  we  have  loved  in  life, are  still 
objects  of  our  deepest,  and  holiest  affections. 
Their  power  over  us  remains.  They  are  with 
us  in  our  solitary  walks;  and  their  voices 
speak  to  our  hearts  in  the  silence  of  midnight. 
Their  image  is  impressed  upon  our  dearest 
recollect  mi  is,  and  our  most  sacred  hopes. 
They  form  an  essential  part  of  our  treasure 
laid  up  in  heaven  For,  above  all,  we  arc 
separated  from  them,  but  for  a  little  time. 
We  are  soon  to  be  united  with  them.  If  we 
follow  in  the  path  of  those  we  have  loved,  we, 
too,  shall  soon  join  the  innumerable  company 
of  "the  spirits  of  just  men  made  perfect." 
Our  affections,  and  our  hopes,  are  not  buried 
in  the  dust,  to  which  we  commit  the  poor  re- 
mains of  mortality.  The  blessed  retain  their 
remembrance,  and  their  love  for  us  in  heaven ; 
and  we  will  cherish  our  remembrance,  and 
our  love  for  them,  while  on  earth. 

Creatures  of  imitation,  and  sympathy  as 
we  are,  we  look  around  us  for  support,  and 
countenance,  even  in  our  virtues.  We  recur 
for  them,  most  securely,  to  the  examples  of 
the  dead.  There  is  a  degree  of  insecurity, 
and  uncertainty  about  living  worth.  The 
stamp  lias  not  yet  been  put  upon  it,  which 
precludes  all  change,  and  seals  it  up  as  a  just 
object  of  admiration  for  future  times.  There 
is  no  greater  service,  which  a  man  of  com- 
manding intellect  can  render  his  fellow  crea- 
tures, than  that  of  leaving  behind  him  an  un- 
spotted example. 

If  he  do  not  confer  upon  them  this  benefit; 
if  he  leave  a  character,  dark  with  vices  in  the 
sisht  of  God.  but  dazzling  qualities  in  the 
view  of  men ;  it  may  be  that  all  his  other  ser- 
vices had  better  have  been  forborne,  and  he 
had  passed  inactive,  and  unnoticed  through 
life.  It  is  a  dictate  of  wisdom,  therefore,  as 
well  as  feeling,  when  a  man,  eminent  for  his 
virtues  and  talents,  has  been  taken  away,  to 
collect  the  riches  of  his  goodness,  and  add 
them  to  the  treasury  of  human  improvement. 
The  true  christian — liveth  not  for  himself; 
and  it  is  thus,  in  one  respect,  that  he  dieth 
not  for  himself. — Norton. 

730.      HUMAN  LIFE. 

I  walk'd  the  fields — at  morning's  prime, 
The  grass — was  ripe  for  mowing: 

The  sky-lark — Bung  his  matin  chime, 
And  all — was  brightly  glowing. 

"  And  thus ."  I  cried,  the  "  ardent  boy, 

His  pulse,  with  rapture  beating, 
Deems  life's  inheritance — his  joy — 

The  future— proudly  greeting." 

I  wandered  forth  at  noon : — alas ! 
On  earth's  materal  bosom 


The  scythe — had  left  the  withering  gTass, 
And  stretch'd  tin;  failing  blossom. 

And  thus,  I  thought  with  many  a  sigh, 
The  hopes — we  fondly  cherish, 

Like  flowers,  which  blossom,  but  to  die, 
Seem  only  born — to  perish. 

Once  more,  at  eve,  abroad  I  stray'd, 
Through  lonely  hay-fields  musing; 

While  every  breeze,  that  round  me  play'd, 
Rich  fragrance — was  diffusing. 

The  perfumed  air,  the  hush  of  eve, 
To  purer  hopes  appearing, 

O'er  thoughts  perchance  too  prone  to  grieve, 
Scatter'd  the  balm  of  healing. 

For  thus  ';  the  actions  of  the  just," 
When  Memory  hath  enshrined  them, 

E'en  from  the  dark  and  silent  dust 

Their  odor  leaves  behind  them. — Barton. 

731.  Prr.Lic  Faith.  To  expatiate  on  the 
value  of  public  faith — may  pass — with  some 
men,  for  declamation — to  such  men,  I  have 
nothing  to  say.  To  others,  I  will  urge — can 
any  circumstance  mark  upon  a  people,  more 
turpitude  and  debasement?  Can  anything 
tend  more  to  make  men  think  themselves 
mean,  or  degrade,  to  a  lower  point,  their  esti- 
mation of  virtue,  and  their  standard  of  action  1 

It  would  not  merely  demoralize  mankind, 
it  tends  to  break  all  the  ligaments  of  society, 
to  dissolve  that  mysterious  charm  which  at- 
tracts individuals  to  the  nation,  and  to  inspire, 
in  its  stead,  a  repulsive  sense  of  shame  and 
disgust. 

What  is  patriotism!  Is  it  a  narrow  affec- 
tion for  the  spot,  where  a  man  was  born  1 
Are  the  very  clods,  where  we  tread,  entitled 
to  this  ardent  preference,  because  they  are 
greener  1  No,  sir,  this  is  not  the  character  of 
the  virtue,  and  it  soars  higher  for  its  object. 
It  is  an  extended  self-love,  mingling  with  all 
the  enjoyments  of  life,  and  twisting  itself  with 
the  minutest  filaments  of  the  heart. 

It  is  thus — we  obey  the  laws  of  societ y,  be- 
cause they  are  the  laws  of  virtue.  In  their 
authority  we  see,  not  the  array  of  force  and 
terror,  but  the  venerable  image  of  our  coun- 
try's honor.  Every  good  citizen  makes  that 
honor  his  own,  and  cherishes  it,  not  only  as 
precious,  but  as  sacred.  He  is  willing  to  risk 
his  life  in  its  defence,  and  is  conscious,  that 
he  gains  protection  while  he  gives  it.  For, 
what  rights  of  a  citizen  will  be  deemed  in- 
violable, when  a  state  renounces  the  princi- 
ples, that  constitute  their  security  1 

Or,  if  this  life  should  not  be  invaded,  what 
would  its  enjoyments  be  in  a  country,  odious 
in  the  eyes  of  strangers,  and  dishonored  in 
his  own  !  Could  he  look — with  affection  and 
veneration,  to  such  a  country  as  his  parent  1 
The  sense  of  having  one — would  die  within 
him;  he  would  blush  for  his  patriotism,  if  he 
retained  any,  and  justly,  for  it  would  be  a  vice. 
He  would  be  a  banished  man — in  his  native 
land. — Fisher  Ames. 

If  thou  well  observe 
The  rule  of  not  too  much,  by  temperance  taught, 
In  what  thou  eat'st  and  drink'st.seeking  from  thence 
Due  nourishment,  not  gluttonous  delight, 
Till  many  years  over  thy  head  return: 
So  mayst  thou  live,  till,  like  ripe  fruit,  thou  drop 
Into  thy  mother's  lap,  to  be  with  ease 
Gather'd,  not  harshly  pluck'd,  in  death  mature. 


310 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


T33.  Political  Cohihtptiox.    We  are 

apt  to  treat  the  idea  of  our  own  corruptibili- 
ty, as  utterly  visionary,  and  to  ask,  with  a 
grave  affectation  of  dignity — what !  do  you 
think  a  member  of  congress  can  be  corrup- 
ted ?  Sir,  I  speak,  what  I  have  long  and  de- 
liberately considered,  when  I  say,  that  since 
man  was  created,  there  never  has  been  a  po- 
litical body  on  the  face  of  the  earth,  that 
would  not  be  corrupted  under  the  same  cir- 
cumstances. Corruption  steals  upon  us,  in  a 
thousand  insidious  forms,  when  we  are  least 
aware  of  its  approaches. 

Of  all  the  forms,  in  which  it  can  present  it- 
self, the  bribery  of  office — is  the  most  dan- 
gerous, because  it  assumes  the  guise  of  patri- 
otism— to  accomplish  its  fatal  sorcery.  We 
are  often  asked,  where  is  the  evidence  of  cor- 
ruption'.' Have  you  seen  it  7  Sir,  do  you 
expect  to  see  it'.'  You  might, as  well,  expect 
to  see  the  embodied  forms  of  pestilence,  and 
famine — stalking  before  you,  as  to  see  the  la- 
tent operations  of  this  insidious  power.  We 
may  walk  amidst  it,  and  breathe  its  contagion, 
without  being  conscious  of  its  presence. 

All  experience  teaches  us — the  irresistible 
power  of  temptation,  when  vice — assumes  the 
form  of  virtue.  The  great  enemy  of  man- 
kind— could  not  have  consummated  his  in- 
fernal scheme,  for  the  seduction  of  our  first 
parents,  but  for  the  disguise,  in  which  he 
presented  himself.  Had  he  appeared  as  the 
devil,  in  his  proper  form :  had  the  spear  of 
Ithuriel — disclosed  the  naked  deformity  of 
the  fiend  of  hell,  the  inhabitants  of  paradise 
would  have  shrunk  with  horror  from  his 
presence. 

But  he  came — as  the  insinuating  serpent, 
and  presented  a  beautiful  apple,  the  most  de- 
licious fruit  in  all  the  garden.  He  told  his 
glowing  story  to  the  unsuspecting  victim  of 
his  guile.  "  It  can  be  no  crime — to  taste  of 
this  delightful  fruit.  It  will  disclose  to  you 
the  knowledge  of  good,  and  evil.  It  will 
raise 50U  to  an  equality  with  the  angels." 

Such,  sir,  was  the  process;  and,  in  this 
simple,  but  impressive  narrative,  we  have  the 
most  beautiful  and  philosophical  illustration 
of  the  frailty  of  man,  and  the  power  of  temp- 
tation, that  could  possibly  be  exhibited.  Mr. 
Chairman,  I  have  been  forcibly  struck,  with 
the  similarity,  between  our  present  situation, 
and  that  of  Eve,  after  it  was  announced,  that 
Satan  was  on  the  borders  of  paradise.  We, 
too,  have  been  warned,  that  the  enemy  is  on 
our  borders. 

But  God  forbid  that  the  similitude  should  be 
carried  any  farther.  Eve,  conscious  of  her 
innocence,  sought  temptation  and  defied  it. 
The  catastrophe  is  too  fatally  known  to  us 
all.  She  went,  "with  the  blessings  of  heaven 
on  her  head,  and  its  purity  in  her  heart," 
guarded  by  the  ministry  of  angels — she  re- 
turned covered  with  shame,  under  the  heavy 
denunciation  of  heaven's  everlasting  curse. 

Sir,  it  is  innocence — that  temptation  con- 
quers. If  our  first  parent,  pure  as  she  came 
from  the  hand  of  God,  was  overcome  by  the 
seductive  power,  let  us  not  imitate  her  fatal 
rashness,  seeking  temptation,  when  it  is  in 
our  power  to  avoid  it.  Let  us  not  vainly 
confide  in  our  own  infallibility.  We  arc  lia- 
ble to  be  corrupted.  To  an  ambitious  man, 
an  honorable  office  will  appear  as  beautiful 
and  fascinating — as  the  apple  of  paradise. 

I  admit,  sir,  that  ambition  is  a  passion,  at 
once  the  most  powerful  and  the  most  useful. 


Without  it,  human  affairs  would  become  a 
mere  stagnant  pool.  By  means  of  his  pat- 
ronage, the  president  addresses  himself  in 
the  most  irresistible  manner,  to  this  the  no- 
blest and  strongest  of  our  passions.  All  that 
the  imagination  can  desire — honor,  power, 
wealth,  ease,  are  held  out  as  the  temptation, 
Man  was  not  made  to  resist  such  temptation. 
It  is  impossible  to  conceive, — Satan  himself 
could  not  devise,  a  system,  which  would  more 
infallibly  introduce  corruption  and  death  into 
our  political  Eden.  Sir,  the  angels  fell  from 
heaven  with  less  temptation. — McDuffie. 

733.   CATO'S  SOLILOQUY    OX  IMMORTALITY. 

It  must  be  so — Plato,  thou  reasonest  well  J 
Else,  whence  this  pleasing  hope,  this  fond  desire, 
This  longing — after  immortality  ? 
Or,  whence — this  secret  dread,  and  inward  horror, 
Of  falling— into  nought?  Why— shrinks  the  soul — 
Back  on  herself,  and  startles — at  destruction? — 
'Tis  the  Divinity — that  stirs  within  us : 
'Tis  Heaven  itself,  that  points  out — a  hereafter, 
And  intimates — Eternity — to  man. 
Eternity  ! — thou  pleasing — dreaful  thought ! 
Through  what  variety — of  untried  being,    [pass ! 
Through  what  new  scenes,  and  changes,  must  we 
The  wide,  the  unbounded  prospect  lies  before  me  ; 
But  shadows,  clouds,  and  darkness,  rest  upon  it. — 
Here — will  I  hold.    If  there's  a  Power  above  us, 
(And  that  there  is,  all  Nature  cries  aloud — 
Through  all  her  works,)  He  must  delight  in  virtue: 
And  that,  which  He  delights  in  must  be  happy. 
But  when?  or  where?    This  world — was  made 

for  Cesar? 
I  'm  weary  of  conjectures — this — must  end  them. — 

[  Laying  his  hand  on  his  sword. 
Thus — I  am  doubly  armed.    My  death — and  life, 
My  bane — and  antidote,  are  both  before  me. 
This — in  a  moment,  brings  me  to  an  end ; 
But  this — informs  me — I  shall  never  die. 
The  soul,  secured  in  her  existence,  smiles — 
At  the  drawn  dagger,  and  defies  its  point. — 
The  stars — shall  fade  away,  the  sun  himself 
Grow  dim  with  age,  and  nature  sink  in  years; 
But  thou  shah  flourish — in  immortal  youth, 
Unhurt — amidst  the  war  of  elements, 
The  wreck  of  matter,  and  the  crush  of  worlds. 

Idleness —  is  the  badge  of  gentry,  the 
bane  of  body  and  mind,  the  nurse  of  naugh- 
tiness, the  step-mother  of  discipline,  the  chief 
author  of  all  mischief,  one  of  the  seven  dead- 
ly sins,  the  cushion  upon  which  the  devil 
chiefly  reposes,  and  a  great  cause  not  only  of 
melancholy,  but  of  many  other  diseases:  for 
the  mind  is  naturally  active;  and  if  it  be  not 
occupied  about  some  honest  business,  it  rush- 
es into  mischief,  or  sinlcs  into  melancholy. 

GRAVE   OF   THE   RENOWNED. 

When,  to  the  grave,  we  follow  the  renowned 
For  valor,  virtue,  science,  all  we  love,       [beam 
And   all  we  praise  ;  for  worth,  whose  noontide 
Mends  our  ideas  of  ethereal  pow'rs. 
Dream  we,  that  lustre  of  the  moral  world 
Goes  out  in  stench,  and  rottenness  the  close? 
Why  was  he  wise  to  know,  and  warm  to  praise, 
And  strenuous  to  transcribe,  in  human  life, 
The  mind  almighty!  could  it  be  that  fate, 
Just  when  the  lineaments  began  to  shine, 
Should  snatch  the  draught,  and  blot  it  out  forever. 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


311 


734.  Duties  of  American  Citizens. 
Felloiv-cil  izens-.let  ns  not  retire  from  this  oc- 
casion, without  a  deep  and  solemn  conviction 
of  tlie  duties,  which  have  devolved  upon  us. 
This  lovely  land,  this  glorious  liberty,  these 
benign  institutions,  the  dear  purchase  of  our 
fathers,  are  ours;  ours  to  enjoy,  ours  to  pre- 
serve, ours  to  transmit.  Generations  past, 
and  generations  to  conn-,  hold  vis  responsible 
for  fids  sacred  tnis!.  Our  fathers,  from  he- 
hind — admonish  us  with  their  anxious,  pater- 
nal voices;  postery — calls  out  to  us  from  the 
bosom  of  the  future;  (he  world  turns  hither 
its  solicitous  eyes ;  all,  all  conjure  us  to  act 
wisely,  and  faithfully,  in  the  relation  which 
we  sustain.  We  can  never,  indeed,  pay  the 
debl  which  is  upon  us;  but,  bj  virtue,  by  mo- 
rality, by  religion,  by  the  cultivation  of  every 
good  principle,  and  every  good  habit,  we  may 
hope  to  enjoy  the  blessing,  through  our  day, 
and  leave  it,  unimpaired,  to  our  children. 

Let  ns  feel  deeply,  how  much  of  what  we 
are,  and  what  we  possess,  we  owe  to  this  lib- 
erty, ami  to  these  institutions  of  government. 
Nature  has,  indeed,  given  us  a  soil,  which 
yields  bounteously — to  the  hands  of  industry; 
the  mighty  and  fruitful  ocean  is  before  us, 
and  the  s'ues,  over  our  heads,  shed  health  and 
vigor.  But  what  are  lands,  and  seas,  and 
skies — to  civilized  man,  without  society,  with- 
out knowledge,  without  morals,  without  reli- 
gious culture ;  and  how  can  these  be  enjoyed, 
in  all  their  extent,  and  all  their  excellence, 
but  under  the  protection  of  wise  institutions, 
and  a  free  government !  Fellow-citizens, 
there  is  not  one  of  us  here  present,  who  does 
not,  at  this  moment,  and  at  every  moment, 
experience,  in  his  own  condition,  and  in  the 
condition  of  those  most  near  and  dear  to  him, 
the  influence,  and  the  benefits — of  this  lib- 
erty, and  these  institutions.  Let  us  then, 
acknowledge  the  blessing;  let  us  feel  it  deep- 
ly, and  powerfully;  let  us  cherish  a  strong 
affection  for  it,  and  resolve  to  maintain,  and 
perpetuate  it.  The  blood  of  our  fathers,  let  it 
not  have  been  shed  in  vain ;  the  great  hope 
of  posterity,  let  it  not  be  blasted. 

The  striking  attitude,  too,  in  which  we 
stand  to  the  world  around  us. — cannot  be  al- 
together omitted  here.  Neither  individuals, 
nor  nations — can  perform  their  part  well, 
until  they  understand,  and  feel  its  import- 
ance, and  comprehend,  and  justly  appreciate, 
all  the  duties  belonging  to  it.  It  is  not  to  in- 
flate national  vanity,  nor  to  swell  a  light  and 
empty  feeling  of  self-importance ;  but  it  is, 
that  wc  may  judge  justly  of  our  situation  and 
of  our  duties,  {hat  I  earnestly  urge  this  con- 

li  ration  of  our  position,  and  our  character 
among  the  nations  of  the  earth. 

1 :  cannot  be  denicd,'but  by  those  who  would 
dispute  against  the  sun,  that  with  America, 
and  in  America,  a  new  era  commences  in 
human  affairs.  This  era  is  distinguished  by 
free  representative  governments,"  by  entire 
religious  liberty,  by  improved  systems  of  na- 
tional intercourse, by  a  newly  awakened  and 
an  unquenchable  spirit  of  free  inquiry,  and 
by  a  diffusion  of  knowledge  through  the  com- 
munity, such  as  has  been  before,  altogether 
unknown,  and  unheard  of.  America,  Ame- 
rica, oui  country,  fellow-citizens,  our  own 
dear  and  native  land,  is  inseparably  connect- 
ed, fasl  bound  up,  in  fortune,  and  by  late, 
with  these  great  interests.  If  they  fall,  we 
fall  with  them;  if  they  st.uid.it  will  be  be- 
cause wc  have  upholden  them. 


Let  us  contemplate,  then,  this  connection, 
which  binds  the  posterity  of  others  to  our 
own;  and  let  us  manfully  discharge  all  the 
duties  it  imposes.  If  we  cherish  the  virtues, 
and  the  principles  of  our  fathers,  Heaven  will 
assist  us  to  carry  on  the  work  of  human  lib- 
erty, and  human  happiness.  Auspicious 
omens  cheer  us.  Great  examples  are  before 
us.  Our  firmament  now  shines  brightly  upon 
our  path.  Washington  is  in  the  clear,  upper 
sky.  Adams,  Jefferson,  and  other  stars  have 
joined  the  American  constellation ;  they  cir- 
cle round  their  center,  and  the  heavens  "beam 
with  new  light.  Beneath  this  illumination, 
letus  walk  the  course  of  life;  and, at  itsclose, 
devoutly  commend  our  beloved  country,  the 
common  parent  of  us  all,  to  the  divine  be- 
nignity.—  Webster. 


73f 


LANDING   OF   THE   TILGK1M   FATHERS. 


The  breaking  waves — dashed  high 
On  a  stern — and  rock-bound  coast, 

And  the  woods — against  a  stormy  sky, 
Their  giant  branches — tossed; 

And  the  heavy  night — hung  dark — 

The  lulls— and  waters  o'er, 
When  a  band  of  exiles — moored  their  bark 

On  the  wild — New  England  shore. 

Not — as  the  conqueror — comes, 

They,  the  true-hearted,  came, 
Not  with  the  roll — of  the  stirring  drums, 

And  the  trumpet — that  sings  of  fame. 

Not — as  the  flying — come, 

In  silence, — and  in  fear  ; 
They  shook — the  depth — of  the  desert's  gloom, 

With  their  hymns  of  lofty  cheer. 

Amidst  the  storm — they  sang, 

And  the  stars — heard,  and  the  sea; 

And  the  sounding  aisles — of  the  dim  woods  rang 
To  the  anthem — of  the  free. 

The  ocean-eagle — soared 

From  his  nest — by  the  white  wave's  foam, 
And  the  rocking  pines — of  the  forest  roared; 

This — was  their  welcome  home. 

There  were  men — with  hoary  hair, 

Amidst  that  pilgrim  band, 
Why  had  they  come — to  wither  there, 

Away — from  their  childhood's  land  ? 

There  was  woman's — fearless  eye, 

Lit — by  her  deep  love's  truth; 
There  was  manhood's  brow,  serenely  high, 

And  the  fiery  heart — of  youth. 

What — sought  they — thus,  afar? 

Bright  jewels — of  the  mine? 
The  wealth  of  seas,  the  spoils  of  war? 

They  sought — a  faith's  pure  shrine '. 

Aye,  call  it  holy  ground. 

The  soil — where  first  they  trod!  [found — 

They  have  left,  unstained — what  there — they 

Freedom — to  worship  God  ! — Hevians. 

'Twas  Slander — filled  her  mouth  with  lying  words, 
Slander,  the  foulest  whelp  of  Sin.    The  man 
In  whom  this  spirit  entered — was  undone. 
I  lis  tongue — was  set  on  fire  of  hell,  his  heart 
Was  black  asdeath.hislegs — were  faint  with  haste 
To  propagate  the  lie — his  soul  had  framed  ; 
His  pillow — was  the  peace  of  families 
Destroyed,  the  sigh  of  innocence  reproached, 
Broken  friendships,  and  the  strife  of  brotherhoods. 
Yet  did  he  spare  his  sleep,  and  hear  the  clock 
Number  the  midnight  watches,  on  his  bed, 
Devising  mischief  more;  and  early  rose, 
And  made  most  hellish  meals  of  good  men's  names 


312 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


730.  The  Pilgrims,  and  their  Desti- 
ny. Methinks  I  see  it  now, — that  one,  solita- 
ry, adventurous  vessel,  the  Maijfiower — of  a 
forlorn  hope,  freighted — with  the  prospects 
of  a  future  state,  and  bound — across  the  un- 
known sea.  I  behold  it  pursuing,  with  a 
thousand  misgivings,  the  uncertain,  the  tedi- 
ous voyage.  Suns  rise — and  set,  and  weeks, 
and  months — pass,  and  winter — surprises 
them  on  the  deep,  but  brings  them  not — the 
sight — of  the  wished-for  shore.  I  see  them 
now,  scant  ily  supplied  with  provisions,  crowd- 
ed, almost  to  suffocation,  in  their  ill-stored 
prison,  delayed  by  calms,  pursuing  a  circuit- 
on.?  route, — and  how,  driven  in  fury,  before 
tho  raging  tempest,  on  the  high  and  giddy 
waves.  The  awful  voice  of  the  storm — howls 
through  the  rigging.  The  laboring  masts — 
seem  straining  from  their  base;  the  dismal 
sound  of  the  pump — is  heard — the  ship  leaps, 
as  it  were,  madly,  from  billow  to  billow ;  the 
ocean  breaks,  and  settles  with  engulphing 
floods — over  the  floating  deck,  and  beats, 
with  deadening  weight,  against  the  staggered 
vessel.  I  see  them  escaped  from  these  perils, 
pursuing  their  all  but  desperate  undertaking, 
and  landed,  at  last,  after  a  five  months'  pas- 
sage, on  the  ice-clad  rocks  of  Plymouth, — 
weak,  and  weary  from  the  voyage, — poorly 
armed,  scantily  provisioned,  depending  on  the 
charity  of  their  ship-master — for  a  draft  of 
beer  on  board,  drinking  nothing  but  water  on 
shore, — without  shelter, — without  means, — 
surrounded  by  hostile  tribes.  Shut,  now,  the 
volume  of  history,  and  tell  me,  on  any  prin- 
ciple of  human  probability,  what  shall  be  the 
fate  of  this  handtull  of  adventurers?  Tell  me, 
man  of  military  science,  in  how  many  months 
were  they  all  swept  off — by  the  thirty  savage 
tribes,  enumerated  within  the  early  limits  of 
New  England!  Tell  me,  politician,  how 
long  did  this  shadow  of  a  colony,  on  which 
your  conventions  and  treaties  had  not  smiled, 
languish  on  the  distant  coast'!  Student  of 
history,  compare  for  me — the  baffled  pro- 
jects, the  deserted  settlements,  the  abandon- 
ed adventures,  of  other  times,  and  find  the 
parallel  of  this.  Was  it  the  winters  storm, 
beating  upon  the  houseless  heads  of  women 
and  children ;  was  it  hard  labor  and  spare 
meals ;  was  it  disease, — was  it  the  tomahawk ; 
was  it  the  deep  malady  of  a  blighted  hope,  a 
ruined  enterprise,  and  a  broken  heart,  aching 
in  its  last  moments,  at  the  recollection  of  the 
loved  and  left,  beyond  the  sea  ;  was  it  some, 
or  all  of  these  united,  that  hurried  this  for- 
saken company  to  their  melancholy  fate] 
And  is  it  possible,  that  neither  of  these  cau- 
ses, that  not  all  combined,  were  able  to  blast 
this  bud  of  hope  ]  Is  it  possible,  that  from 
a  beginning  so  feeble,  so  frail,  so  worthy, 
not  so  much  of  admiration  as  of  pity,  there 
has  gone  forth  a  progress  so  steady,  a  growth 
so  wonderful,  a  reality  so  important,  a  prom- 
ise yet  to  be  fulfilled,  so  glorious] — Everett. 

737.  Tribute  to  William  Penn.  Wil- 
liam Pi  nil — stands  the  first,  among  the  law- 
givers, whose  names,  and  deeds  are  recorded 
in  history.  Shall  we  compare  with  him  Lycur- 
gus,  Solon,  Romulus,  those,  founders  of  mili- 
tary commonwealths,  who  organized  their 
-  citizens  in  dreadful  array — against  the  rest 
of  their  species '!  taught  them  to  consider 
their  fellow-men  as  barbarians,  and  them- 
selves as  alone  worthy  to  rule  over  the  earth] 
What  benefit  did  mankind  derive  from  their 


boasted  institutions  ]  Interrogate  the  shades 
of  those  who  fell  in  the  mighty  contests,  be- 
tween Athens  and  Laeedamion,  between 
Carthage  and  Rome,  and  between  Rome  and 
the  rest  of  the  universe.  But  see  our  Wil- 
liam Penn,  with  weaponless  hands,  sitting 
down,  peaceably,  with  his  followers,  in  the 
midst  of  savage  nations,  whose  only  occupa- 
tion was  shedding  the  blood  of  their  fellow- 
men,  disarming  them  by  his  justice,  and  teach- 
ing them,  for  the  first  time,  to  view  a  stranger 
without  distrust.  See  them  bury  their  toma- 
hawks, in  his  presence,  so  deep,  that  man  shall 
never  be  able  to  find  them  again.  See  them 
under  the  shade  of  the  thick  groves  of  Qua- 
quannock,  extend  the  bright  chain  of  friend- 
ship, and  promise  to  preserve  it,  as  long  as 
the  sun,  and  moon  shall  endure.  See  him, 
then,  with  his  companions,  establishing  his 
commonwealth  on  the  sole  basis  of  religion, 
morality,  and  universal  love,  and  adopting, 
as  the  fundamental  maxims  of  his  govern- 
ment, the  rule  handed  down  to  us  from 
Heaven,  "Glory  to  God  on  high,  and  on 
earth  peace,  and  good  will  to  all  men." 

Here  was  a  spectacle — for  the  potentates 
of  the  earth  to  look  upon,  an  example  for 
them  to  imitate.  But  the  potentates  the 
earth  did  not  see :  or,  if  they  saw,  they  turned 
away  their  eyes  from  the  sight ;  they  did  not 
hear;  or,  if  they  heard,  they  shut  their  ears 
against  the  voice. 

The  character  of  William  Penn  alone, 
sheds  a  never-fading  lustre  upon  our  history. 
No  other  state  in  this  Union  can  boast  of  such 
an  illustrious  founder ;  none  began  their  so- 
cial career,  under  auspices  so  honorable  to 
humanity.  Every  trait  of  the  life  of  that 
great  man,  every  fact,  and  anecdote,  of  those 
golden  times,  will  furnish  many  an  interest- 
ing subject  for  the  fancy  of  the  novelist,  and 
the  enthusiasm  of  the  poet. — Duponceau. 

738.  wolsey"s  soliloquy  on  ambition. 
Farewell,  a  long  farewell,  to  all  my  greatness! 
This — is  the  state  of  man :  To-day,  he  puts  forth 
The  tender  leaves  of  hope  ;  to-morrow,  blossoms, 
And  bears  his  blushing  honors — thick  upon  him  ; 
The  third  day,  comes  a  frost,  a. killing  frost; 
And,  when  he  thinks,  good,  easy  man,  full  surely 
His  greatness  is  a  ripening,  nips  his  root ; 
And  then  he  falls,  as  I  do. 

I  have  ventur'd, 
Like  little  wanton  boys,  that  swim  on  bladders, 
These  many  summers — in  a  sea  of  glory, 
But  far  beyond  my  depth ;  my  high-blown  pride 
At  length — broke  under  me ;  and  now  has  left  me, 
Weary,  and  old  with  service,  to  the  mercy 
Of  a  rude  stream,  that  must  forever — hide  me. 
Vain  pomp,  and  glory  of  this  world,  I  hate  you ! 
I  feel  my  heart  now  open'd. 

O !  how  wretched 
Is  that  poor  man,  that  hangs  on  princes'  favors ! 
There  are,  betwixt  that  smile — he  would  aspire  to, 
That  sweet  aspect  of  princes,  and  his  ruin, 
More  pangs  and  fears,  than  war  or  women  have  ; 
And  when  he  falls,  he  falls,  like  Lucifer, 
Never — to  rise  again. — Sliakspeare. 

Meditation — here — 
May  think  down  hours — to  moments ;  here,  the 
May  give  a  useful  lesson — to  the  head,        [heart 
And  learning,  wiser  grow — without  his  books. 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


313 


739.   BASQUE   GIRL,    OR    LOVE'S   SACRIFICE. 

Twas  one  of  those  sweet  spots,  which  seem  just 
For  lovers' meeting,  or,  for  minstrel  haum 
The  maiden's  blush — would  look  so  beautiful, 
By  those  white  roses,  and  the  poet's  dream, 
Would  be  so  soothing,  lull'd  by  the  low  notes, 
The  birds  sing — to  the  leaves,  whose  soft  reply — 
Is  murimir'd  by  the  wind  :  the  grass  beneath, 
Is  full  of  wild  flowers,  and  the  cypress  boughs 
Have  twined  overhead,  graceful, and  close  as  love. 
The  sun— is  shining  cheerfully,  though  scarce  his 
May  pierce — throughthedim  shade,  yet,still,[rays 
Some  golden  hues  are  glancing  o'er  the  trees, 
And  the  blue  flood  is  gliding  by,  as  bright, 
As  hope's  first  smile.     All.  lingering,  stayed  lo 
Upon  this  Kden — of  the  painter'3  art,  [gaze 

And  looking  on  its  loveliness,  forgot — 
The  crowded  world — around  them!     But  a  spell, 
Stronger  than  the  green  landscape — fixed  the 
II—  of  woman's  beauty !  By  a  beech,  [eye — 
Whose  :<-  iiL'  dark  shadow — fell  upon  the  stream, 
There  stood  a  radiant  girl !  her  chestnut  hair — 
(One  bright  gold  tint  was  on  it) — loosely  fell 
In  large  rich  curls — upon  a  neck,  whose  snow 
And  L'rare — were  like  the  swan's:  she  wore  the 
Of  her  own  village,  and  her  small  white  feet  [garb 
And  slender  ancles,  delicate,  as  carved 
From  Indian  ivory — were  bare, — the  turf  [stood! 
Seem'd  scarce  to  feel  their  pressure.    There  she 
Her  head — leant  upon  her  arm,  the  beech's  trunk 
Supporting  her  slight  figure,  and  one  hand, 
Press'd  to  her  heart,  as  if  to  still  its  throbs! 
You  never  might  forget  that  face. — so  young, 
So  fair,  yet  trae'd — with  such  deep  characters 
Of  inward  wretchedness  !     The  eyes  were  dim 
Will  tears,  on  the  dark  lashes  ;  still,  the  lip 
Could  not  quite  lose — its  own  accustom'd  smile, 
Even  by  that  pale  cheek — it  kept  i's  arch, 
And  tender  playfulness  :  you  look'd,  and  said, 
What  can  have  shadow'd— such  a  sunny  brow  1 
There  is  so  much  of  natural  happiness, 
In  that  bright  countenance,  it  seems  but  formed, 
For  Spring's  light  sunbeams,  or  yet  lighter  dews. 
You  turned  away — then  came— and  look'd  again, 
Watching  the  pale,  and  silent  lovelness, 
Till  even  sleep— was  haunted  by  that  image. 
There  was  a  sever'd  chain  upon  the  ground — 
Ah  '.  love  is  e'en  more  fragile  than  its  gifts! 
A  trees  of  raven  hair;— oh  !  only  those, 
Whose  souls  have  felt  this  one  idolatry. 
Can  tell — how  precious— is  the  slightest  thing, 
Affection  gives,  and  hallows  !     A  dead  flower 
Will  I0112  be  kept,  remembrancer  of  looks, 
That  made  each  leaf  a  treasure.    The  tree 
ITad  two  ?li"ht  words — graven  upon  its  stem — 
The  broken  heart's  last  record— of  its  faith— 
"Adieu  Henri!'' 

I  learnt  the  hist'ry  of  the  lovely  picture  : 
It  was  a  peasant  girl"s,  whose  soul  was  given 
To  one — as  far  above  her,  as  the  pine — 
Towers  o'er  the  lovely  violet ;  yet  still 
She  lov'd,  and  was  belov'd  again, — ere  yet 
The  many  trammels  of  the  world — were  flung 
Around  a  heart,  whose  first  and  latest  pulse, 
Throbb'd— but  for  beauty:  him,  the  young,  the 

brave, 
Chivalrous  prince,  whose  name,  in  after  years, 
40  2D 


A  nation— was  to  worship— that  young  heart — 
Beat  with  its  first  wild  passion — that  pure  feeling, 
Life  only  once  may  know.    I  will  not  dwell 
On  how  affection's  bark  was  launch'd,  and  lost : 
Love,  thou  hast  hopes,  like  summer's — short, 

and  bright 
Moments  of  ecstasy,  and  maddening  dreams, 
Intense,  delicious  throbs!     But  happiness 
Is  not  for  thee.    If  ever  thou  hast  known 
Quiet,  yet  deep  enjoyment,  'tis,  or  ere 
Thy  presence  is  confessed  ;  but,  once  reveal'd, 
We  bow  us  down — in  passionate  devotion, 
Vow'd  at  thy  altar;  then  the  serpents  wake, 
That  coil  around  thy  votaries — hopes  that  make 
Tears — burning  arrows— lingering  jealousy, 
And  last,  worst  poison,  of  thy  cup — neglect. 

It  matters  little,  how  she  was  forgotten, 
Or  what  she  felt— a  woman — can  but  weep. 
She  pray'd  her  lover,  but  to  say — farewell, — 
To  meet  her,  by  the  river,  where  such  hours 
Of  happiness  had  passed,  and  said,  she  knew 
How  much  she  was  beneath  him  ;  but  she  pray'd] 
Thai  he  would  look  upon  her  face — once  more  ! 

He  sought  the  spot, — upon  the  beechen  tree 
•'Adieu  Henri  "  was  graven — and  his  heart — 
Felt  cold — within  him  !     He  turned  to  the  wave, 
And  there — the  beautiful  peasant  floated — Death 
Had  seal'd — "Love's — sacrifice  /" 

74tO.     home. 
There  is  a  land,  of  every  land  the  pride, 
Belov'd  by  heaven — o'er  all  the  world  beside  ; 
Where  brighter  suns — dispense  serener  light, 
And  milder  moons  emparadise  the  night; 
A  land  of  beauty,  virtue,  valor,  truth, 
Time  tutored  age,  and  love  exalted  youth. 
The  wandering  mariner,  whose  eyes  explores 
The  wealthiest  isles,  the  most  enchanting  shores, 
Views  not  a  realm — so  beautiful  and  fair, 
Nor  breathes  a  spirit  of  a  purer  air  ; 
In  every  clime — the  magnet  of  his  soul, 
Touch'd  by  remembrance,  trembles  to  that  pole  ; 
For  in  this  land— of  heaven's  peculiar  grace, 
The  heritage — of  nature's  noblest  race, 
There  is  a  spot  of  earth — supremely  blest, 
A  dearer,  sweeter  spot — than  all  the  rest, 
Where  man,  creation's  tyrant,  casts  aside 
His  sword,  and  sceptre,  pageantry,  and  pride  ; 
Within  his  softened  looks,  benignly  blend 
The  sire,  the  son,  the  husband,  father,  friend  : 
Here,  woman  reigns  ;  the  mother,  daughter,  wife, 
Strews,  with  fresh  flowers,  the  narrow  way  of 
In  the  clear  heaven  of  her  delightful  eye,     [life  ; 
An  angel  guard  of  loves  and  graces  lie  ; 
Around  her  knees,  domestic  duties  meet, 
And  fire-side  pleasures  gamble  at  her  feet. 
Where  shall  that  land,  that  spot  of  earth  be  found'? 
Art  thou  a  man?  a  patriot  ?  look  around  : 
Oh  !  thou  shalt  find,  howe'er  thy  footsteps  roam. 
That  land — thy  country,  and  that  spot — thy  home! 
He,  who,  malignant,  tears  an  absent  friend, 
Or,  when  attacked  by  others,  don't  defend : 
Who  trivial  bursts  of  laughter  strives  to  raise, 
And  counts  of  prating  petulance  the  praise ; 
Oftfa  ngs  he  never  saw,  who  tells  his  tale, 
And  friendship's  secrets  knows  not  to  conceal ; 
This  man  is  vile  ;  here,  Roman,  fix  your  mark  ; 
His  soul  is  black. 


314 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


741.  MARIA  DE  TORQUEMADA  TAKING  THE  VAIL. 

"  My  lord  !  you  should  have  seen  her,  as  she  stood, 

Bidding  the  world— farewell.    Her  pretty  hands, 

Like  two  enclasping  lilies ;  in  her  eyes, 

Two  quivering  crystal  drops, — her  cheek — a  rose, 

Yet  of  the  whitest,  turned  upon  the  sky, 

To  which  her  thoughts  were  wing'd  !    I  never  saw 

So  heavenly  touch'd  a  sorrow !" 

There  is  a  spot,  a  holy  spot, 

A  refuge  for  the  wearied  mind  ; 
Where  earth's  wild  visions — are  forgot, 

And  love,  thy  poison  spell  's  untwined. 
There,  learns  the  withered  heart — to  pray — 

There,  gently  breaks  earth's  weary  chain  ; 
Nay,  let  me  weep  my  life  away — 

Let  me  do  all, — but  love  again. 
Oh!  thou  that  judgest  of  the  heart, 

Look  down  upon  this  bosom  bare ; 
And  all,  all  mercy  as  thou  art, 

Save  from  that  wildest,  worst  despair. 
There — silent,  dreamless,  loveless,  lone, 

The  agony,  at  length,  is  o'er; 
The  bleeding  breast— is  turned  to  stone, 

Hope  dies — and  passion — wakes  no  more. 
I  ask  not  death, — I  wait  thy  will ; 

I  dare  not — touch  my  fleeting  span  : 
But  let  me,  oh !  not  linger  still, 

The  slave  of  misery  and  man! 
Why  sink  my  steps  !  one  struggle  past, 

And  all  the  rest — is  quiet  gloom  ; 
Eyes — look  your  longest,  and  your  last, 

Then,  turn  ye  to  your  cell,  and  tomb. 
Fly  swift,  ye  hours  ! — the  convent  grate, 

To  me — is  open  Paradise  : 
The  keenest  bitterness  of  fate, 

Can  last,  but  till  the  victim — dies  ! 

743.   FALL  OF  BEAUTY,  BY  TEMPTATION. 

Once  on  a  lovely  day,  it  was  in  spring — 
I  rested  on  the  verge  of  that  dread  cliff, 
That  overlooks  old  Sterling.    Ml  was  gay ; 
The  birds — sang  sweet ;  the  trees — put  forth  their 
leaves,  [soms ; 

So  pale,  that  in  the  sun,  they  looked  like  blos- 
Some  children  wandered,  careless,  on  the  hill, 
Selecting  ear\y  flowers.    My  heart  rejoiced, 
For  all  was  glad  around  me.     One  sweet  maid 
Came  tripping  near,  eyeing,  with  gladsome  smile, 
Each  little  flower,  that  bloomed  upon  the  hill  : 
Nimbly  she  picked  them, 'minding  me  of  the  swan, 
That  feeds  upon  the  waste.    I  blest  the  girl, — 
She  was  not  maid,  nor  child  ;  but  of  that  age, 
'Twist  both,  when  purity  of  frame,  and  soul, 
Awaken  dreams  of  beauty,  drawn  in  heaven. 

Deep  in  a  little  den,  within  the  cliff, 
K  floweret  caught  her  eye, — it  was  a  primrose, 
Fair  flaunting  in  the  sun.     With  eager  haste, 
Heedless  of  risk,  she  clambered  down  the  steep, 
Pluck' d  the  wish'd  flower,  and  sighed!  for  when 

she  saw 
The  depth  she  had  descended,  then,  she  woke 
To  sense  of  danger !  All  her  flowers  she  dropped, 
"And  tried  to  gain  the  height :  but — tried  in  vain  ! 
I  hastened  to  her  rescue  ;  but — alas ! 
I  came  too  late ! — O  God  !  she  fell. 

Far,  fur  down — on  the  rocks  below, 
Her  lovely  form  was  found — at  rest  I 


I  saw  her,  in  mid  air,  fall  like  a  seraph 
From  out  Vae  firmament.    The  rooks  and  daws, 
That  fled  their  roosts,  in  thousands,  at  the  sight, 
Curtained  her  exit — from  my  palsied  eye, 
And  dizzy  brain.    O!  never,  will  that  scene 
Part  from  my  heart !  whene'er  I  would  be  sad, 
I  think  of  it. 

743.      THE   BEST   OF    WIVES. 

A  man  had  once  a  vicious  wife — 
(A  most  uncommon  thing  in  life) ;  [ceasing. 

His  days — and  nights — were  spent  in  strife — un- 
Her  tongue  went  glibly — all  day  long, 
Sweet  contradiction — still  her  song,  [done. 

And  all  the  poor  man  did — was  wrong,  and  ill— 
A  truce  without  doors,  or  within, 
From  speeches — long  as  tradesmen  spin, 
Or  rest  from  her  eternal  din,  he  found  not. 
He  every  soothing  art  displayed  ; 
Tried  of  what  stuff  her  skin  was  made  : 
Failing  in  all,  to  Heaven  he  prayed — to  take  her. 
Once,  walking  by  a  river's  side, 
In  mournful  terms,  "  My  dear,"  he  cried,    [them. 
"  No  more  let  feuds  our  peace  divide, — I'll  end 
"Weary  of  life,  and  quite  resigned, 
To  drown — I  have  made  up  my  mind, 
So  tie  my  hands  as  fast  behind — as  can  be, — 
"Or  nature — may  assert  her  reign, 
My  arms  assist,  my  will  restrain, 
And  swimming.  I  once  more  regain,  my  troubles  * 
With  eager  haste — the  dame  complies, 
While  joy — stands  glistening  in  her  eyes ; 
Already,  in  her  thoughts,  he  dies — before  her. 
"Yet,  when  I  view  the  rolling  tide, 
Nature  revolts" — lie  said  ;  "  beside, 
I  would  not  be  a  suicide,  and  die  thus. 
"  It  would  be  better,  far  I  think, 
While  close  I  stand — upon  the  brink, 
You  push  me  in, — nay,  never  shrink — but  do  it. 
To  give  the  blow— the  more  effect, 
Some  twenty  yards — she  ran  direct,  [do. 

And  did — what  she  could  least  expect,  she  should 
He  slips  aside — himself  to  save, 
So  souse — she  dashes,  in  the  wave,       [pleasure. 
And   gave,  what  ne'er  she  gave  before — much 
"  Dear  husband,  help  !  I  sink  !"  she  cried : 
"Thou  best  of  wives — "  the  man  replied, 
"  I  would, — but  you  my  hands  have  tied, — hea- 
ven help  you." 
The  modern  device  of  consulting  indexes, 
is  to  read  books  hebraically,  and  begin  where 
others  usually  end.    And  this  is  a  compendi- 
ous way  of  coming  to  an  acquaintance  with 
authors  ;  for  authors  are  to  be  used  like  lob- 
sters, you  must  look  for  the  best  meat  in  the 
tails,  and  lay  the  bodies  back  again  in  the 
dish.     Your  cunningest  thieves  (and  what 
else  are  readers,  who  only  read  to  borrow,  i. 
e.  to  steal)  use  to  cut  off  the  portmanteau 
from  behind,  without  staying  to  dive  into  the 
pockets  of  the  owner. — Stcijl. 
Desire,  (when  young)  is  easily  suppressed; 
But,  cherished  by  the  sun  of  warm  encourage- 
ment, 
Becomes  too  strong— and  potent — for  control ; 
Nor  yields— but  to  despair,  the  worst  of  passions 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


315 


744.   ALEXANDER'S   FEAST. 

Twas — at  the  royal  feast,  for  Persia  won, 
By  Philip's  warlike  son. — 

Aloft,  in  awful  state,  (he  godlike  hero  sat 
On  his  imperial  throne. 

Ilis  valiant  peers — were  placed  around. 
Their  brows.with  roses,  and  with  myrtles  bound ; 
So,  should  desert,  in  arms  be  crowifed. 
The  lovely  Thais,  by  his  side, 
Sat,  like  a  blooming  Eastern  bride, 
In  flower  of  youth,  and  beauty's  pride. — 
Happy,  happy,  happy  pair! 
None  but  the  brave,  none  but  the  brave, 
None  but  the  brave — deserve  the  fair. 

Timofheus,  placed  on  high, 

Amid  the  tuneful  choir. 

With  flying  fingers — touched  the  lyre; 
The  trembling  notes  ascend  the  sky, 

And  heavenly  joys  inspire. 
The  song — began  from  Jove, 
Who  left  his  blissful  seats  above ; 
Such  is  the  power — of  mighty  love. 
A  dragon's  fiery  form  belied  the  god: 
Sublime,  on  radiant  spheres  he  rode, 

When  he,  to  fairOlympia  pressed,  [the  world. 
And  stamped  an  image  of  himself,  a  sovereign  of 
The  listening  crowd — admire  the  lofty  sound  : 
A  present  deity !  they  shout  around  ; 
A  present  deity !  the  vaulted  roofs  rebound. 

With  ravished  ears,  the  monarch  hears; 

Assumes  the  god,  affects  to  nod, 
And  seems  to  shake  the  spheres. 

The  praise  of  Bacchus,  then,  the  sweet  musician 
Of  Bacchus,  ever  fair,  and  ever  young.         [sung, 
The  jolly  god  in  triumph  comes ! 
Sound  the  trumpets,  beat  the  drums 
Flushed  with  a  purple  grace, 
He  shows  his  honest  face.  [comes  ! 

Now,  give  the  hautboys  breath  —  he  comes !  he 
Bacchus,  ever  fair  and  young, 
Drinking  joys  did  first  ordain. 
Bacchus'  blessings  are  a  treasure ; 
Drinking  is  the  soldier's  pleasure. 
Rich  the  treasure ;  sweet  the  pleasure ; 
Sweet  is  pleasure  after  pain. 

Soothed  with  the  sound,  the  king  grew  vain  ; 
Fought  his  battles  o'er  again  ;  [the  slain. 

And  thrice  he  routed  all  his  foes, and  thrice  he  slew 
The  master  saw  the  madness  rise; 
His  glowing  cheeks,  his  ardent  eyes; 
And,  while  he  heaven  and  earth  defied, 
Changed  his  hand,  and  checked  his  pride. — 

He  chose  a  mournful  muse,  soft  pity  to  infuse, 
He  sung  Darius,  great  and  good,  [len, 

By  too  severe  a  fate,  fallen,  fallen,  fallen,  fal- 
Fallen  from  his  high  estate, 
And  weltering  in  his  blood. 
Deserted,  in  his  utmost  need, 
By  those,  his  former  bounty  fed, 
On  the  bare  earth — exposed  he  lies, 
With  not  a  friend — to  close  his  eyes. — 
With  downcast  look — the  joyless  victor  sat, 
Revolving,  in  his  altered  soul, 

The  various  turns  of  fate  below, 
And,  now  and  then,  a  sigh  he  stole, 
And  tears — began  to  flow. 

The  master  smiled,  to  see, 
That  love — was  in  the  next  degree  ; 
'Twas  but  a  kindred  sound  to  move; 
For  pity — melts  the  mind  to  love. 

Softly  sweet  in  Lydian  measures, 

Soon,  he  soothed  his  soul  to  pleasures; 

War,  he  sung,  is  toil  and  trouble; 

Honor,  but  an  empty  bubble  ; 

Never  ending,  still  beginning, 
Fighting  still,  and  still  destroying. 

If  the  world  be  worth  thy  winning, 
Think,  oh!  think  it  worth  enjoying! 

Lovely  Thais  sits  beside  thee  ; 

Take  the  good  the  gods  provide  thee. — 


The  many  rend  the  skies  with  loud  applause; 
So  love  was  crowned,  but  music — won  the  cause. 
The  prince,  unable  to  conceal  his  pain, 

Gazed  on  the  fair,  who  caused  his  care, 
And  sighed  and  looked  ;  sighed  and  looked; 
Sighed  and  looked;  and  sighed  again: 
At  length,  with  love,  and  wine,  at  once  oppress'd, 
The  vanquished  victor — sunk — upon  her  breast. 

Now,  strike  the  golden  lyre  again; 
A  louder  yet,  and  yet  a  louder  strain : 
Break  his  bands  of  sleep  asunder, 
And  rouse  him,  like  a  rattling  peal  of  thunder. 
Hark  !  hark  ! — the  horrid  sound  [dead, 

Hath  raised  up  his  head,  as  awaked  from  the 
And  amazed  he  stares  around. 
Revenge,  revenge  !  Timotheus  cries — 
See  the  furies  arise !     See  the  snakes  that  they  rear, 

How  they  hiss  in  the  air, 
And  the  sparkles  that  flash  from  their  eyes  ! 
Behold  a  ghastly  band,  each  a  torch  in  his  hand  '. 
These  are  Grecian  ghosts,  that  in  battle  were  slain, 
And,  unburied,  remain  inglorious  on  the  plain. 
Give  the  vengeance  due  to  the  valiant  crew. 
Behold,  how  they  toss  their  torches  on  high! 
How  they  point  to  the  Persian  abodes, 
And  glittering  temples  of  their  hostile  gods! 
The  princes  applaud,  with  a  furious  joy  ;     [stroy: 
And  the  king  seized  a  flambeau,  with  zeal  to  de- 
Thais  led  the  way,  to  light  him  to  his  prey; 
And.  like  another  Helen — fired  another  Troy. 

Thus,  long  ago,  ere  heaving  bellows  learned  to 
While  organs  yet  were  mute;  [blow, 

Timotheus,  to  hisbreathing  flute  and  sounding  lyre, 
Could  swell  the  soul  to  rage,  or  kindle  soft  desire. 
At  last,  divine  Cecilia  came, 
Inventress  of  the  vocal  frame. 
The  sweet  enthusiast,  from  her  sacred  store, 
Enlarged  the  former  narrow  bounds, 
And  added  length — to  solemn  sounds,         [fore. 
With  nature's  mother-wit,  and  arts  unknown  be- 
Let  old  Timotheus  yield  the  prize, 

Or  both — divide  the  crown ; 
He — raised  a  mortal — to  the  skies; 
She — drew  an  angel  down. — Dryden. 

ORATOR  PUFF. 
Mr.  Orator  Puff— had  two  tones — in  his  voice, 

The  one — squeaking  thus,  and  the  other  down  so ; 

In  each  sentence  he  utter'd  he  gave  you  your  choice, 

For  one  half  was  B  alt,  and  the  restG  below. 

Oh  !  oh  !  Oratar  Puff, 

One  voice  for  an  orator 's  surely  enough. 

But  he  still  talked  away,  spite  of  coughs  and  of  frowns, 

So  distracting  all  ears  with  his  ups  and  his  downs, 
That  a  wag  once,  on  hearing  the  orator  say, 
"  My  voice  is  for  war,"  ask'd  him, "  Which  of  them,  pray?" 
Oh!  oh!  &c. 
Reeling  homewards,  one  evening,  top-heavy  with  gin, 

And  rehearsing  his  speech  on  the  weight  of  the  crown, 
He  tripp'd  near  a  saw-pit,  and  tumbled  right  in, 
"  Sinking  fund,"  the  last  words  as  his  noddte  came  down. 
Oh!  oh!  &c. 
"  Good  Lord !"  he  exclaim 'd,  in  his  he-and-she  tones, 

"  Help  me  out ! — help  me  out ! — I  have  broken  my  bones !" 

"  Help  you  out !"  said  a  Paddy,  who  pass'd,  "  what  a  bother ! 

Why,  there's  two  of  you  there  j  can't  you  help  one  an- 

Oh!  oh!  &c.  [other?" 

CHARACTER  OF   A   GOOD   PARSON. 

His  preaching  much,  but  more  his  practice  wro't; 
(A  living  sermon  of  the  truths  he  taught;) 
For  this  by  rules  severe  his  life  he  squared, 
That  all  might  see  the  doctrine  which  they  heard. 
For  priests,  he  said,  are  patterns  for  the  rest; 
(The  gold  of  heav'n,  who  bear  the  God  impress'd ; 
But  when  the  precious  coin  is  kept  unclean, 
The  sovereign's  image  is  no  longer  seen. 
If  they  be  foul  on  whom  the  people  trust, 
Well  may  the  baser  coin  contract  a  rust. 


316 


READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


745.  Pride  of  Profession-.  We  are 
very  apt  to  be  fond  of  that  which  we  excel  in 
ourselves,  and  to  underrate  the  acquirements 
and  powers  of  others  in  a  different  sphere, 
without  reflecting  that  the  field  of  human 
thought  and  occupation  is  broad,  and  that  a 
man  may  carefully  cultivate  one  part  with- 
out being  in  the  least  acquainted  with  the 
products  of  another.  With  what  contempt  a 
skillful  musician  sometimes  regards  one  who 
cannot  turn  a  tune,  but  who,  perhaps,  is  an 
excellent  book-keeper,  or  an  adroit  ship- 
builder ! 

What  a  conscious  pride  and  pomp  of  eru- 
dition a  profound  linguist  betrays  while  quo- 
ting familiarly  from  Homer  and  Horace, 
Dante,  or  Lopez  de  Vega,  before  a  simple 
student,  only  master  of  bis  mother  tongue, 
and  who  in  turn  sneers  at  the  mistakes  made 
by  others  in  speaking  of  natural  philosophy 
and  astronomy.  I  never  suffer  myself  to  be 
led  away  thus  by  a  man's  accidental  accom- 
plishments or  attainments. 

If  I  lind  a  sensible  good-hearted  fellow  (as 
I  frequently  do,)  who  has  never  even  read 
Milton  and  Shakspeare,  I  respect  him  not- 
withstanding ;  for  I  say  to  myself,  it  is  pro- 
bable he  is  an  adept  at  something  besides  lit- 
erature, where  perhaps  I  should  require  a 
similar  indulgence  from  him. — Fay. 

7  !*>•      ODE   FOR  THE   FOURTH   OF   JULY. 

I  see  that  banner  proudly  wave, 

Yes,  proudly  waving  yet, 

Not  a  stripe  is  torn — from  the  broad  array, — 

Not  a  single  star — is  set; 

And  the  eagle,  with  unruffled  plume, 

Is  soaring  aloft — in  the  welkin  dome 

Not  a  leaf— is  pluck'd  from  the  branch  he  bears: 

From  his  grasp — not  an  arrow  has  flown ; 

The  mist — that  obstructed  his  vision— is  past, 

And  the  murmur  of  discord — is  gone  ;  [plain, 

For  he  sees,  with  a  glance  over  mountain,  and 

The  union — unbroken,  from  Georgia — to  Maine. 

Far  southward,  in  that  sunny  clime, 

Where  bright  magnolias  bloom, 

And  the  orange— with  the  lime-tree  vies, 

In  shedding  rich  perfume, 

A  sound  was  heard — like  the  ocean's  roar, 

As  its  surges  break — on  the  rocky  shore. 

Was  it  the  voice — of  the  tempest  loud, 

As  it  fell'd— some  lofty  tree, 

Or  sudden  flash— from  a  passing  storm — 

Of  heaven's  artillery? 

But  it  died  away,  and  the  sound  of  doves 

Is  heard  again — in  the  scented  groves. 

The  links — are  all  united  still, 

That  form  the  golden  chain. — 

And  peace,  and  plenty — smile  around, 

Throughout  the  wide  domain  : — 

How  feeble — is  language, — how  cold — is  the  lay, 

Compar'd  with  the  joy — of  this  festival  day  — 

To  see  that  banner — waving  yet. 

Aye,  waving  proud,  and  high, — 

No  rent — in  all  its  ample  folds ; 

No  stain — of  crimson  dye : 

And  the  eagle — spreads  his  pinions  fair, 

And  mounts  aloft — in  the  fields  of  air. — James. 
Nature,  in  her  productions  slow,  aspires, 
By  just  degrees,  to  reach  perfection's  height. 


747.  Maria.  Her  early  youth — passed 
away  in  sorrow:  she  grew  up  in  tears,  a 
stranger  to  the  amusements  of  youth,  and  ita 
more  delightful  schemes,  and  imaginations. 
She  was  not,  however,  unhappy;  she  attrib- 
uted, indeed,  no  merit  to  herself  for  her  vir- 
tues, but  for  that  reason — were  they  the  more 
her  reward.  The  peace  which  posset h  all 
understanding,  disclosed  itself  in  all  her 
looks,  and  movements.  It  lay  on  her  coun- 
tenance, like  a  steady,  unshadowed  moon- 
light; and  her  voice,  which  was  naturally  at 
once  sweet  and  subtle,  came  from  her,  like 
the  fine  flute-tones  of  a  masterly  performer, 
which,  still  floating  at  some  uncertain  dis- 
tance, seem  to  be  created  by  the  player,  rath- 
er than  to  proceed  from  the  instrument.  If 
you  had  listened  to  it,  in  one  of  those  brief 
sabbaths  of  the  soul,  when  the  activity  and  dis- 
cursiveness of  the  thoughts  are  suspended, 
and  the  mind,  quietly  eddies  round,  instead 
of  flowing  onward — (as  at  late  evening,  in  the 
spring,  I  have  seen  a  bat,  wheel  in  silent  cir- 
cles round  and  round  a  fruit-tree,  in  full  blos- 
som, in  the  midst  of  which,  as  within  a  close 
tent,  of  the  purest  white,  an  unseen  night- 
ingale was  piping  its  sweetest  notes  > — in  such 
a  mood,  you  might  have  half-fancied,  half-felt, 
that  her  voice  had  a  separate  being  of  its 
own — that  it  was  a  living  something,  whose 
mode  of  existence  was  for  the  early  only : 
so  deep  was  resignation,  so  entirely  had 
it  become  the  unconscious  habit  of  her  na- 
ture, and  in  all  she  did,  or  said,  so  perfect- 
ly were  both  her  movements,  and  her  utter- 
ance, without  effort,  and  without  the  appear- 
ance of  effort. — Coleridge. 

74S.      PHILOSOPHY    A7TD   RELIGION. 

There  is  a  philosophy — hollow,  unsound, 

To  matter — confining  its  false  speculation  ; 
Whose  flight  is  confin'd  within  Nature's  dull  round, 

Its  pinions — the  web — of  sophistic  persuasion. 
And,  there's  a  philosophy — truly  Divine, 

That  traces  effects — to — spiritual  causes, 
Determines  the  link — of  the  chain  where  they  join, 

And  soars — to  an  infinite  height— ere  it  pauses. 
That — meanly  debases — the  image  of  God, 

To  rank  with  the  brute- — in  the  scale  of  creation; 
This — raises  the  tenant  of  light — from  the  sod, 

And  bears  him  to  heaven— his  primitive  station. 
Hail !  science — of  angels  !  Theosophy — hail ! 

That  shows  us  the  regions  of  bliss  by  reflection ; 
Removes  from  creation's  broad  mirror — the  vail, 

Where  spirit — and  matter  appear  in  connection. 
It  breaks  on  the  soul — in  an  ocean  of  light,  [ions, 

She  starts  from  her  lethargy — stretches  her  pin- 
Beholds  a  new  world — bursting  forth  on  her  sight, 

And — soaring  in  ecstasy — claims  her  dominions. 
A  sense  of  original,  dignified  worth, 

Her  bosom  expands — with  sublime  exaltation ; 
She  tastes  immortality — even  on  earth. 

In  light,  that  eclipses — the  sun's  emanation. 
Be  sages,  and  pedants — to  nature — confined,  [ence; 

As  the  bat — darkly  flutters — in  Luna's  pale  pres- 
I  '11  soar,  'ike  the  eagle — thro'  regions  of  mind, 

In  the  blaze  of  that  sun — which  is  truth — in  its 
essence. —  Woodxoorth. 
The  man  th't  's  resolute,  and  just. 
Firm  to  his  principles,  and  trust, 
Nor  ./opes,  nor  fears,  can  bind. 


CONTENTS  OF  THE  PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


317 


A— its  Sounds,  17,  18,  19.  20-2-4-7-9:  Ab- 
stract Questions.  134-5  :  Action  and  Reaction, 
82  :  Accent,  69,  80  :  Accommodating,  24 :  Acute 
Pain,  196:  Admiration.  179,  198:  Admonition, 
199.  201  :  Advice  to  a  Traveler,  151  :  Afraid  to  do 
III,  113:  Afraid  of  Work.  80:  Affectation,  202: 
Affectuous  and  Heart,  71  :  A  Fool,  192:  Afirm- 
ing,  200:  Agriculture.  96:  Agrippa's  Promise  kept, 
186:  A  get  off,  33:  Alderman's  great  Toe,  147  : 
Alexander  and  the  Pirate,  110:  All  tlie  Pauses, 
93:  All  the  \\  orld  a  Stage,  154  :  All  tbe  Vowel 
sounds,  33:  Amazement,  188,  201 :  Amusements, 
52:  Anecdote  on  every  page  :  Analys  s  and  Syn- 
thesis,  24-9,  &c:  Analogies,  27.  72:  Anger,  154, 
180-2:  Anthony's  Challenge,  89 :  Anxiety,  217: 
Application,  102:  Appropriate  Sign,  US:  Archi- 
tecture, 103:  Arab  and  Foot  prints,  86:  Arhitra- 
ry  littles,  162:  Articulation,  24,  56  :  Arms,  224-9: 
A  Scold,  5.5:  Association  of  Ideas,  169:  Aspi- 
rates,  GS:  Attention,  187:  Astonishment,  198: 
Attitudes,  10,  236:  Au,  25-6:  Authority,  44, 
202:  Autumn,  75,  06  :  Awkwardness,  237  :  Aver- 
sion, 179, 

1$ — one  Sound,  35 :  Base  Character.  145 :  Beau- 
ty, Wit  and  Gold,  142:  Beautiful  World,  197: 
Beauty,  136,  154:  In  the  Deep,  164:  Be  earnest, 
139,  152:  Beware  of  relying  too  much  on  Inflec- 
tions, 169:  Blhle,  17,  12s.  146:  Birth  Day,  71  : 
Bigots,  102:  Hlood  Globules,  10:  Boasting,  210: 
Blushing,  40:  Boards  or  Sheep,  85:  Bound  in 
calf,  not  lettered,  220:  Botany,  93:  Book-keep- 
ing,36:  Blundering  on  the  Truth,  72:  Boys  and 
Fiogs.  97:  Botany  Bay  Patriots,  160:  Blind 
man's  Hose,  169  :  Blown  up  Lieutenant,  71  :  Bo- 
dy and  Mind,  70:  Bonaparte's  Check,  52  :  Boun- 
daries of  Knowledge,  56  :  Boundless  Nature  of 
Oratory,  66  :  Book  of  Nature,  203:  Bourdaloue, 
171 :  Braying,  223  :  Breathing,  9,  69.  S7:  Brough- 
am s  Eye,  45  :  Brotherly  I.ove.  190  :  Bruce  and 
the  Spider.  213  :  Brutus,  32  :  Buffoonery,  204  : 
Bunyan's  Indictment,  211  :  Butterfly,  117. 

C— its  Sounds,  36-7-8-9  ;  Cadence,  139 ;  Catch- 
ing a  Tartar,  27;  Causes  of  Greek  Perfection, 
27;  Cause  and  Effect,  32,  99;  Census  of  1840, 
156  ;  Ch.  37-9,  59;  Changes,  40;  Change,  of  Ac- 
cent, 71-2  ;  Characteristics  of  Man,  ll9  ;  Chil- 
dren and  Animals,  121:  Chinese,  33;  Chinese 
Physicians.  136;  Cheerfulness,  172;  Child  of 
Promise.  198;  Christian  Character,  53;  Choice 
of  a  Husband,  135;  Chemistry,  95;  Cicero,  32, 
74,  11-,  166,  233;  Clay,  149  ;  Clemency  to  Ruffi- 
ans. 210,  215;  Clergyman  in  Lent,  03  ;  "Classifica- 
tion of  Consonants,  64-5-7-8;  Client's  Bones, 
145;  Colder.  122;  Colon,  87;  Colonel,  his  owii 
trumpeter,  118;  Coincidences,  87;  Combina- 
tions u f  Waves,  130;  Common  Opinions,  55; 
Common  Sense,  107;  Compassion,  117,123;  Com- 
pressions and  Contractions.  21 ;  Commendation, 
205  ;  Conciseness.  164  ;  Conduct  towards  Swear- 
ers, 125  ;  Confidence.— Courage,  210;  Confine- 
ment of  Debtors,  139;  Contentment,  83;  Con- 
quering Love,  168;  Conjunction,  168;  Contrary, 
1.37;  Considerate  Minister,  46  ;  Contempt,  190; 
Construction  of  Houses,  105;  Contrasts,  33;  Con- 
sonant Sounds,  35;  Constitutional  Law,  115; 
Cottage  for  the  Poor,  226  ;  Cure  for  Sore  Eyes, 
223  ;   Ci.rran,  19;  his  Daughter,  76. 

D— its  Sounds,  40-1  ;  Day  of  Life.  ^4;  Dandy 
Officer,  155;  Dandies  and  Puppies,  221  ;  Danger- 
ous Biting,  76;  Dangers  of  bad  Company,  131  ; 
Dear  Wife,  28;  Delivery  and  Painting,  94; 
Death  of  a  Heart-Friend,  97;  Dead  and  Living 
Temples,  2i U  ;  Deformed  Chest,  9;  Debt,  118; 
Deceiver,  115;  Declamatory  and  Hortatory.  153; 
Dead  Languages,  221  ;  Departed  Year,  45;  Death 
and  Idleness,  11.17:  Demosthenes,  32,  74,145,  166, 
2-33;  Deny  hi:,  206;  Despair,  185,  213;  Delight, 
173;  Despotism,  126;  Delivery,  150-8;  Dia- 
phragm, 10;  Devotion,  1-9;  Desire,  178;  Dia- 
tonic Scale,  34.  154  ;  Diphthongs,  31-2  ;  Discre- 

ion,  177;  Discovery  of  a  Beauty.  229  ;  Disobe- 

ience  to  Deceased  Parents,  227;  Dissimulation, 
2t)2 


95  ;  Difference  55,  04  ;  Difficulty,  201  ;  Discov- 
ery of  Glass,  7S;  Disease  of  the  Throat,  119; 
Disinterestedness,  158;  Diogenes,  17;  Dismiss- 
ing, 207  ;  Distraction,  207  ;  Dr.  Faustus  and  the 
Devil.  183;  Division  of  Prose  and  Poetry,  79, 
164  ;  Doctor  'm.  38  ■  Down  with  your  Dust,  141  ; 
Dot  sal  and  Abdominal  Muscles,  37;  Dr.  and  Pa- 
ver, 106;  Don't  know  him,  119;  Double  Mean- 
ing, 78;  Dotage,  207;  Don't  Swear,  208;  Dress, 
101;  Dramatic,  153;  Drunkard,  113;  Draco's 
Laws,  151  ;  Dyspepsia,  104  ;  Dueling,  122  ;  Du- 
ties, 30  ;  Dying  but  once,  Si;  Dynamics,  140-2; 
Dying  Christian,  123. 

E— its  Sounds,  21-2-4-9,  57-8,  17 ;  Eat  Bacon, 
203;  Ecstasy,  175;  Educators,  25;  Education,  18, 
25,  76,  143-7,  162,  180,  236;  Effects  of  Know- 
ledge, 138;  Effective  Style,  162  ;  Effects  of  Suc- 
cess, 204 ;  Eliza's  wise  Choice,  207  ;  Elocution, 
18.  28,  33-9,  45, 156  ;  Elocutionist,  37 :  Eloquence, 
126, 163-4  ;  Emmet's  Betrothed,  76  ;  End,  Cause, 
Effect,  124-8,  132;  Emphasis,  98,  US;  by  Stress, 
101-2-3:  by  Changing  it,  102-4-5:  by  higher  Pitch, 
106;  by  Quantity,  107-8-9;  by  a  Pause,  113; 
Enjoyment.  94  ;  Eau,  Ew,  25;  Enunciation,  61 ; 
Encouraging,  208;  Envy,  152;  Epitaph,  129;  En- 
vy and  Jealousy,  166  ;  Earnestness  of  Manner, 
151  ;  Error  and  Truth,  24;  Equality.  51;  Eter- 
nal Joy,  2S  ;  Eternal  Progress,  37  ;  Etiquette  of 
Stairs,  and  of  Riding,  191;  Evening  Bells,  27; 
Ethics,  106;  Eve's  Lament,  137;  Everything 
Useful,  214  ;  Eve,  233  ;  Experience,  87,  144  ;  Ex- 
clamation, 90 ;  Extemporizing,  138,  156;  Explo- 
sion and  Expulsion,  the  difference,  26,63;  Ex- 
tremes, 208 ;  Eyes,  228. 

F— its  Sounds.  12-3:  Face,  227;  Faults  in  Ar- 
ticulation, 43;  Fatigue, 209;  Far  West,  88 ;  Feet 
and  Hands.  11,  225-6.  23(1;  Female  Education, 
137;  Fear,  191  ;  Fisherman.  115;  Finishing  one's 
Studies,  07  :  Force  of  Habit,  115  ;  Folly  and  Wis- 
dom, 97;  Flying  from  and  to  the  Church,  117; 
Forehead,  232;  Free  to  do  Good,  192;  Freedom, 
28,  78;  Franklin's  Epitaph.  204;  Freedom  of 
Thought,  45;  Free  Schools,  173 ;  11  Sounds,  63; 
Frederick  the  Great,  47;  Friendship,  171  ;  Free- 
dom of  the  Press,  148;  Forming  Theories,  232; 
Fright,  183;  Fury.  180. 

G—  its  Sounds.  44-5-6  ;  Gambling.  153 ;  Gener- 
al Intelligence,  23;  Geography,  101;  Garrick 
175,  224; 'he  sat  for  Fielding's  portrait,  219; 
Gentleman  and  Tenant,  86;  Genius,  219;  Ges- 
tures, 231;  Gh,  42-5;  Giving,  Granting,  210; 
Glottis,  11;  Goblin  full  of  Wrath,  126;  Good 
Sense.  84  ;  Goodness  of  Providence,  81  ;  Good 
Works,  126;  Goldsmith's  Gold  Pill.  121;  Good 
Name,  128;  Good  Example.  149;  Government, 
116,  139;  Grand  Objects,  56;  Gradations,  50; 
Gratitude,  163,  211;  Gravity.  209:  Greek  and 
Irish,  101;  Great  Mistake,  2:jl ;  Grief.  184,  213; 
Grumblers,  151  ; 

H— 47.  62-3-5-8;  Half  Murder,  127;  Hamlet's 
Instructions  on  Delivery,  157;  Hands  and  Feet, 
11.  224-9;  Habits  of  Thought,  19  ;  Habits.  29; 
Hatred.  179.  182;  Happiness,  204;  Hard  Ques- 
tions. 223;  Harrison  and  Sunday  School  Teach- 
er. 41  ;  Half  Mourning.  61  ;  Hally  and  Newton, 
05;  Heart  and  Lungs,  10;  Head.  227:  Hanging 
for  Fashion's  Sake,  91  ;  Hearing  and  Speaking, 
168;  Heathens  going  to  Heaven,  133;  Historian, 
194;  Too  High  or  too  Low,  133;  Home,  11.  loo  ; 
Hope,  157,  178;  Honesty,  174;  Honor.  49.  193, 
209;  Howard,  59,  25,  226;  Hoarseness— Cause, 
and  Cure.  62;  Horticulture,  SS  ;  Holding  one's 
own.  lift;  Horace,  74;  How  to  Prize  good  For- 
tune. 209;  How  to  Succeed,  146.  236;  How  to 
get  rid  of  Admirers,  149;  How  to  produce  Sounds, 
18;  Human  Form  Clothed,  8;  Human  Nature, 
178;  Human  Testimony,  11;  Humbugs,  108; 
Humanity  Rewarded.  33. 

I— its  Sounds,  23-4:  21-2-9,  58;  Important 
Considerations,  73,  10c:  Ideas,  159;  Ignorance 
and  Error,  160-9:  and  Willfulness,  161  ;  Impa- 
tience,  210  ;  Importance  of  Early  Principles  1?8; 


318 


CONTENTS  OF  THE  PRINCIPLES  OF  ELOCUTION. 


Imagination,  16G  :  Inadequacy  of  Language,  85: 
Independence  Forever,  104, 132;  Indian  Virtue, 
235;  Injuring  Others,  205;  Inflections,  119,  125, 
169;  Inducing  Disease,  127;  Influence,  79,  160; 
Importance  of  Observation,  86;  Inconsistency, 
145;  Industry,  99,  164;  Innocent  and  Guilty,  28 ; 
In  the  Truth,  48;  Interrogation,  89;  Intellectual, 
71;  Intentions,  71;  Intuition,  157;  Invalids,  122; 
Involuntary  efforts,  99;  Investigation  of  Thought, 
190;  Irresolution,  172.217;  It  looked  so  Pretty, 
129. 

J — its  Sounds,  44, 5S;  Jaw  Breakers,  61,  and 
from  17 — G2  ;  Jealousy,  214.  224;  Joy,  173;  Jolly 
Laughter,  174;  Judging,  215;  Jury  and  the  Liar, 
120:  Justice,  92;  Just  Aristides,  134. 

K — iis  Sound,  37;  Keel  Hauling.  75:  Keeping 
Time  from  Eternity,  64;  King  and  his  Fool,  231 ; 
Kinds  of  Poetrv,  99;  King  of  Poland  in  France, 
207;  King's  Ev'il,  31 ;  Kingly  Dinner,  151 ;  Kings 
and  their  Trade,  156 ;  Kirwan,  27 ;  Known  by  the 
Fruits,  77 :  Kosciusko,  96. 

Ii— 48;  Labor,  72;  Language  (two  kinds).  21; 
Laconics,  often;  Law,  109;  Last  words  of  Mar- 
mion,  115:  Lafayette,  94;  Language  of  Feeling, 
222;  Laughing  Scientifically,  77;  Lawyer's  Hat, 
22;  Lawyers'  Mistake,  29  ;  Lawyer  and  Physi- 
cian, 90;  Lawyer  and  Client.  107,"  176;  Learning, 
143;  Legendary  Tales,  106;  Listening,  187:  Liv- 
ing Temples,  89:  Lisping.  36  ;  Logic,  156;  Loins 
of  the  Mind,  63  ;  Look  at  "Home.  175  ;  Lost  Purse, 
206;  Long  Enough.  49;  Lord  Thurlow's  Speech 
from  the  Woolsack,  200  ;  Love,  176.  187,  1S9,  217; 
Love  of  Justice.  186;  Love  and  Liberty,  140; 
Love  and  Alcohol,  125;  Love  on  the  Scaffold, 
232;  Love  and  the  Stars,  109:  Lovely  Qualities, 
233;  Luxury,  171;  Lying,  155;  Lycurgus,  51  ; 
Lyci  urns,  143. 

"M— 49;  Management  of  the  Breath,  97;  Man 
a  Microcosm,  68.203;  Making  Resolutions,  203; 
Madness,  231;  Making  Game  of  a  Lady,  113: 
Material  of  all  Sounds.  47;  Means  of  Happiness, 
95;  Mahomet  and  the  Hill,  112;  Malice.  216; 
Matter  and  Manner,  50,  131.  las,  161;  Mathe- 
matics, 54;  Mark  to  Hit,  113;  Means  of  getting 
a  Living,  105;  Mediums.  20-1 :  Male  and  Female 
Voices,  147;  Maxims,  everywhere  ;  Mercy.  177; 
Mathematical  Honor,  6s;  "Matrimony,  56;  Mel- 
ancholy. 216;  Means  to  be  used,  19;  Men  and 
Brutes.  38;  Merchants  and  Pigeons,  111;  Men- 
tal Violence,  57;  Mediocrity,  137;  Melody,  135-6; 
Miser,  87;  Mineralogy,  91;  Mirth,  174;  Minor 
Passions,  199;  Ministry  of  Angels.  171;  Mock 
Trial  of  a  King,  205;  Moon  Eclipsed.  93:  Mono- 
tone. 119:  Mourners,  187;  Movement  of  Voice, 
13^;  Modulation,  143-4;  Modes  of  Spelling,  67; 
Mother's  Injunction  and  Bible,  82:  Mouthing, 
116;  Mother  perishing  in  a  Snow  Storm.  Ill; 
Mother  and  Daughter  in  Prison,  185;  Modesty, 
21  *.  223;  Mouth,  229;  Mr.  Psalter.  36:  Music. 
101, 163.-4-5  ;  Mummy,  23;  Muscle  Breakers,  43, 
52,  and  among  the  Letters;  My  Mother,  210; 
Musical  Pun.  34;  Muscular  System,  7:  Muscular 
Action.  9,.  and  elsewhere  ;  Mutual  Mistake,  89. 

IV— 50-1 ;  Nature  always  True,  159.  205;  Nat- 
ural Theology,  90;  Nature  and  Art.  151 ;  Natu- 
ralists and  Realists.  137:  Narrow  Escape,  25  ; 
Natural  Philosophy.  25;  Natural  Death.  42;  Nat- 
ural and  Spiritual.  18;  Natural  History.  86  ;  Nail 
Fortune's  Wheel,  167:  Niagara  Falls,  167;  New 
Character,  99;  New  Field.  68;  Nerves  of  Or- 
ganic Life,  5— of  Motion  and  Sense,  6— of  Res- 
piration, 6:  Ng,  51;  Nobleman  and  Beggar  Boy. 
191;  Newton  and  his  Dog,  225;  Nothing  True 
but  Heaven,  189;  Nothing  from  Nothing,  167; 
Number.  155;  Nursery,  39. 

0-25-6-7;  19.  24-9,  30.  57;  Obeying  Orders. 
146;  Observe,  205;  Oi  and  Ov,  31 ;  Old  and  New 
Methods  of  Spelling,  65-6-7;  Old  Habits,  124; 
Only  way  to  teach  Reading,  169;  Only  Natural 
Sound.  1^;  and  Notes  on,  47;  One  Tongue 
enough,  43:  Opening  the  Mouth,  110;  Operating 
Circumstances,  162;  Oratory,  27,  74,  110.  156; 


Orator's  Field,  165 — how  they  are  made,  68 ;  Ori- 
gin of  Language,  66 ;  Oratorical  and  Poetical 
Actions  and  Gestures,  11,  12,  13,  14. 15,  16;  and 
from  172  onwards  ;  Orthography,  64-5-6-7,  81  ; 
One  Thing  at  a  Time,  114;  Orthoepy,  81  ;  Ou, 
26  ;  Ou  and  Ow,  32  ;  Osseus  or  Bony  System,  7  ; 
Our  Country,  151 ;  Our  Food,  31 ;  Our  Book,  237; 
Ourselves  and  others,  43;  Our  Sight,  134. 

P— 52 :  Parenthesis,  91 ;  Party  Spirit,  35  ;  Pa- 
tience and  Perseverance,  42;  Patrick  Henry's 
Treason,  143;  Passions  and  Actions,  170-1,  206, 
212;  Pardoning,  217;  Patience  won't  have  me, 
06;  Parish  Clerk  and  the  Banns,  81;  Painting, 
203;  Painter  and  the  King,  92;  Patriots,  133; 
Pelayo,  186  ;  Pauses,  85,  &c:  Period,  88;  Perse- 
verance, 146  ;  Perplexity,  217;  Peter  the  Great 
217;  Peter  Pricker  Prundle,  52;  Philosophy  of 
Mind,  98,  123,  &x.;  Philosopher  Outdone,  195; 
Philosophy,  121  ;  Physiological  Ignorance.  203; 
Phrenology.  228:  Philosophy  and  Love.  57;  Play 
on  Words,  174 ;  Perspiration,  &c,  8 ;  Pitch,  123, 
143^-7;  Pitt,  31,  8-8;  Ph,  42-3;  Pleasures  of 
Piety,  217;  Plato,  17;  Play  on  X's,  56;  Poor 
Priest  and  the  King  at  Prayer,  208;  Political 
Economy,  111 ;  Position  of  Body,  17;  Polyglot  of 
Body  and  Mind.  230;  Poisoned  Cup  and  Cyrus; 
18S;  Pioneers,  150;  Position  in  Bed.  79;  Polite- 
ness, 142;  Polyr.arp  and  his  Lord,  153;  Poor 
Fund,  200  ;  Point  of  Law.  132 ;  Pope  and  the  t, 
159:  Pots  and  all  gone.  173;  Principles  of  Elo- 
cution, from  17 — 237;  Prejudice,  140;  Precept 
and  Example,  141 ;  Precipitancy,  62;  Pride,  154, 
218,  219;  Prize  of  Immortality,"  184;  Preceding 
Principles,  125,  &c;  Position  of  Feet  and  Hands, 
11  :  Progress  of  Society,  119  ;  Prayer  to  the  Con- 
gregation, 39  ;  Proverbs  on  every  page  ;  Prom- 
ises. 124 ;  Promising,  219 ;  Principal  and  Inter- 
est, 59;  Powerful  Stimulus.  145;  Punning,  172; 
Pronunciation,  81,  84;  Provincialisms,  83;  Pro- 
longation of  Sound,  70.  73:  Providence,  117;  Pi- 
ty. 177,  225,  83  ;  Public  Speakers  should  live  long- 
est, 149;  Pursuit  of  Knowledge,  168;  Pupil  and 
Apprentice.  46  ;  Pulpit  and  Theatres.  132;  Punc- 
tual Hearers,  139;  Punishments,  218;  Pulpit 
Flatterv,  189;  Punaent  Preaching,  212. 

Q,— 37;  Quack,  82:  Qualifications  of  Teach- 
ers, 20:  Quaker  Presents,  199:  Qualities.  22: 
Quantity,  70:  Qualities  of  Voice,  140,  142  :  Qua- 
ker and  Soldier,  12d:  Question  Direct,  89: 
Queen's  Reprimand  to  her  Daughter,  224: 
Queen  Elizabeth  and  her  Ladies,  195:  Quinc- 
tillian,  229. 

R— 53-4  :  Rainbow.  175:  Ranges  of  Voice, 
134  :  Raising  Rent,  70 :  Kage,  180 :  Rapture,  173  : 
Reading.  33,  57,  103,  120:  Reading  Rooms,  46: 
Range  of  Knowledge,  66:  Railery,  192,  220; 
Reasoning,  202:  Recitations,  166  :  from  237— 316: 
Recipients,  32:  Reading  by  vowel  sounds,  33: 
Religions  Persecutions  187:  Reading  Discours- 
es, 71 :  Remorse  184.  220:  Refusing,"  219 :  Rea- 
son, 131,  227:  Reproach,  182:  Reproving,  221: 
Revision,  117:  Refinement,  93:  Rhetoric.  156: 
Rhetorical  Pause,  92,  108:  Rhetorical  Action, 
234:  Reforms  164:  Riches  and  Talent,  132: 
Right  Views,  8P:  Rythm,  96:  Rhymetry  and 
the  Queen,  123  Roila's  Address  to  the  Peru- 
vians, 153:  Rhyme,  167:  Rose,  72:  Revenge, 
181 :  Ruined  Debtor's  satisfaction,  179:  Rum  and 
Grave  Stones,  44  :  Rouge,  168:  Routes,  216. 

S— 36-8-9,  42,  46  :  Sadness  and  Sorrow,  186 : 
Safe  now,  222:  Satan's  Speech,  169:  Saving 
Fuel,  20  :  Sailor  and  Countess'  Eyes,  35  :  Sailor 
and  Highwayman,  114  :  Semi-colon,  86:  Science, 
114:  Scientific  Enthusiasm,  181:  Servile  Imita- 
tion. 1S2:  Seasons,  28:  Selfishness,  128,  163: 
Scorn,  190,  222:  Seeing  Right,  220:  Seeing  a 
Wind,  23:  Self-love,  73:  Sea  Lawyers,  77: 
Sense  governs,  129:  Sheridan,  107:  Shouting, 
115:  School  Teachers,  130:  Sight  Reading,  57: 
Skips  and  Slides.  167:  Shame,  223:  Schoolmas- 
ter and  Pupils,  43:  Sharp  Reply,  163:  Slander, 
139:   Slender  Voice,  155:  Sinking  in  the  Sto- 


CONTENTS  OF  READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


319 


mach,  92 ;  Sounds,  22;  Simple  Laughter,  192 ;  Simple  Bodily  Fain, 
195 ;  Speculation  like  a  Cold  Bath,  144  ;  Strong  Points,  106 ;  Stand- 
in?.  22;  Starry  Firmament  [Addison],  46;  Strength  of  Voice,  145; 
Society  owes  all  a  Living,  63;  Sources  of  Faults,  235;  Socrates 
and  the  Tyrants,  108  I .  luntlet,  1 16 ;  Student's  Poe- 

try. Ufa;  Sommarfield  and  the  Bishop,  13S ;  Standard  of  Speakinsr, 
-.  151— <J,  ICO— 1—2;  Stress, 
22;  Striking  out  Beauties,  177  ;  Stage 
Regulator,  ITS;  Sowing  and  Reaping,  180;  Suggestions,  154,235; 
Surmise,  215;  Suspicion,  221;  Stupidity,  30;  Stretch  of  Thought, 
231;  Spinsters,  54;  Successful  Speaker,  128;  Swiss  Retort,  127; 
Swearing  King,  103;  Standing,  22;  Swearing,  167;  Surprise,  188, 
-  en,  170. 
T— 39,41;  Ta  Wonder,  226 ;  Tallow  and 

Talent,  158;  Telling  Stories,  78 ;  To  teach  Children,  109;  Tele- 
'    •  or,   188    225,231;  Temperance,  I9S;  Teaching, 
lay,  19;  Tendency  of  our  Language,  157;  Theatres, 
174;  Thinking,  175;  Thought  and  Feeling,  114;  Thats,  49;  This- 
,    rrue  Wisdom,  34;  Triphthongs,  32:  Three  Essen- 
tials in  all  things,  51 :  Th,  60—1 ,  True  Empire,  76  :  Three  De- 
grees of  S|  -  modes  of  Eiistence,  121:   Thorax, 
9:  Tight  Dressing,  9:  These  are  my  Jewels,  136:  Time  in  Man, 
166:  Truth,  171,  192:  True  Happiness,  172:   This  World,  202: 
how,  189;  True  Eloquence,  209:  To  acta  Passion,  212: 
Too  comm  >n,  221 :  True  Modesty,  21 :  To  and  The,  57 :  Tough 
79:  Truths  not  Fictions,  170:  Too  hard,  142:  Truth  and 
Nature,  130:  To  prevent  Suicide,  10S:  Turn  Bread  into  Stones, 
202 :  Tyrolese  Songs,  234 :  Transition,  146  :  True  Philosophy,  135  : 
To  succeed,  146:  Tremor  of  Voice,  156  :  Try  again,  156:  Tran- 


quillity, 172 :  Tweedledum  and  Tweedledee,  228 :  The  Feet,  174  : 
Twilight  Dews,  193:  Thou  art,  0  God,  188:  The  Rose,  72:  The 
Union,  55. 

V— 28-9,  30,  22,  24,  55,  58:  Ugly  Dreams,  165:  Unaccented 
Vowels,  75  :  Uncertain  quantity  of  Wine,  62  :  Unwelcome  Visitor, 
7  1  :  t  -  of  Spelling,  68. 

V — 13 :  Vanity  Reproved,  162  :  Vain  Mother,  5S :  Varieties  on 
every  page:  Veneration,  189,  22i> :  Ventriloquism,  60:  Vehemence 
of  Action,  232  :  Views  of  Truth,  211:  Virtue  the  best  Treasure,  222: 
Virtue  before  Riches,  160 :  Virtuous  Friendship,  237 :  Vexation, 
227  :  Voice,  166 ;  Vocal  Organs,  1 1  ;  Vocal  Gymnastics,  23. 

YV— 55,  26  ;  Warren's  Address  at  the  Battle  of  Bunker  Hill, 
paraphrased,  57  ;  War  and  Truth,  90 ;  Washington  and  Mother, 
194  ;  and  W.  and  the  U.  S.,  100 ;  Wh,  62 ;  What  is  Ours,  6 1 ;  Wet 
Minister,  IS  ;  What  a  Bug  1  226  ;  Waves  or  Circumflexes,  130—3 ; 
Weeping  Emperor,  218  ;  What  the  Youth  had  learned„115  ;  Who 
is  wrong  in  the  Argument,  122;  What  for?  150;  We  love  them 
so,  60  ;  Who  rules  ?  53 ;  Whitfield  Rambling,  50 ;  Wm.  Perm,  37  ; 
Wirt,  150;  Windpipe,  &c,  11;  Wife,  153;  Wild  Oats,  19;  Win 
gs,  62;  Wisdom  of  our  Ancestors,  129:  Weeping,  194 
William  and  Lucy,  194:  Word  Painting,  95,  139,  142:  Whipped 
for  making  Rhymes,  191 :  Words,  20:  Worth,  65  :  Woman,  75, 
133,  136,  152  :  Wonder,  188,  226:  Woman  as  she  should  be,  32  : 
Working  a  Passage,  98  :  Wrong  Choice,  47 :  Written  Language, 
53 — 4:  World  not  all  a  fleeting  show,  85  :  Written  Page,  230. 

X— Pages  56,  57,  63,  64,  65,  and  3S. 

Y— Pages  58,  22,  23,  24,  29,  63,  64. 

Z— Pages  38,  46.  63,  67  :  Zo-ol-o-gy,  7,  104. 


CONTENTS  OF  READINGS  AND  RECITATIONS. 


A — Accomplished  Young  Lady,261  ;  Adams  and  Jefferson.  273 ; 
Advantages  of  Knowledge,  291  ;  Adherence  to  Truth,  270 ;  Against 
the  American  War, 243;  Alexander  Selkirk  [Cowperl.  295;  Alex- 
ander's Feast,  315;  Alexander  at  Olvmpia  Games,  230;  Antony's 
Oration  over  Caesar.  252;  America,  277,  280;  American  Flag,  288; 
Aspirations  of  Youth,  246;  Atheist  and  Acom,  250. 

B — Baron's  Last  Ranquet,  2S9 ;  Basque  Girl,  or  Love's  Sacrifice, 
SI3:  Balance  of  Happiness,  239 :  Battle  Field,  212;  Battle  of  Wa- 
terloo, 264 ;  Beggar's  Petition,  275 :  Benefits  of  Agriculture,  288 ; 
Beauties  of  Nature,  302 ;  Best  Cure  lor  Trouble,  300 ;  Best  of 
Wives,  314  ;  Burr  and  Rlaunerhassert,  26S ;  Brutus'  Harangue  on 
the  death  of  Cxsar,  261;  Burial  of  Sir  John  Moore,  242;  By- 
ron's Apostrophe  to  the  Ocean,  263. 

C — Cato's  Senate,  276  :  his  Soliloquy,  310  ;  Cassius  against  Cae- 
sar, 2 12  ;  Character  of  Woman,  248  ;  of  Pitt,  297 ;  of  Bonaparte, 
302;  Changing  and  Unchanging,  239;  Chestnut  Horse.  249;  Char- 
ity, 261 ;  Cicero  against  Verres,  30s  :  Constancy  of  Woman,  295 ; 
Coral  Grove,  260 ;  Cure  for  Hard  Times,  285. 

D— David's  Lament  over  Absalom  [Willis],  266;  Darkness  [Bv- 

ron],  258:  Deserted  Wife,  304  ;   Dew  Drop  291 ;  Destruction  of 

[Byron],  240  ;  Dignity  of  Human  Nature,  305  ; 

Disappointed  Ambition,  240  ;  Doctor  and  his  hopeful  Pupil,  293  ; 

Duty  of  American  Citizens,  311 ;  Douglas'  Account  of  himself,  244. 

E— Education,  278;  Emmet's  Vindication,  in  full,  306  ;  Eulo- 
gium  on  the  South  (Hayne),  254 ;  Do.  on  the  North  1,  Webster,) 
254:  Eulogium  on  Kosciusko,  298 ;  Eve's  Love  for  Adam,  294; 
Exile  of  Enn,  273;  Eyes,  279. 

F— Fall  of  Beauty,  314;  Fancied  Infallibility,  238;  Female 
Character,  295;  Fever  Dream,  265;  Fireside  Happiness,  285; 
Flight  of  Xerxes,  241 ;  Fortune  Teller.  282;  Footsteps  of  Angels, 
278  ;  Freeman,  301 ;  Frenchman  and  his  Host,  281. 

•or— Gaml  lert  Wife,  257 ;  Goodness  of  God.  256 ;  Games,  259; 

Ginerra,  or  Lost  Bride  (Rogers).  272  :  Gentleness,  246  ;  Genuine 

2-i, ;  Good  Night  (Sands),  282;  Groves 

God's  first  Ten,;  lev    Bn  ant ),  283  ;  Grave  of  the  Renowned,  310; 

Greek  Literature,  287. 

H— Hannibal  to  his  Soldiers,  247;  Home,  313;  Human  Life, 
809.    Hypocrite  (Pollok),  273. 

1—  Immortality  of  the  Soul  [Addison),  238;  Indian  Language, 

Vluid,  257 ;  Improvement  of  the  Mind,  248 ;   En. 

~.  24S ;   Influence  ot  the  Wise  and  Good,  309  ;  Infant 

in  a  Garden,  239;  Industry  and  Eloquence,  301 ;  Invalid 

Abroad,  252. 

J— John  Adams'  Speech,  on  adopting  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence, 245 ;  Justice,  240. 

li— Land  or  Rest,  278;  Landing  of  the  Pilgrim  Fathers,  311 ; 
Lay  of  the  Madman,  300 ;  Liberty  and  Union,  255  ;  Life  is  Real, 
305;  Life  of  a  Drunkard,  283 ;  Lord  DUin's  Daughter,  290;  Loch- 
invar  ( Scott ;,  297 ;  Locke,  293 ;  Loss  of  National  Character.  282 ; 
Lucv.  307.  '        ' 

M— Maid  of  Malahide,  267 ;  Maniac,  a  scene  in  a  Private  Mad- 


house (Lewis),  270;  Maria  taking  the  Vail,  314;  Maria  (Cole- 
ridge), 316  ;  Marco  Bozzarris,  267  ;  Majesty  of  the  Law,  293  ;  Ma- 
ternal Affection,  303;  Military  Insubordination  (Clay),  271 ,  Mod- 
ulation, 2S5 ;  Moloch's  Oration  for  War.  30S ;  Marseilles  Hvmn 
of  Liberty,  292;  Moonlight  and  Battlefield,  255;  My  Country, 
250  ;  Moral  Effects  of  Intemperance,  240 ;  Mother's  Love,  237. 

N—  National  Glory,  241 ;  National  Union, 250  :  Natural  Histo- 
ry of  Love,  264  ;  Nature's  Wants  are  few,  2S4  ;  Nature  of  True 
Eloquence,  286;  Needle  (Wood worth ),  272;  Night  Scene  in 
Turkey,  246  :  New  Fear,  279  ;  No  excellence  without  Labor,  305; 
Nobility  of  Labor,  266;  Nose  aud  the  Man,  265. 

O— Ode  on  the  Passions  (Collins),  249 ;  Ode  for  the  4th  of  July, 
316;  Of  Elocution,  244;  Old  Oaken  Bucket  (  Wood  worth),  256  ; 
Old  Hat,  296;  Orator  Puff,  315;  Ossian's  Address  to  the  Moon, 
241  ;  Do.  to  the  Sun,  244  ;  Othello's  Apology  for  Marrviu»,  296  . 
Our  Country,  240 ;  Our  Toils  and  their  Reward,  23S.     " 

P— Parts  of  the  Whole,  238;  Parrhasius  and  the  Olynthian  Cap- 
tive (Willis),  274;  Patrick  Henry's  Speech,  setting  in  motion  the 
ball  of  the  Revolution,  277  ;  Passing  the  Rubicon,  290;  Passage 
of  the  Red  Sea  (Heber),  286;  Patriotic  Triumph.  263;  Peace 
and  War  contrasted,  I  Hall )  257 ;  Perfect  Orator,  279  :  Perry's  Vic- 
tory on  Lake  Erie,  260 ;  Physical  Education,  2S4 ;  Philosophy  and 
Religion,316;  Pilgrims  and  their  Destiny, 312  ;  Plny-placeof  early 
days,  276  ;  Political  Corruption,  310 ;  Power  of  Eloquence  (Carey), 
280 ;  Press  on,  246  ;  Pride  of  Profession,  316  ;  Progress  of  Liberty, 
256  ;  of  Government,  290 ;  Public  Faith,  309. 

Q^Queen  Mab  (Shakspeare),  289. 

R — Razor  Seller.  271 ;  Rainy  Day,  239 :  Rejected.  304 ;  Respect 
to  Old  Age,  282  ;  Recitations,  instead  of  Theatres  iDr.  Channing), 
264:  Resurrection  of  the  Lord  (Hardie),  292  ;  Richard  IIL,  304  ; 
Right  of  Free  Discussion  (Webster),  256. 

S— Sailor  Boy's  Dream,  262 ;  Serpent  of  the  Still,  253:  She  walks 
in  Beauty  (Bvron),  238;  Ship,  241  ;  Slander,  260,  291.  311;  Soul's 
Defiance,  286  ;  Speech  of  Belial,  275 ;  of  Cataline,  293  ;  Spirit  of 
British  Law,  271 ;  Star  of  Bethlehem,  294  ;  Stag  Chase  .scon),  284; 
Stream  of  Life,  296  ;  Sublimity  of  Mountain  Scenery,  250;  Swear- 
ing nobly  reproved,  193. 

T— Talents  always  Ascendant,  269 ;  Thanatopsis  (Bryant),  287 ; 
Thunder  Storm  on  the  Alps,  303 ;  Three  Black  Crows.  259  :  The 
Whiskers,  243  ;  The  Hermit  (Beattie),  247  ;  The  Murderer  Kuapp 
( Webster),  251 ;  Tit  for  Tat,  or  Coquetry  Punished  ( Woodworth), 
263;  Tribute  to  Penn,  312;  Do.  to  Washington,  287;  T  Man-  in 
Heaven  (Burns),  303  ;  To-day  and  To-morrow,  307 ;  True  Friend- 
ship, 260. 

V— Victim  Bride  and  Miser  (Harrison),  291 ;  Village  Black- 
smith  (Longfellow),  299;  Vulture  and  Captive  Infant,  217. 

W— Way  to  be  Happy,  278  ;  Wilderness  of  Mind  [Osborne], 
258  ;  Wife,  Children  and  Friends.  [Spenser],  279  ;  Woolsey's  Solil- 
oquy on  Ambition,  312;  World  at  a  Distance  [Cowper],  253; 
World  to  Come,  280. 

Y— Youth  and  Age,  289. 


320 


See  the  third  page. 


References  and   Testimonials. 

Extract  —From  the  Faculty  of  the  Hanover  Col 
lege,  la.  Having  attended  Prof.  Bronson's  prelec- 
tions to  the  students  of  this  College,  in  the  art  of 
Elocution,  we  take  great  pleasure  in  bearing  testi 
mony,  no  less  to  his  laborious  fidelity  to  his  pupils 
than  to  the  soundness  of  his  principles,  and  his  own 
thorough  acquaintance  with  the  subject  he  professes 
to  teach.  Mr.  Bronson  is  no  charletan  in  his  pro- 
fession. Not  content  with  communicating  abstract 
knowledge,  nor  with  exhibiting  his  own  power  of 
applying  that  knowledge,  his  great  aim  seems  to  be 
— to  make  the  student  a  practical  Elocutionist.  We 
most  cheerfully  recommend  him  to  the  patronage 
of  an  enlightened  public  ;  and,  especially,  to  the 
patrons  of  public  Institutions  of  Learning. 

Extract  —From  the  Committee  of  the  classes  at 
Princeton  Theological  Seminary.  We  lake  plea- 
sure in  expressing  our  approbation  of  the  principles 
of  Prof.  Bronson's  system,  and  the  manner  in 
which  he  inculcates  them  in  his  practical  Lectures, 
His  model  is  nature  ;  and  therefore,  his  primary 
object  is  to  bring  into  active  operation  all  those  or- 
gans which  nature  designed  to  be  employed  in  the 
production  of  vocal  sounds.  This  object  once  at 
tained,  the  beneficial  consequences,  which  follow 
are  numerous  ;  and,  to  the  Public  Speaker,  inval- 
uable. Articulation  becomes  easy  and  distinct,  the 
voice  acquires  increased  clearness,  strength,  flexi- 
bility and  compass ;  and  exhaustion,  arising  from 
protracted  vocal  labor,  is  avoided  ;  together  with 
vnflamationof  the  lungs,  and  bronchitis— those 
fearful  forms  of  disease,which  darken  the  prospects 
and  curtail  the  usefulness  of  so  many  at  the  present 
day.  Mr.  B's  oral  instruction  is  entirely  practical, 
and  well  calculated  to  verify  the  truth  of  his  theory. 
We  all  join  in  expressing  our  high  approbation  of 
his  system,  and  our  firm  convieiion  that  it  is  well 
worthy  the  attention  of  all  who  aim  at  becomin; 
Rood  Singers,  Readers,  or  public  Speakers. 

Extract. — From  the  Classes  in  the  Miami  Uni- 
versity, Ohio.  We  take  pleasure  in  expressing  our 
entire  satisfaction  with  him  as  a  teacher,  and  of  his 
mode  of  instruction.  By  this  analysis  and  exposi- 
tion of  the  elementary  principles  of  language,  he 
places  within  the  hands  of  his  pupils  a  Key  to  their 
faults,  together  with  a  definite  mode  of  correcting 
them,  and  guiding  their  further  efforts  to  improve 
in  the  art  of  Elocution.  By  his  faithful  attention, 
he  has  succeeded  in  giving  entire  satisfaction  to  all 
who  have  attended  his  Lectures.  Being  convinced 
that  his  plan  is  founded  upon  correct  philosophical 
principles,  and  is  adequate  to  the  accomplishment 
of  its  professed  object,— and  having  every  con 
fidence  in  his  capability  and  faith  fullness,  we  cheer 
fully  recommend  Prof.  Bronson  to  all  to  whom  he 
may  offer  his  services,  as  a  competent  teacher  of 
Elocution. 

Extract. — From  some  of  the  Professors  in 
Rutger's  College,  New  Brunswick,  N.  J. — Having 
attended  Professor  Bronson's  Course  of  Lectures, 
we  cheerfully  bear  witness  to  his  competency  and 
faithfulness  as  an  instructor;  and  are  well  satis- 
fied that  his  system  of  discipline,  if  duly  followed 
up,  cannot  fail  to  impart  distinctness  of  articula- 
tion, with  an  easy  and  impressive  elocution. 

Extract  — From  the  students  of  Jefferson  Col- 
lege, Canonsburgh,  Pa. — We  take  this  opportunity 
of  expressing  our  approbation  of  Prof.  Bronson's 
system,  and  of  his  capability  to  instruct  others  in 
this  most  important  art.  He  is  a  perfect  master  of 
all  he  teaches,  and  the  principles  on  which  he  bases 
his  instructions  are  so  accordant  with  Philosophy 
and  common  sense,  as  to  recommend  them  to  the 
approval  of  every  admirer  of  elegant  enunciation 
either  in  Reading  or  Oratory.  We  recommend 
him  to  all  persons  who  feel  desirious  of  acquiring 
the  art  of  Reading  and  Speaking  with  science  and 
effect. 

From  the  Mercantile  Journal,  Boston.  We  have 
no  doubt  but  that  Prof.  Bronson  is  master  of  his 


subject;  his  instructions  are  of  vast  importance  to 
public  speakers.  His  appearance,  his  manner,  his 
voice,  and  his  mode  of  treating  the  subject  of  Elo- 
cution, are  altogether  original.  His  Recitations  are 
well  done,  and  give  an  agreeable  variety  to  the  Lec- 
tures. His  Instructions  must  prove  of  immense 
value. 

Extract — From  the  Lexington,Ky.  Intelligencer. 
Reader,  do  you  ever  spend  money  for  spertluities, 
such  as  balls,  circuses,  menageries  or  theatres  1  II 
so,  we  are  not  going  quarrel  with  you,  or  criticise 
yourtaste.  But  we  are  about  to  say,  that  asource 
of  amusement,  cheaper,  more  intellectual,  more 
decidely  improving,  and  at  the  same  time  unques- 
tionably innocent  and  entertaining,  is  presented  in 
the  Lectures  on  Elocution  and  Music  now  in  pro- 
gress by  Professor  Bronson. 

Prof.  Bronson  is  evidently  master  of  his  profes- 
sion :  he  not  only  understands  Oratory  theoretically 
and  practically,  but  possesses  a  most  happy  faculty 
of  teaching  it.  Those  who  are  fond  of  splendid 
specimens  of  Elocution  should  not  fail  of  attending 
these  Lectures.  The  knowledge  obtained  from  this 
iystem  is  especially  necessary  for  Mothers,  and 
those  who  have  the  training  of  children,  or  the 
teaching  of  vocal  music. — Daily  Democrat,  (Ro- 
chester,) N.  Y. 

The  mere  announcement  of  Prof.  Bronson's  Lec- 
tures and  Recitations,  will  be  sufficient,  in  Trenton, 
to  draw  a  large  audience. — N.  J.  State  Gazette. 

Among  the  professors  of  Elocution  of  the  present 
day,  perhaps  no  one  has  attained  the  fame  of  Mr. 
Bronson.  He  understands  the  art  of  speaking  theo- 
retically and  practically— medically  and  philolo- 
gically — in  every  shape  and  in  every  form.  Such 
varied  qualifications  as  he  possesses  are  rarely 
found,  and  all  who  read  the  Herald  should  hear 
him.— N.   Y  Herald. 

Professor  Bronson's  lectures  have  been  listened 
to  by  crowded  audiences.  He  has  been  compelled, 
for  want  of  room  to  leave  Masonic  Hall,  and  occu- 
py the  Westminister  Street  Chapel. — Prov.  R.  I. 
Journal. 

Extract. — From  a  letter  by  Mr.  LOWELL 
MASON,  Boston,  a  celebrated  composer  and  tea- 
cher of  Music. 

"  As  far  as  I  can  judge  of  your  principles,  I  ap- 
prove ;  they  appear  to  me  to  be  founded  in  truth 
and  nature.  I  have  introduced  something  of  your 
system  into  my  classes.  Knowing  what  I  now 
know,  I  should  certainly  give  the  money  right  over 
again  for  the  knowledge  1  acquired;  yes,  double, 
were  it  necessary.  Could  I  command  the  time  I 
should  like  to  pursue  the  study  much  longer  with 
you  ;  but  what  I  have  already  acquired  I  consider 
highly  important,  and  you  have  my  thanks  as  well 
as  my  MONEY.  " 

Extract. — From  the  Journal  of  Commerce,^ Y. 
Mr.  Bronson  ir,  certainly  one  of  the  most  original 
and  entertaining  men  with  whom  we  meet.  He 
treats  on  all  matters  relating  to  sound,  and  its  or- 
gans, and  illustrates  his  principles  by  examples  of 
singing  and  rhetorical  rehearsal  of  a  high  charac 
ter. 

The  Recitations  of  Prof.  Bronson  were  received 
with  great  satisfaction,  by  one  of  the  largest  assets 
blies  that  we  have  ever  seen  in  College  Hall.  Ni. 
author  need  ask  more,  than  to  have  the  delicate 
touches  of  his  fancy,  and  the  hidden  meaning  of  his 
thought,  brought  out  by  the  professor. — Cincin- 
nati Daily  Gazette. 

Prof.  Bronson's  Lectures  and  Recitations  have 
been  received  with  decided  favor  in  almost  every 
City  in  the  Union,  and  in  our  principal  Towns  and 
and  Literary  Institutions.  We  heard  him  somo 
years  since,  and  derived  much  instructions  andpro« 
fit  from  his  original  theory  of  the  Human  Voice ;  of 
the  means  of  strengthening  and  perfecting  it,  and  of 
curing  the  prevalent  diseases  of  the  vocal  organs 
Bronchitis,  &c.    N.  Y.  Daily  'tribune. 


